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

linda.jaco@okstate.edu

Oklahoma ABLE Tech

Oklahoma State University

1-800-257-1705