Conference on Employment &Disabled Women

PRESS RELEASE: May 20, 1999                             
Conference on Employment & Disabled Women
Contact: World Institute on Disability: 510 251 4326: Fax: 510 763 4109;
email:Kathy@wid.org

A conference on "Strategies to Increase Employment of Women with
Disabilities" will take place August 5-7, 1999 on San Antonio's famous
River Walk at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel. The three day meeting will
feature a combination of story-telling and tips by disabled women who have
either succeeded in mainstream employment or started their own businesses
and working sessions focused on problem-solving in specific aspects of
obtaining, retaining, advancing in or creating employment. 

The conference is being organized as a collaborative effort of the World
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation International, contracted by the
Social Security Administration and Department of Education. The employment
meeting will immediately follow an August 2-5 conference on "Promoting the
Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities," organized by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Joint sessions to discuss cross-over
issues between health concerns and employment will be held on August 5 and
registration for both conferences is being handled by the World Institute
on Disability.

Employment Focuses
In recognition of current studies demonstrating that disabled women are
still not a significant presence in the labor force, the San Antonio
meeting will focus on:
* utilizing the Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS) program to
transition from benefits to work
* introduction to small business planning
* identifying and working with mentors
* knowing your rights in the employment process
* self-assessment for employment
* job-seeking strategies, including the internet
* career planning
* services and programs available for women seeking employment or career
advancement
* dressing for success & improvement of interview skills
* peer support approaches to employment
* the employer's viewpoint and
* resources and services available from government agencies

In addition, the program will feature a cyber cafe, an assistive technology
demonstration, a talent celebration and opportunities for one-on-one
consultations with mentors, employment specialists and technology and
internet experts. Other agencies supporting the project include the
Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health &
Human Services, the National Council on Disability and the President's
Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Conference fee is $150
if received by July 31 and $200 thereafter. Contact Kathy Martinez at WID
for details and information about scholarships.

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