Disability Program Navigator Project Under a Workforce Investment Act Title I-B Statewide Grant, HempsteadWorks operates a Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Project. The Project includes to DPNs who enhance perform a variety of enhanced services for individuals with disabilities at the HempsteadWorks One-Stop Center, including, but not limited to:
Assist people with disabilities to access the wide variety of programs available to support their successful entry or re-entry into the workforce Serve as a One-Stop Career Center resource on programs and services available in the community for jobseekers with disabilities, including Social Security work incentives and other employment support programs, including the Ticket-to-Work Program and the provision of services through Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach organizations (BPAOs), the Protection and Advocacy systems (P&As), Employment Networks (ENs), and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies Develop linkages and collaborate on an ongoing basis with employers and employer organizations to promote the hiring of people with disabilities and to facilitate their job placement Conduct outreach to, and coordination with, community service providers working with people with disabilities, local Independent Living Centers and public and private mental health and developmental disability organizations. Train One-Stop Career Center staff on disability etiquette; facility, communication and program accessibility requirements; and the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Provide an ongoing assessment of One-Stop Career Center facilities, services, programs and equipment to ensure these are accessible to people with disabilities, including ensuring that informational materials are available in alternate formats.