Training Opportunities & Information Updates
From the Kentucky Supported Employment Training Project
May 28, 2026
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Information Updates
From OVR: Coming Soon-New Case Management System for the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The OVR will launch a new Case Management System in July 2026 to replace the current system, which is no longer supported by modern technology. To prepare for this transition, staff will participate in intensive all-day training from June 1–5, 2026. During this period, staff will not be available to the public. The following week, staff will return calls and emails received during the training. Depending on the volume of inquiries, response times may be up to one week. As staff become familiar with the new system, the public, our partners, and vendors may experience temporary delays in scheduling appointments. We appreciate your patience as we replace the current system to better meet your needs.
Professional Learning Community - We are excited to offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect with peers, share ideas, and receive valuable mentorship in your field. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or looking to grow in your role, this community is the perfect place to elevate your career! The SETP Professional Learning Community (PLC) is currently accepting applications for 2026-2027. Find more info and a sneak peek of topics covered at the link. This program is designed to help you grow, expand your skills, and feel supported every step of the way. Plus, it’s a chance to stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of supported employment! PLC Applications are open through June 8. At least one year of experience required to apply.
OVR Continuing Education Requirement - Employment Specialists providing Supported Employment and/or Employment & Retention are required to obtain fifteen (15) hours of continuing education, four (4) of which must pertain to serving individuals who are deaf, blind, or DeafBlind. You will find more than 4 such hours listed below. You should track your hours on the Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) Continued Education Units form. These hours are due by July 1, along with your agency Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Vendor Contract.
SETP offers Technical Assistance and training to individuals, agencies, and regions. Need info on a topic? Let us know! You can find additional information, materials, and resources on our website.
Training Opportunities
The following training opportunities are live events.
CRP Quarterly Meeting: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About SE But Were Afraid to Ask
Date/Time:
June 18, 10:30 – 12:30 ET
Location: Join Zoom Meeting; Meeting Chat Link
Meeting ID: 820 8717 9841
Presented by: CRP Branch of OVR
Setting the Record Straight About Hiring and Retaining Disabled Workers: Debunking Myths
Date/Time: June 24, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Location: Register for this event
Presented by: Training Innovation Project (TIP) Master Class Objectives:
Description: Objectives for the hour: 1) Discuss the progress made in making the American workforce more inclusive and accessible to the disability community. 2) Describe persistent concerns on the part of employers about hiring and accommodating workers with disabilities. 3) Provide empirical evidence that workers with disabilities often prove equal to the task in comparisons with non-disabled workers, suggesting that within the disability community lies a valuable labor resource.
Find additional TIP upcoming events.
IPS Supported Education Overview
Date/Time: June 25, July 23, August 27, September 24, October 22, November 19, December 17. This is a repeated event offering the same content each time at 10:00 ET.
Location: Join the Zoom event at this link; no registration is required
Presented by: Lori Norton and Margaret Lopresto of IPS Supported Employment, UK – HDI
Description: This Supported Education training is designed primarily for those involved in a 1915(i) RISE program and is open to others interested in learning more about Supported Education services. Contact Margaret Lopresto for more information.
SETP Book Club 2026
Date/Time: Weekly on Tuesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET, May 5 through June 30.
Location: Zoom - Learn more and register for virtual SETP Book Club
Presented by: Supported Employment Training Project
Description: This spring, SETP is reading Sitting Pretty: The View from my Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body, by Rebekah Taussig. Join us in our efforts to form a deeper understanding of disability and inclusion to enhance supported employment practices and ensure effective representation of individuals to employers. Next week covers chapter 4, but it is not too late to join.
The following training opportunities are recorded events.
ADA Live! Podcast
Location: Podcast Episode 152: New Opportunities for Job Success for Workers who are Blind: The Monarch Rise Project. Text transcript also available. 1 hour on employment and blind/low vision.
Presented by: Southeast ADA Center
Description: The employment rate of adults with low vision or blindness (52%) is significantly less than the general population of working-age adults (76%). This data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Research and Training Center (NRTC) on Blindness and Low Vision reveals an overall 24 percent gap in employment (NRTC Data Source). In this episode, we talk with Erin Sigmund, the Director of an American Printing House for the Blind project called Monarch RISE. We will discuss the ways Monarch RISE empowers project participants to
achieve and sustain competitive integrated employment (CIE) and hear from two of the project’s participants, Tim Emmons and Bill Adams, about their experiences.
Navigating Employment with Confidence
Location: Navigating Employment with Confidence recorded webinar, 1.5 hours on employment and blind/low vision
Presented by: The Carroll Center for the Blind
Description: The Navigating Employment with Confidence webinar is designed to support individuals who are blind or visually impaired as they explore the employment journey and learn how to achieve success.
Hiring and Supporting Visually Impaired Employees
Location: Hiring and Supporting Visually Impaired Employees recorded
webinar, 1 hour on employment and blind/low vision
Presented by: Charles River Regional Chamber
Description: This webinar will equip employers with the tools and resources needed to create inclusive workplaces that empower visually impaired employees to thrive. Learn about available resources and services to support recruitment and retention, as well as practical steps to foster an inclusive and accessible work environment. Presenters: Carol Cullins, Employment Services Supervisor, MA Commission for the Blind; Marianne Gilmore, Workforce Development Specialist, Carroll Center for the Blind; Karen McCormack, Job Developer, Perkins School for the Blind; Brian Switzer, CCB, Manager of Technology, Training, and Research, Carroll Center for the Blind.
Note: This is a webinar out of Massachusetts; while overall the information is applicable to all, please contact your consumer's OVR Counselor about services available in Kentucky.
SETP Recorded Webinars on Working with d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers
Working with d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers: Strategies for Effective Communication 1.5 hours on employment and d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Working with d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumers: Understanding Stereotypes, Discrimination & Respect 1.5 hours on employment and d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Autism Informed Employer (AIE) Quick Video Series & Discussion
Location: Episodes 1 – 5 are posted and cover information on hiring and the interview process plus different types of needs on the job. Check out the short videos, share with employers, and join the quarterly discussion.
Description: This AIE quick video series is presented by the Kentucky Employment First Council and Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW). Quarterly conversations build on the short videos shared monthly to learn more and engage in discussions with other employers and employment support providers on topics related to increasing employment opportunities for Autistic Kentuckians.
Next Discussion: June 25, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET; Register for the June 25 Quarterly Discussion
The following training opportunities are online courses.
SETP 101: Traditional Supported Employment Overview Refresher Online Course
Location: SETP 101 - Traditional Supported Employment Overview Refresher in HDI’s learning management system
SETP 204: Supported Employment Documentation & Descriptive Writing Online Course
Location: SETP 204 - Documentation & Descriptive Writing for supported employment in HDI’s learning management system
SETP 202: Supported Employment: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work Online Course
Location: SETP 202 - Supported Employment: The Nuts & Bolts of the Work in HDI’s learning management system
SETP 105: Employment and Retention (E&R) Online Course
Location: SETP 105 - E&R Training in HDI’s online learning management system
Resources
Kentucky is an Employment First state.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky that competitive integrated employment in the community shall be considered the first and primary option for persons with disabilities of working age who desire to become employed. Learn more and find resources to share:
Understanding Supported Employment & Seeking Services
- SETP has a webpage designed specifically for job seekers and those with a personal connection to them. This webpage is here to support job seekers by providing helpful information for people considering Supported Employment, as well as for those already receiving services who would like more details.
- The How to Get Help Finding a Job flyer is available to share with people looking to work who are not sure where to start.
- Transition Resource Sheet for Students with Disabilities and Families (web-based version is also available)
Impact of Wages on Benefits
Employment Files
The Employment Files YouTube Channel has lots of stories to share! This can be a useful tool in helping job seekers, family members, or other support staff think about employment possibilities.
Short Videos about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS
Looking for ways to share information about OVR, Supported Employment, and Pre-ETS to those not familiar with the agency or supports? The Human Development Institute (HDI) and OVR have partnered to create 3 short videos:
The Americans with Disabilities Act Resources
Disability Webinars shares upcoming and archived events held by the Southeast ADA Center, covering a wide range of ADA-related topics
ADALive! is a free monthly show/podcast broadcast nationally about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Moderated by the Southeast ADA Center.
Questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act? Call the Southeast ADA Center at 1-800-949-4232 for expert guidance.
Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out! The Supported Employment Training Project is here to offer training and technical assistance to providers across Kentucky. We are available to bring training to your agency and for individual conversations. Let us know how we can help and support you in this work. Contact Katie Wolf Whaley at kwolf@uky.edu (or reply to this email).
Thank you for all you do to move Employment First forward and help people find successful employment.
Katie
