Upcoming Job Fairs and Workshops in Ohio

Published on March 19, 2013 in Assistance, Events and Job Search Tips. Closed Tags: , , , .

One of our counselors who we work with at the Ohio RSC shared an awesome link with me today.

Ohio Means Jobs LogoOhio Means Jobs collects all upcoming job fairs and workshops for people looking for employment in Ohio.

Here is the link to check them all out:

https://ohiomeansjobs.com/omj/workshoplist.do?selectId=0

Here are a few of notes that I think can really help you find more information out on this site:

  • Click on the county header to find events near you
    If you do this, it will sort all of the events by what county there are in.  By doing this, it makes it much easier to see all of the events in your county. 
  • Click on the event name to find out more about the specific event
    When you do this, you can event get a link to the actual event page.  Some events make you register to attend, and most likely you will have to go to the individual page of the event to register.
  • Add any events you are planning on attending to your personal calendar
    For me, if I don’t put things in my calendar, I can easily double book myself or forget about the event all together.  I use an electronic calendar which helps me keep organized.  I good quality one for free is Google Calendar, which you can sync up with any mobile device you may have.

Capabilities routinely takes people who are in our services out to job fairs and/or lets them know of events so that they can attend on their own. We do this in our Job Placement service. We also work on skills to get the most out of events like this in our Job Seeking Skills Training service.  If you are interested in receiving services from us, please contact us at info@capabilitiesinc.biz.

If you have any ideas for how to get the most out of this site, or have any general tips for job fairs or workshops, please share!

by Justin Blumhorst

Free Screen Reader for Google Drive

Published on March 14, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed

I have heard of Read and Write Gold for Google Docs before, but this is the best overview of the solution and how to install it:

Big Thanks to Wade Wingler, the Director of Assisstive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads for this.

Here are some links to some of the things they mention in the video for your convenience:

Google Chrome:
https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/

Read&Write Gold Chrome Extension:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/readwrite-for-google-docs/inoeonmfapjbbkmdafoankkfajkcphgd?hl=en-US

by Justin Blumhorst

Tim’s Place: Restaurant Owned By Person with Down Syndrome

Published on March 8, 2013 in Advocation and Developmental Disabilities. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

So I was just ending up my workday, and I came across a video that gave me an awesome dose of positive energy.

Here is the video:

So, of course I had to look a little more into this… Here is a link to the restaurant’s webpage: http://www.timsplaceabq.com

Tim’s positive attitude flies through this video, and you can tell why his business is successful. It also seems that he has a great support team, which is important for any business.

The restaurant is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, so if you are there, support this restaurant!

Good luck Tim, and keep up the great work!

Also, next time I am in Albuquerque, I fully expect a hug…

by Justin Blumhorst

When to Discuss Your Disability With a Potential Employer

Published on February 19, 2013 in Job Search Tips. Closed Tags: , , .

One of the blogs that I subscribe to is called Career Tips for the Perfectly Abled, a section of gettinghired.com.  In it, they had an interesting article titled, When to Discus Your Disability With a Potential Employer by Jim Hasse.

In the article, they list 3 strategies for disclosure:

  1. Getting Your Foot in the Door First
  2. Disclosing Your Disability to a Prospective Employer as Soon as Possible
  3. Positioning Your Disability as a Competitive Edge

In the article, Jim lists benefits, drawbacks, and needed preparation for each strategy.  Go to the full blog post to read all of those.  Here is the link to the whole article:

http://community.gettinghired.com/blogs/perfectlyable/archive/2013/02/11/when-to-discuss-your-disability-with-a-potential-employer.aspx

In the end, Jim states that you really need to find which companies are “disability friendly,” and with this information, you can decide which strategy will work for you.  Hopefully, one day we will not have to worry about this, but I have to say that I agree with Jim.  The best way for your to disclose your disability is to research the company and find which strategy will work best in that scenario.

Capabilities‘ professional career consultants are well versed in when to disclose.  We use these strategies, and many others in our Job Development Service.  Our Career Consultants know the community, and have relationships with employers which help in disclosure.  We help people with disabilities find jobs, and are professionals in this field.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

by Justin Blumhorst

Dragon Success Story for Person with Multiple Sclerosis #MS

Published on February 18, 2013 in Adaptive Technology, Advocation and Physical Disabilities. Closed Tags: , , , .

I just was reading through my Dragon NaturallySpeaking Newsletter for February, and I came across a great article in it. It talks about how Evan Upchurch, a former Microsoft Employee, uses Dragon NaturallySpeaking to help make computers more accessible for him to use.

It talks about how he was able to really concentrate on his writing, and not his typing.  Evan said that like in many other jobs, Microsoft had a high volume of emails.  Using Dragon, he was much better at getting back to emails.  I specifically appreciated his quote, “At Microsoft, email is lifeblood. If you can’t do email, you do’t exist.”

To check out the full article, check this link out:

http://www.nuance.com/ucmprod/groups/dragon/@web-enus/documents/collateral/nc_019870.pdf?elq=712b7f4b330247c4a6974ab342817552&elqCampaignId=677

Capabilities provides training on Dragon NaturallySpeaking in our Computer Assistance and Training Service.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you use Dragon and many other accessibility programs.

by Justin Blumhorst

Saint Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2013 Drunk Driving Prevention Campaign

Published on February 4, 2013 in Uncategorized. Closed
Buzzed

According to NHTSA, on average, every 51 minutes a person is killed in a drunk-driving crash in the United States and the majority of these crashes involve drunk drivers  who have blood alcohol concentrations  of .15 grams per deciliter or higher, almost twice the legal limit of .08 g/dL.

To prevent these tragedies from occurring, Capabilities recommends the following steps to have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day:

>> Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.

>> Before drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.

If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation to get home safely.

by Justin Draper

Be the MVP of Safe and Responsible Driving on Super Bowl Sunday

Published on January 25, 2013 in Press Release. Closed
Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk

Driving Drunk Is a No-Win Situation

[ST. MARYS, Ohio] – As one of America’s most anticipated and celebrated sporting events, the Super Bowl brings together families, friends and fans each year to enjoy the excitement of the big game. In many instances, fans will gather to watch the game at sports bars, restaurants or Super Bowl-themed parties. The U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with the National Football League, TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) and Capabilities Driving School, have joined forces with St. Mary’s local highway safety and law enforcement officials to spread an important safety message to the public about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

“Before choosing to drink, choose a sober designated driver.  Avoid the unsportsmanlike conduct of driving drunk by handing off your keys so that you, your passengers and everyone on our roads can safely arrive home,” said Justin Draper, Capabilities Driving School “Drunk driving is always preventable, and driving drunk could result in seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else. Motorists can expect local police, sheriff, and highway patrol departments to have a visible presence and to stop anyone who makes the dangerous decision to drink and drive.”

According to NHTSA, 10,228 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2010. These drunk-driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States. In addition, alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was almost twice as high during the weekend (31%) than during weekdays (16%) and four times higher at night (37%) than during the day (9%).*

If you’re attending a Super Bowl party or watching the game at a sports bar or restaurant:

  • Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
  • Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself. Eat plenty of food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
  • If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or if possible stay where you are for the night and don’t drive until you are sober.
  • Never let friends drive drunk.   Arrange a safe way for them to get home.
  • Always buckle up. It’s still your best defense against other drunk drivers.

If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:

  • Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
  • Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
  • Host your party just like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game. The fourth quarter is perfect for serving coffee and dessert.
  • Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk.
  • Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.
  • If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent may be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.
  • Likewise, parents or other adults who provide alcohol to, or host a party where alcohol is available to, those under age 21 could face jail time.

For more information, please visit http://www.capabilitiesinc.biz/driving.php.

Stay connected with Capabilities Driving School via:

Facebook.com/CapabilitiesED

Twitter.com/CapabilitiesED

YouTube.com/CapabilitiesStMarys

Stay connected with NHTSA via:

Facebook.com/NHTSA

Twitter.com/NHTSAgov

YouTube.com/USDOTNHTSA

SaferCar.gov

###

*Note: Daytime – 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.; Nighttime – 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.;

Weekday – Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 5:59 p.m.; Weekend – Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m.

by Justin Draper

Super Bowl XLVII Drunk Driving Prevention Campaign February 3, 2013

Published on January 22, 2013 in Press Release. Closed
Super Bowl Team Player

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches and excitement swells for the kickoff to the big game, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Capabilities Driving School advises football fans to make the safe and responsible decision to avoid driving after having too much to drink. According to agency statistics, 10,228 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2010. These drunk-driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States. In addition, alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was almost twice as high during the weekend (31%) than during weekdays (16%) and four times higher at night (37%) than during the day (9%).*

NHTSA and Capabilities reminds everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. Before choosing to drink, choose your team’s MVP – a sober designated driver – whether you’re attending the game or watching it at a sports bar or Super Bowl party.

by Justin Draper

CHECKLIST AND TIPS FOR Safe Winter Driving

Published on January 22, 2013 in General and Website. Closed
Snow Tire

Get your car serviced now.

No one wants to break down in any season, but especially not in cold or snowy winter weather. Start the season off right by ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition.

Visit your mechanic for a tune-up and other routine maintenance.

» Have your entire vehicle checked thoroughly for leaks, bad worn hoses, or other needed parts, repairs, and replacements.

Check your battery.

When the temperature drops, so does battery power. For gasoline-powered engines, be aware that it takes more battery power to start your vehicle in cold weather than in warm. For electric and hybrid vehicles, the driving range is reduced and the battery systems work better after they warm up. Make sure your battery is up to the challenges of winter by:

»  Having your mechanic check your battery for sufficient voltage;

»   Having the charging system and belts inspected;

»   Replacing the battery or making system repairs, including simple things like tightening the battery cable connections;

»   Making sure to keep fresh gasoline in an electric vehicle, to support the gasoline system.

Continue reading ‘CHECKLIST AND TIPS FOR Safe Winter Driving’

by Justin Draper

Toledo Community Rehabilitation Partner Meeting

Published on January 16, 2013 in Findlay Office, Partner, Services and Toledo Office. Closed Tags: , , , .

Yesterday, we met with a lot of the counselors from the northwest area of the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Comission. We appreciate all the feedback that we received and all the time that we were given to share some great information.

At this meeting, we shared a bulk of information. We started off with some statistics for the 1st Financial Quarter for the northwest area, and then broke down into some more specific information regarding our services. We talked about vocational evaluations, benefits analysis, and our computer training services.

If you are interested in any of the files, here they are all.

If this widget doesn’t work for you, you can view it directly from this link: https://www.box.com/s/d9amul80ozqys86itgz1.

by Justin Blumhorst