The Role of State VR Agencies in Workforce Investment Systems:
Creating a Universally Accessible and Seamless System that Meets the Needs of Persons with Disabilities

Robert “ Bobby Silverstein

Powers Pyles Sutter & Verville

February 25, 2009

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Overview

• VR Program is an integral component of the statewide workforce investment system.

• One-Stop Centers must provide physical and programmatic access for persons with disabilities.

• State VR agencies are expected to play leadership roles in providing access to One-Stop Centers for persons with disabilities.

• VR’s leadership role expected to be expanded when WIA and Rehab reauthorized.

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Purpose of the Presentation

• Assist State VR agencies in fulfilling their leadership roles in expanding and improving training opportunities for persons with disabilities received in and through One-Stop Centers.

• This includes all aspects of the operation of One-Stop Centers, including outreach, intake, screening and assessment, service delivery, evaluation, and operations/management.

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Organization of the Presentation

• First, describe key disability-related provisions in WIA and provisions prescribing VR’s leadership role in enhancing access for persons with disabilities.

• Second, present national initiatives.

• Third, present Southeast region state initiatives.

• Finally, present initiatives from other states outside of the region.

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Congressional Expectation

VR AND GENERIC SYSTEM

• Relationship between vocational rehabilitation programs and the generic workforce investment system.

• Role of VR as Change Agent

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Congressional Expectation

VR AND GENERIC SYSTEM

• Achieving the goals of disability policy articulated in the ADA.

  • Equality of Opportunity

  • Full Participation

  • Independent living

  • Economic-self-sufficiency

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Congressional Expectation

VR AND GENERIC SYSTEM

• Helping ensure the implementation of Section 188 of WIA (equal opportunity/nondiscrimination) and implementing regulations.

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Congressional Expectation

VR AND GENERIC SYSTEM

Section 188 Disability Checklist

• Designation of Equal Opportunity Officers

• Notice and Communication

• Assurances

• Universal Access

• Obligation not to Discriminate on the Basis of Disability

• Data and Information Collection and Maintenance

• Monitor for Compliance

• Complaint Processing

• Corrective Action/Sanctions 

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Congressional Expectation

VR AND GENERIC SYSTEM

• Reauthorization of WIA and Rehab Act

• Disability-Related Provisions in Previous Bills.

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National Initiatives

Civil Rights Center, DOL

• WIA Section 188 Disability Checklist

• CRC Power Point Training accompanying Checklist

• CRC Power Point Training on Disability-Related Inquiries 

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National Initiatives

Employment and Training Administration, DOL

• One-Stop Toolkit for Serving People with Disabilities

• Disability Program Navigator Technical Assistance Project

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National Initiatives

Office of Disability and Employment Policy and RSA

• National Center on Workforce and Disability, Institute for Community Inclusion

  • • Access for All: A Resource Manual for Meeting the Needs of One-Stop Customers with Disabilities

    • Policy briefs and papers by Bobby Silverstein

    • Universal Design Initiatives

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State Initiatives

Office of Disability and Employment Policy and RSA

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

• DBTAC network of ADA centers “at your service—welcoming customers with disabilities”

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Southeast Region State Initiatives

• Alabama

• Georgia

• Florida

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• Tennessee

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State Initiatives in other Regions

• Alaska

• Arizona

• California

• Iowa

• Maine

• Missouri

• New Mexico

• Oregon

• Utah

• Wisconsin

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Questions…

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Contact Information

Robert “Bobby” Silverstein

Power Pyles Sutter & Verville

Email: Bobby.Silverstein@ppsv.com

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THANK YOU!

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TACE Center: Region IV

Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty]

Fax: (404) 541-9002

Web: TACEsoutheast.org

My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

Email: tacesoutheast@law.syr.edu

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Disclaimer

This presentation was developed by the
TACE Center: Region IV ©2009 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A080021. However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR 75.620 (b)].

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Copyright Information

This work is the property of the TACE Center: Region IV.

Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors.