Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)

Tiffany J. KoSummer Internship 2008

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

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

Departments & ServicesDisability Resources

Information & Referral, Independent Living Programs, Case Management Services, Assistive Technology Program,

Homemaker & Personal Assistance Services, Emergency Home-Delivered Meals

Employment ServicesEmployment Counseling and Training to Job Seekers,

Consultation and Technical\Assistance to Employers, Social Security Administration Benefits Planning, Assistance and

Outreach for work incentives programs

TrainingIndependent Living Skills, Disability Etiquette,

Teletypewriter (TTY) Training, Recreation Programs

Departments & ServicesArchitectural 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)

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

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

Project 1Karen Tamley, Commissioner2016 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 proposalDrafted letter to disability-related agencies to participate in roundtable discussionCreated disability resource and disability workforce agency databasesConducted phone interviews with 14 local disability advocatesDrafted 1st grant progress report

Project 2Joe Albritton, Deputy CommissionerAccess Chicago – exhibition for people with disabilities featuring information on services, products, sports and recreationChicago 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

Project 3Carolyn Jones, Assistant CommissionerMayor 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 disabilitiesregularly communicated with interns and their families to provide support drafted YouthWorks program evaluationcompiled data and drafted program summary report

Additional Experiencesparticipated 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

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

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