Ed Roberts - Disability Pioneer!






2010 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill by State Senator Loni Hancock declaring that January 23 of every year a day of special significance! On January 23rd, Ed Roberts, a disability advocate was born. 

At the age of 14, Roberts contracted polio and was in the hospital for 18 months. When he left the hospital, he was paralyzed from the neck down, was only able to move a few fingers and toes and had to sleep in an iron lung. 

In the times before the Freedom of Speech Movement, Ed engaged many uphill battles. As a result of his disability, he was initially denied his High School diploma because he had not completed drivers education or physical education.  However, one of his greatest battles came a s a result of his desire to attend the University of California at Berkley. 

The California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation thought that Ed was too disabled to ever receive a job and did not support Ed's goal in going to school.  UC Berkley was also mixed in thier support of Ed attending their University.  One of the Deans stated, "We've tried cripples before and it didn't work."  Others, thought that they should do more to support Roberts.


In the end, Ed fought for his rights and was able to attend Berkley, attained a  Bachelor of Arts in 1964 and his Masters of Arts in Political Science in 1966.  Eventually, Ed became a Ph.D. candidate in political, but did not complete his Ph.D. 

During his time at Berkley, he established the Berkeley Center for Independent Living, which mirrors many of the independent living center models today. He also started a group called the "Rolling Quads" to promote independence among other students with disabilities to display a positive expression of disability identity.  He also started the first student-led disability program in the country called the Physically Disabled Student's Program (PDSP) which still exists today. 

Ed Roberts went on to serve as the Director for the California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the same institution that labeled him too severely disabled to work until 1983.  After his tenure at the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Ed returned again to Berkeley, where he co-founded the World Institute on Disability with Judith E. Heumann and Joan Leon and is considered a hotbed of activism.

Roberts passed away, two years later, but has empowered Individuals with Disabilities to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. Today we honor Roberts and those he supported. Thank you!

At NTI, we serve a small part of a larger scale to support Americans with Disabilities. If you would like to be a part and learn more, contact NTI at NTICentral.org/learnmore. 

Thank you to all the Radio Stations Spreading Our Word on National Disc Jockey Day!



A few weeks ago, I flew down to Florida to visit my relatives.  I ended up getting my rental car, turned on the radio to 95.1 FM, WBPC and was nicely surprised to hear NTI’s Public Service Announcement! As an advocate to help Americans with Disabilities and Disabled Veterans, it meant the world to me to get our word our there.

Here are some of our recent Public Service Announcements: http://psa.pagedemo.co/

We want to send a special thank you to all of the supporting radio stations throughout the United States, who have been airing our Public Service Announcements!  THANK YOU!

It’s been a long project at NTI and many people have been a part. Through all the hard work, NTI has made great strides in getting the messages in our PSA’s back to the people. We have teamed up with many radio stations out in Texas, Florida, and other great states who are not only looking for more employment, but a boost in their economy.

Recently, NTI has mixed it up!  Country Recording Artist, Craig Campbell, has sold over half a million digital downloads with his infamous song FISH, has been a tremendous contributor to our upcoming PSA project.  Craig Campbell just recorded a PSA with NTI, mixing in his own music, to raising awareness for Americans with Disabilities and Disabled Veterans.  Thank you Craig Campbell for your  generous support!

Soon, we will also introduce another Country Songwriter and Recording Artist, Lance Carpenter, who just recently agreed to do a Public Service Announcement.
Both artists exemplify what America is about and truly believe in what we do as an organization. It’s a perfect fit!

None of our success would be possible if it wasn’t for the DJs who are airing our PSAs. Without the DJs and supporting radio stations, NTI wouldn’t be able to deliver this important public service announcement to all persons with disabilities seeking employment.  It truly is a community service!

Thank you! Here’s to all the disc jockeys and radio stations, Happy Disc Jockey Day!

Now it’s your turn! Do you want to mix things up or try something new? Are you on SSI or SSDI and looking for a job? NTI can help you. If you would like to learn more about what we offer please reach out to us at nticentral.org/learnmore!

What we do, and how we thrive. It's get to Know Your Customers Day.



A combination of NTI outreach, listening, and providing feedback to the client and candidate helps NTI thrive place Americans with Disabilities back into the workplace. Through understanding our customers and candidates needs, we pave the path to getting to know our clients and to do our job right. Our philosophy trickles down to our employees at NTI;  where we work, understand, and communicate daily with one another to meet our mission.

Although we have an main office where many of our NTI workers work, we also have many committed employees who work remotely throughout the United States.  NTI provides all  employees the training to help candidates seeking job training and job opportunities. 


NTI's enthusiastic staff is committed to developing strong partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and small businesses where we place candidates. Our success partnering with the IRS is one example of NTI's success. NTI provides the IRS with Call Center Agents for the Forms and Publications Department. In the IRS roles, candidates answer calls, offer information on IRS related forms and publication as well as answer procedural questions. Witin the role, the IRS views the accuracy regarding conveying information about tax forms and documents as the most critical skill to success.  The IRS finds that NTI candidates are excellent at providing this information. On a regular basis, the IRS reviews calls to ensure that accuracy is being achieved. 


As an end result, the IRS has continually been satisfied with the candidates they receive and the results from those candidates. They stated, “The quality of your candidates is the best we’ve ever seen.” 


A majority of NTI's Call Center successes are a direct result of the training that NTI places in the candidates to ensure success.  We understand the transition and skill sets necessary to succeed as a Call Center Agent.  These skills are honed by candidates within a 3-Day Training Program delivered by NTI.  


We don’t expect our candidates to walk in and know how to ace it, but with practice they can develop their skills.  At NTI, we set the expectations during pre-screen interviews. The pre-screen interview covers the essential skills that are required for call center positions, such as voice quality, communication skills, technical background, typing speed,  and previous experience.


Our pride and joy to work with a diverse selection of partnerships that offer a growing opportunity for individuals seeking work! None of this could be possible without  getting to know our customers, whether it’s our candidates, partners, or NTI employees. The potential for success lies within our understanding. 


NTI  hopes to get to know you soon! If you are on SSI or SSDI and you think that you would find success, please reach out to us at nticentral.org/learnmore.

Make your career Visionary!


Today is vision board day!  It’s a call out for everyone to get up and start making their vision boards if they haven’t started already!  There is no denying they don’t work,  what it all comes down to is are you giving yourself the chance to give your vision board and yourself success?  According to a  Huffington Post article, “Creating a sacred space that displays what you want actually does bring it to life. What we focus on expands. When you create a vision board and place it in a space where you see it often, you essentially end up doing short visualization exercises throughout the day.”

Vision boards help set yourself up for success, you map out the images on the board, make it vibrant, colorful, aesthetically pleasing to always catch your eye when you walk into the room and then boom! Before you know it you will have your vision board in your mind  all the time, moving closer and closer to your goal. Nothing is impossible, and a vision board can definitely help you get you to where you hope to be.

This year, NTI has many visions for 2017. We are working on new things every single day. The newest vision that is turning into a reality for us very soon is a new office in our Boston headquarter location. All of our workers are excitedly getting ready to close our doors to our office on  69 Canal Street and move to our next location. As we get ready to move, and our vision boards, along with many other things get taken down temporarily a lot of our services will be out of reach such as our website, phones, and reaching us at an office for a day during the 1st of February. Therefore, as an early bird notice, we want  everyone who may be considering reaching out to us during the time of February 1st  to hang on tight because you are very important to us.

Until then, NTI wants you to create your vision boards and go for your goals. Make them vibrant and think  what you really want from life. If your vision board is pointing you to find a new job, we are happy that you are still reading! If you are on SSI or SSDI  and would like to get back into the workforce NTI would like to help turn your vision into a reality. Reach out to us at nticentral.org or call us at (877) 248-8912.

Special Olympics USA Team Sends 210 Athletes to Austria to Compete in the World Winter Games!

The 2017 Special Olympics USA Team will be announced for the Special Olympic World Winter Games today! The Games will take place from March 14 to March 25 in Austria; the country who was also the first host back in 1993. This will be the largest sports and humanitarian event of 2017!

Unlike the first Special Olympic World Winter Games, the 2017 Games has a large international movement. It was started in the 80’s by Herman Knoll, a member of Parliament and the Mayor of a ski-resort city called Schladming. Leveraging his diplomatic power and passion for helping those with intellectual disabilities, Knoll strongly contributed to the success of the World Winter Games. Knoll successfully promoted the event, increasing the participation from 12 countries to more than fifty countries in the 1993 Winter Games.

More than double the countries will participate in the 2017 World Winter Games. Currently, 110 nations are engaged with more than 3,000 participating athletes.  During the Games, participants will compete in seven sports, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing and speed skating.

The Special Olympics offers a global platform for one to showcase their ability to challenge themselves, improve teamwork, and to succeed as an athlete among other international persons with disabilities.  Separately, a conference focused on changing society for individuals with intellectual disabilities will coincide with the World Winter Games. Generation United will offer an intensive leadership course during the conference.

Similar to the Special Olympics, NTI helps individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to help Americans with Disabilities find work at home positions and showcase to the world what they can do. Like an Olympian in training, our team of professionals inspire, help you set goals, train you for success, and help you cross the finish line by attaining work.

If you are interested in the telecommuting opportunities NTI offers, contact us at www.nticentral.org/learnmore.  It’s your time to stand on the podium with us!

National Technology Day!

National Technology Day!
Today is National Technology Day and for individuals with disabilities, technology is ever evolving; making the impossible, imaginable. At our 31 Nights Event a few weeks ago, we showcased Gene Laureano, an Veteran with a disability who uses the technology ReWalk Robotics provides to walk once again. 


ReWalk Robotics creates an innovative exoskeleton technology for those with spinal cord injuries. Their two exoskeleton models, create powering motions to the hips and knees enabling someone with a spinal injury to stand.  


Already, ReWalk envisions a world where their exoskeleton can be reconfigured to help more than just individuals with spinal cord injuries. Their goal is to manufacture an inclusive device helping those who have had a stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, or even cerebral palsy stand up and walk again.
In the case of Gene, he can tell you about the impact this technology has on his life; something as simple as having an eye to eye conversation is a game changer. 


ReWalk Robotics showcases only one example of what companies are doing today with technology!  We've highlighted a few striking new technologies over the course of 2016 and have compiled some on our Pinterest board here: goo.gl/FXT643. Feel free to take a look as we add more throughout 2017.  


The future of technology is ahead of us and their is no way to tell what will occur throughout 2017 in the world of assistive technology devices. Like ReWarlk, we will set goals and a vision to create an inclusive society for Americans with Disabilities. 




If you are on SSI or SSDI, NTI wants to be there for you, to help you walk back into the workforce again. Throughout 2017, NTI will offer a variety of job choices. To find out more about our program, visit www.nticentral.org/learnmore. If you fill out an application, let them know how you found out about them and don't forget to spread the word.

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