California Council of the Blind and APH ConnectCenter Employment Mini Conference:
“Empowering Yourself for the Modern-Day Job Market”
October 13th, 14th, and 15th 2021
Note: All times listed below are in the Pacific Daylight Saving time zone.
Wednesday, Oct. 13th, 2021
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Guillermo Robles
5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Opening and Welcome
Keynote Speaker – Joe Xavier, Director of Department of Rehabilitation
5:45 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Career Exploration and How to Decide: The Job Seekers Toolkit
Speakers – Olaya Landa-Vialard, Ph.D., APH Connect Center and Richard Rueda, Digital Content Manager, APH CareerConnect
Handout material for this session:
6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Resume V.S. CV: What Are They and When to Use Them
Speaker: Robert Wendt, CSULB Career Counselor
Handout material for this session:
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Acing the Interview
Speaker – Rebecca Deer and Jovany Barba, Wayfinder Family Services
Thursday, Oct. 14th, 2021
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Steve Bauer
5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Dress to Impress
Speaker – Jessica Marquez, Long Beach City College, Adjunct Professor
Handout material for this session:
6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Untapped Resource: Networking Skills
Speaker – Thomas J. Olzak BA, JD., Retired Youth and Career Services Manager, Braille Institute.
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Transferable Skills: Reimaging Your Skills to Fit the Job
Speaker – Robert Wendt, CSULB Career Counselor
Handout material for this session:
Friday, Oct. 15th, 2021
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Phill Obregon and Sarah Harris
12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.
How to Talk to DOR Part 1: Negotiate Your Career Path Choice
Speaker – Edward Crespin, Qualified Rehabilitation Professional, Department of Rehabilitation
1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
How to Talk to DOR Part 2: Job Retention and Post Employment Services
Speaker – Jose Mendez, Qualified Rehabilitation Professional, Blind Field Services
Handout material for this session:
- BEP_Training_Consumer_Handbook_2019.docx
- DOR Consumer Handbook.pdf
- DR210 Enrollment For Vocational Rehabilitation Services.pdf
- DR218 Health Questionnaire.pdf
- DR222B Employment Record.pdf
- DR260 New Medical Consent Release.pdf
- Post-Employment Services- Time limitations.docx
- Summary of Virtual Trainings.docx
2:00 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.
White Cane Proclamation
Speaker – Guillermo Robles
Title: SSI: Navigating the World with Benefits
Speaker – Karen Shrawder, Social Security Specialist, Department of Rehabilitation
Handout material for this session:
- Get Benefit Verification Online (not including BPQY).pdf
- If You are Blind or Low Vision, How We Can Help.pdf
- Presentation for CCB Participants – Accessible PDF.pdf
- Presentation for CCB Participants – PowerPoint Slides.pptx
- Snapshot.pdf
3:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
To Disclose or Not to Disclose: How to Ask for Reasonable Accommodations
Speakers – Michael Hess, Blind Institute of Technology Founder and Executive Director, Kristy Schenderlein, Talent Director from The Blind Institute of Technology
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Resume Writing Workshop Happy Hour
Speakers – Robert Wendt, CSULB Career Counselor and other resume experts!
Registrants who have expressed interest in help with resume writing will receive Zoom information for this workshop.