Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)

1. Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) Tiffany J. Ko Summer Internship 2008

2. MOPD Overview Created in 1990 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, MOPD seeks to meet the diverse needs of the more than 600,000 individuals with disabilities who live and work in Chicago MOPD’s mission is to make Chicago the most accessible city in the nation

3. Collaborative Partnerships MOPD serves five major constituencies: • people with disabilities • all city departments and agencies • other government agencies • disability-related agencies • organizations and the private sector

4. Disability Resources Information & Referral, Independent Living Programs, Case Management Services, Assistive Technology Program, Homemaker & Personal Assistance Services, Emergency Home-Delivered Meals Employment Services Employment Counseling and Training to Job Seekers, Consultation and Technical\Assistance to Employers, Social Security Administration Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach for work incentives programs Training Independent Living Skills, Disability Etiquette, Teletypewriter (TTY) Training, Recreation Programs Departments & Services

5. Architectural Services Site Surveys, Technical Assistance, Consultation and Plan Review, Information about Accessibility Laws Public Information and Education Disability Awareness, Special Events, Workshops and Seminars, Publications, Community Outreach Youth Programs Disabled Youth Peer Development Initiative (DYPDI), Substance Abuse/AIDS Prevention Program for the Hearing Impaired (SAAPPHI) Departments & Services To learn more about the programs available at MOPD, click here to access their website: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalEntityHomeAction.do?entityName=Disabilities&entityNameEnumValue=11

6. Internship Responsibilities • Who? Worked closely with Karen Tamley, Joe Albritton & Carolyn Jones • What? Summer Intern at MOPD, assisted in various projects designed to improve access and opportunities for people with disabilities • Where? City Hall, 11th floor, MOPD Office • When? June - August 2008

7. Project 1 • Karen Tamley, Commissioner 2016 Olympics Fund for Chicago Neighborhoods – MOPD was awarded a $50,000 grant to assess Chicago’s current workforce development and training capacity to prepare residents with disabilities for employment opportunities that may result if Chicago is chosen to host the 2016 Olympic/Paralympic Games Under Karen’s supervision, I: • Assisted in developing grant proposal • Drafted letter to disability-related agencies to participate in roundtable discussion • Created disability resource and disability workforce agency databases • Conducted phone interviews with 14 local disability advocates • Drafted 1st grant progress report

8. Project 2 • Joe Albritton, Deputy Commissioner Access Chicago – exhibition for people with disabilities featuring information on services, products, sports and recreation Chicago Summer Lakefront Festivals – MOPD provides accessibility to Chicago’s festivals for individuals with disabilities and their families • Under Joe’s supervision, I: • directed vendors and guests to exhibition • assisted guests with wheelchairs in taking the elevator • supported guests with visual impairments as sight guide • assisted at MOPD booth at Taste of Chicago, distributing bracelets for accessible seating for evening entertainment

9. Project 3 • Carolyn Jones, Assistant Commissioner Mayor Daley’s Summer Jobs Program for Youth with Disabilities(YouthWorks) – provides paid internships to youth with disabilities throughout the summer months. Under Carolyn’s supervision, I: • created database of 44 high school students with disabilities • regularly communicated with interns and their families to provide support • drafted YouthWorks program evaluation • compiled data and drafted program summary report

10. Additional Experiences • participated in Disability Etiquette Trainings • received teletypewriter (TTY) training • conducted test TTY calls to Chicago Police Departments • assisted walk-in customers in testing and selecting free amplified phones • marched with MOPD at the 5th Annual Disability Pride Parade • assisted at the MOPD booth for the 18th Anniversary Celebration – Americans with Disabilities Act

11. Contributions… • Provided support to 44 paid student interns • Participated in compiling data for 2016 Olympic Bid • Compiled databases on local employment resources and workforce development agencies “It was a pleasure having you with MOPD. Due to your efforts, we were able to move forward with many projects and initiatives. We appreciate all of your dedicated work here.” - Joe Albritton, Deputy Commissioner, 8/18/08

12. Gains… • Created useful database of student disability services at local colleges and universities • Identified career exploration, career development, and paid internship opportunities for my own students with disabilities • Networked with local disability awareness agencies such as Thresholds, National Able, and Access Living • Acquired valuable insight into the tremendous steps that our city has taken to make Chicago the most accessible city in the nation