SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - October 12, 2005- People With Disabilities Foundation, a San Francisco-based, non-profit organization, dedicated to providing education and advocacy for people with physical and psychiatric disabilities, announces the availability of the 2006 Edition of a two-part, 34-minute training video entitled " Accommodating Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace." The training video provides basic information for both employers and employees, illustrated in vignettes showing work situations of employees with six different mental disorders. For a sample preview, go to www.pwdf.org/news/072103.html.
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination in employment against people with physical or mental disabilities. Organizations with fifteen or more employees, including all private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor organizations, and management committees, are required to conform their policies and procedures to disability law.
"This training video is a straightforward approach to learn more about accommodating the psychiatric disabled population in the workforce," Claudia Center, lead counsel in the Supreme Court case of U. S. Airways vs. Barnett, 535 U.S. 391 (2002), said. "It fills a void for training pertaining to the rights of people with psychiatric disabilities in the workplace."
"Our goal is to provide guidance to employers nationwide on ways to accommodate people with psychiatric disabilities," Steven Bruce, Executive Director of People With Disabilities Foundation, said: "With input from both the legal and mental health communities, the video incorporates complex laws and psychological diagnoses in an easy-to-understand video with scenarios used to demonstrate common disorders accommodated in the workplace."
Although psychiatric disabilities affect millions of people in the U.S., such disorders are still stereotyped and stigmatized in today's workforce. Lack of familiarity with these issues on the part of human resource professionals, supervisors and co-workers often leads to confusion, fear and avoidance.
"This comprehensive training video addresses a timely and often misunderstood subject, individuals with mental health conditions finding jobs and staying employed in the marketplace. In plain language and easily understood vignettes, the video provides clarification on equality in the workplace for all Americans, including those with mental health conditions," said Bryon MacDonald, Project and Policy Development Manager of the World Institute on Disability. "It's great to see this subject discussed in ways employers and job seekers can use."
Pricing and availability:
The 2006 Edition Video (DVD or VHS); Part 1, 16 minutes, and Part 2, 19 minutes, entitled "Accommodating Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace," costs $129.95. For multi-unit discounts, please contact the Education Department at 415-931-3070, or via e-mail at education[at]pwdf.org. DVDs order are now being taken for delivery by October 13, 2005 if closed captioning is requested.
About PWDF:
People With Disabilities Foundation was incorporated in March 2000 and began operations in June 2000. It is governed by a Board of Directors and administered by an Executive Director, Steven Bruce, Esq. The Foundation also represents disabled individuals in appeals in Social Security and other cases. In addition, it has produced seminars, training, videotapes and/or audio CDs on housing issues for people with psychiatric or developmental disabilities, as well as on Social Security Disability work incentive programs.
Chuck Graham, Acting Education Program Manager
www.pwdf.org
415-931-3070-ph
415-931-2828-fax
507 Polk Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102