The Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program at the Hostos Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) announces the 2021 Transition Aged Youth (TAY) Conference, set for Thursday, May 13 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. live over Zoom.
 
WIPA is a Social Security Administration (SSA) grant program that provides disability benefit counseling services to people on SSDI and SSI benefits. The CEWD WIPA program has hosted two TAY conferences in the past.
 
“We look forward to providing this event to not only Hostos students, but members in the community that work with youth with disabilities to provide them with information and resources to support their success in future career and educational goals,” said Marsha Russo the director of the WIPA program at CEWD.

Across the nation, benefit systems have been stressed due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s unprecedented strain on requests for help. This year’s conference aims to address the changes that have occurred within the Social Security Administration and the disability benefits.
 
Workshop 1: Disability Rights in the Workplace, featuring Disability Rights of New York, will provide an overview of the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program, disclosing a disability, employment discrimination; and tips & tricks for post-COVID disability employment.  
 
Workshop 2: Disability Rights for the Transition Age, featuring Disability Rights of New York, will provide an overview of the Client Assistance Program (CAP); as well as transition to employment services.
 
The pandemic has amplified the lack of workplace accommodations. This workshop initiates the discussion on the impact remote work continues to have on individuals with disabilities.
 
Workshop3: Disability Benefits Post-COVID, will inform on Unemployment Insurance & the effect of Federal Relief and unearned income on SSA Disability Benefits; as well as how to manage expectations & current Social Security Administration practices.
 
Partners of the 2021 TAY Conference include Disability Rights of New York, ACCES-VR, Best Buddies International, CUNY LEADS @ Bronx Community College, CUNY LEADS @ Hostos Community College, Hostos Career Services, and IncludeNYC
 
 
Disclaimer: Please Note: This conference will be recorded in order to share this vital information with registrants that may be unable to attend during the live, scheduled time. Participants will not be seen or heard at any point throughout this conference. Questions will be shared through the Chat feature, which only WIPA Hosts will have access to. This recoding will expire after a pre-determined period of time and will not be shared or posted to the general public. The conference will be close captioned.
 
“The WIPA Virtual 2021Transition Aged Youth Conference is timely.
During these uncertain moments, all individuals need to know what to do and expect regarding their entitlements and any information related to their sustainability.”

Register here: https://hostos-cuny-edu.zoom.us/WIPA TAY/webinar/register

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