Rehabilitation Services Administration

New Editions provides technical assistance, dissemination services, and a wide range of other support to Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grantees under the National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) DIF Supplement. These services are specifically tailored to enhance the impact of the DIF Program, one of the Rehabilitation Services Administration's (RSA) flagship initiatives, which was authorized by Congress through the Consolidated Appropriations Act.

New Editions provides technical assistance (TA) services to 27 grantees awarded under the Disability Innovation Fund--Creating a 21st Century Workforce of Youth and Adults with Disabilities Through the Transformation of Education, Career, and Competitive Integrated Employment Model Demonstration Project. DIF grantees are working to enhance state programs that create and expand opportunities for high-quality competitive integrated employment (CIE) by engaging with employers across various sectors – including traditional, non-traditional, flexible, and freelance opportunities.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides guidance and support to state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies that are charged with providing job training and placement, as well as on-the-job supports to aid individuals with disabilities find and retain employment. State VR agencies can be most successful when they understand labor force trends and can look ahead at the projected soft and hard skills employers need to train and prepare candidates for the jobs of the future.

New Editions manages the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s (RSA) National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) - ncrtm.ed.gov - and technical assistance webinars. The NCRTM is RSA’s gateway to technical assistance and training, providing reliable, up-to-date training materials. It is a venue for information sharing, learning and professional growth for vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals, service providers, researchers, trainers, educators, individuals with disabilities and their support networks.

In an effort to improve employer collaborations with public vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, New Editions conceived and implemented a new approach to employer outreach. This new approach involved designing updated educational materials for employers about recruiting, hiring, retaining and promoting individuals with disabilities. New Editions also convened forums for employers and VR counselors to provide them with first-hand information about employment needs in targeted high-growth industries, including banking/finance, service/hospitality, science/technology, and healthcare.

New Editions operated the National Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center (NTAC), which serves to coordinate activities and communications among the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s (RSA’s) Technical Assistance Network members, promote collaborative activities, identify experts and resources, and provide analysis and evaluation of program data. RSA’s Technical Assistance Network provides training, technical assistance and continuing education to improve the performance of State Vocational Rehabilitation programs.