DISABILITY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE

GRANTEE:                            Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc.

ADDRESS:                            PO Box 869

Harrisonburg, VA 22803

POPULATION SERVED: Project TRAIN IT will provide services to 40 individuals, who will be individuals with disabilities as defined in Section 3 of the ADA and the requirements of 28 CFR Part 35.104.  75% of the project participants are expected to possess significant or multiple disabilities and to require assistive technology services in order to achieve a successful employment outcome.  15 of the participants served will be SSI/SSDI participants; 20 are expected to be dislocated workers; and 20 are expected to be eligible under other federal training programs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: In the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding geographic areas, only 6.06% of individuals with disabilities are employed.  Project TRAIN IT will utilize a multifaceted approach to develop and test portable assessment strategies, and to document replicable and innovative assessment and training strategies and technologies to prepare individuals with significant disabilities for careers in the IT industry.

Project TRAIN IT will build upon existing training programs at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) in Fisherville, Virginia.  This project will link with IT industry technical experts and education members to fit curriculum and skill development needs to current industry trends, as well as with an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to plan, coordinate, and develop services.

KEY PARTICIPANTS: The Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board is the lead applicant.  They will work with four interrelated teams: the One Stop System Team (Fisherville One-Stop, Buena Vista One-Stop, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services,Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board); the Rehabilitation Team; the IT Industry Technical & Instructional Team (IBP Enterprises, American Banker’s Association, SmartForce, WWRC, Ntelos, Valley of Virginia Partnership for Education, James Madison University); and the Economic Development & Small Business Advisory Team (Valley of Virginia Partnership for Education, James Madison University).

MEDIA CONTACT:             Robert Satterwhite

                                                PO Box 869

Harrisonburg, VA 22803

                                                (540) 442-7134