wioa and vr: opportunities for state at programs competitive and integrated employment for people...
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WIOA and VR:Opportunities for State AT ProgramsCompetitive and Integrated Employment for People with Disabilities
GAPSWorkforce Utilization, Income, Poverty, and Oklahomans with Disabilities
Workforce Utilization• Age 18-64
• 35.8% of people with disabilities are employed.• 75.2% of people without disabilities are employed.
• From http://www.disabilitycompendium.org/compendium-statistics/employment.
Median Income• Median earnings, age 16 and up
• People with disabilities: $21,935• People without disabilities: $28,435
• $6,500 disparity• From http://
www.disabilitycompendium.org/compendium-statistics/earnings/5-1-median-earnings-of-civilians-16-years-and-over-in-the-past-12-months-for-the-u-s-
Poverty in Oklahoma• Age 18-64
• People with disabilities, 27.4%• People without disabilities, 13.7%
• From http://www.disabilitycompendium.org/compendium-statistics/poverty
Opportunities
• Emphasis on increasing household wealth for all Oklahomans
• Access for All initiative• Partnerships
• Oklahoma ABLE Tech and Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
• Workforce Partners
Civil Rights and Employment• People with disabilities are protected by civil rights laws
• Americans with Disabilities Act• Federal Rehabilitation Act
• Access to all phases of employment is a civil right
Additional Pushes• Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act
• 7% workforce utilization goal in federal contractors
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA)• Specific focus on integrated, competitive employment for people
with disabilities
• Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA)• Requires affirmative action in hiring and retaining protected
veterans
RECAPAccess for All: Year One
Training• Access for All Academies
• Statewide• Regional
• Help to give everyone equal footing from the start• Help us all to meet obligations
Accessibility Integration Plan
On the Ground• Workforce Center accessibility evaluations
• Each Center location• Focused evaluation• Basis for future activities• Easy wins!
• Technology accessibility evaluations• Program level• Website or software product level
LOOKING FORWARDAccess for All: Year Two
Accessibility Solutions Toolkit• Details about each Workforce Center barrier
• Suggested or possible remedies• Timelines• Certificates to Workforce Centers as barriers are removed• Renewed every other year
• Unless a move or renovation happens
Increase Focus on Technology Accessibility• Why?
• Employment and technology• Programs for job seekers and technology
• What is technology accessibility?• Let’s discuss…
• Making more accessible documents in Microsoft Word• Designing accessible websites• Building accessibility into procurement and use processes
More Resources• Expanded website• Newsletters• Weekly Assistive Technology and Accommodations Tips• Fact sheets
• Service animals• Obligations in leasing or renting space• Technology procurement
Contact UsLinda Jaco, Director
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Oklahoma State University
1-800-257-1705