Accessible Technology: From Recruitment to HR Management...Online Applications can eliminate people from participating Video below: Trained Staff Equates to Better Understanding of

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Seeking Inclusion for Everyone RequiringReasonableAccommodation

#DisabilityInclusionOnTheRise

Accessible Technology: From Recruitment to HR Management

Moderator: Janet Fiore, C.,D.R.President, Chief Executive Officer, The Sierra Group

Mobile: [email protected]

Seth G. Acosta, MS, CESP, C.,D.R.Chief Operating Officer, The Sierra Group

Mobile: [email protected]

Casmir (Cas) UsiatynskiDirector, Productivity Engineering at SourceAmerica

[email protected]

Accommodations Expert Janet D. Fiore, President/CEO

• A national authority on disability, diversity & compliance policy & procedure

• Media coverage: Forbes, Inc. Magazine, SHRM, Business Journal, TLNT

• Advocate on the Hill, testified before Congress, over 300 visits to US and State & Administration Leadership, championed a hiring preference bill that passed the US Senate

• A social entrepreneur, person with numerous disabilities, accommodations expert with over 10,000 successful workplace solutions, creator of RecruitDisability.org & DisabilityRecruiter© Certification.

Highlighted Corporate clients include:

• Aetna• FedEx

• Capital One• Toyota• Verizon Media• American Water• Northrup Grumman, Comcast• Tiffany & Company and more!

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mailto:[email protected]



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Accommodations Expert Seth G. Acosta, MS, C.,D.R., CESP, COO

• Highly motivated expert and advocate for people with disabilities; Evaluated and completed over 3,500 workplace accommodations

• Past President and active member of the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Association; Certified Employment Support Professional and Certified Disability Recruiter, SHRM Member

• Advanced degree; day-to day practitioner of strategic leadership in disability

• Attributes: Speaker, Consultant, Organizational Expert and Business Development specialist

Specialized Skills:

• Assistive Technology

• Workplace Productivity & Inclusion

• Curriculum Development/Delivery

• Job Placement/Retention Professional

Casmir (Cas) UsiatynskiDirector, Productivity Engineering - SourceAmerica

• Highly skilled Productivity Engineer, Innovator, and Trainer with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry for people with disabilities.

• 25 years of experience successfully putting people with severe and profound disabilities to work, • Past Program Manager of Rehabilitation Engineering at National Industries for the Blind ( 6 ½

years)• Past Director of Engineering and Special Services at Oswego Industries (15 years), • Advanced degree from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and studied Human Disabilities at

Syracuse University.

• Attributes: Innovator, Consultant, Trainer, Accommodation Expert, and Creative Lean Specialist.

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Who We Are:• SourceAmerican(SA) is part of the AbilityOne program.

• SA provides employment to 40,000 people with disabilities at 450

agencies around the United States.

• The SourceAmerica Productivity Engineering (PE) program, established in 2005, is a comprehensive program that encompasses

several disciplines such as:

• Process engineering

• Industrial engineering

• Software design

• Mechanical engineering

• With the added component of Rehabilitation

• We strive to recommend and implement simple practical tools and solutions to help improve accommodation and productivity.

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Scope of Services(Specific to Global)

• Job accommodation

• Jig and fixture design

• Ergonomics and Safety

• Training/Education (Staff and Employee)

• Process Optimization/LEAN

• Progress tracking & Follow-up



INCLUSION literally begins with the Job Application Process – Is YOURS inclusive?

Review recruitment tools for compatibility with work related impairments:

Recruitment Tools

• Paper Applications

• Job Fairs

• Employment Kiosks

• Online Job Boards

Work Related Impairments

• Sensory

• Intellectual

• Cognitive

• Physical

• Mental Health

• Chronic Disease

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Inclusive Job Application Process

Learn this and more via The Sierra Group’s online DisabilityRecruiter© Certification Video below:

Observations for Success

▪ The capability to improve a person’s productivity is directly proportional to the enhancement of the person’s abilities through training, job accommodation and process optimization.

▪ Success on a job is strongly influenced by the acceptance and engagement of peers. Encouraging and training co-workers what to expect and disability simulation can be highly effective.

▪ Most accommodations can be simple and very economical. They not only improve productivity but improve job satisfaction and increase a persons worth or purpose on a job.

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Online Applications can eliminate people from participating

Video below:

Trained Staff Equates to Better Understanding of Employees and Enhanced Productivity

• Example of a “Workstation Quick Solutions Training” -- Quick, practical, introductory training for staff to assess and set up workstations so agency personnel learn the barriers faced by persons with multiple disabilities and how better to work with them to improve their productivity.

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Simple AccommodationsPhysical Ergonomics

• Ergonomic neutral• Elbow hanging

• Forearm out straight

• Look for jobs being done out of ergonomic neutral

What would you do?Rubber Band Packaging - before

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Rubber Band Packaging - after

Jigs and Fixtures

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WHY bother?

• It’s the Right thing to Do

• It makes Business Sense

• It’s the LAW

Pen Disability Activity• Break into groups of 3-4

• Take pen that has been given to you.

• Step away from any Tables

• Everyone will have assigned disabilities

• Each person will take their good arm and put it behind their back. (Do not use it)

• One person in the group will also be blind…close your eyes

• Your mission, as a team, is to take the pen apart without setting any parts on the table or floor (using only your team) and put them back together in working condition.

• Parts will be barrel, insert, and spring.

• You will be observed for communication, teamwork, and creativity.

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So, what about Accessibility, Electronic Documents, Websites and Apps?

Domino’s asks the Supreme Court to shut down a lawsuit requiring its website be accessible to blind people

From: https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/1/20750913/dominos-pizza-website-accessible-blind-supreme-court-lawsuit



Ten awesome companies you didn’t know were sued for ADA website compliance

1. Apple

2. Amazon

3. Burger King

4. Nike

5. Hulu

6. Bank of America

7. Netflix

8. Rolex

9. eHarmony

10. NBA

From: https://augustafreepress.com/ten-awesome-companies-you-didnt-know-were-sued-for-ada-website-compliance/

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https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/1/20750913/dominos-pizza-website-accessible-blind-supreme-court-lawsuit

https://augustafreepress.com/ten-awesome-companies-you-didnt-know-were-sued-for-ada-website-compliance/

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Human Bias

Human Presumptions of Can or Can’t

WILL lead to

Included or Excluded at work



Case Example: Sleep DisorderNarcolepsyFactory Work Accommodated

“The NOD-Stopper is… perfect for people who need to be on full alert while on duty such as security guards and machine operators.”

www.assistivetechnologyservices.com/dozealert.html

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http://www.assistivetechnologyservices.com/dozealert.html

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SUMMARY – Accessibility during Job Search and Interview Process

• Recognize opportunity/obstacle (shift mindset)

• LEARN actual skills on how to recruit and interview people who rely on disability related accommodation

• IMPLEMENT tools for universal access for applicants



Click the video above or go to www.AbdullahsStory.com

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http://www.abdullahsstory.com/

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Want to LEARN MORE?Register for Online Training

Post Jobs on RecruitDisability

Schedule a Complimentary 30 Minute ADA Expert Consultation

JOB BOARD

RecruitDisability.org

HR, Recruiter &

Job Developer

Training & Certification

ON-CALL

Accommodation

Expertise &

Coaching

Need one to one AT, Training

and Custom Services for

Individuals?

TheSierraGroupAcademy.org



Contact UsSeth G. Acosta, MS, CESP, C.,D.R.

Chief Operating Officer

Mobile: 267-804-5382

[email protected]

Casmir (Cas) Usiatynski

Director, Productivity Engineering at SourceAmerica

315-236-8695

[email protected]

Janet Fiore, C.,D.R.,

President, CEO, The Sierra Group

Mobile: 610-291-8135

[email protected]

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http://recruitdisability.org/

http://recruitdisability.org/

http://www.thesierragroupfoundation.org/cdr_app.htm#reg

http://www.thesierragroupfoundation.org/Sierra_AccomExpert.pdf

http://www.thesierragroupacademy.org/


