2002 Leadership Challenges on Employment Policy
Audio Conference Series - May 23, 2002
Section 188 - Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
Featured speakers:
Moderator: Michael Morris
Director, RRTC on Workforce Investment and Employment Policy for Persons with Disabilities
Gregory T. Shaw
Chief, Office of External Enforcement, Civil Rights Center
U.S. Department of Labor
Evelyn Rodrigues (invited)
Department of Employment Security, Washington State
Robert Silverstein
Director of the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy
Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) prohibits discrimination on the grounds of disability, as well as race, color, religion, sex, age, and national origin. Discriminatory actions prohibited by the final regulations issued on November 12, 1999 include denying an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in or benefit from services or training offered through the workforce development system; affording an opportunity that is not equal to those afforded to others; or providing different, segregated, or separate opportunity to individuals with disabilities that is not as effective as those provided to others. In addition, individuals with disabilities must be provided reasonable accommodations with regard to benefits, services, training, and employment assistance that is made available through One-Stop Centers.
Each state is required to submit to the Civil Rights Center of the U.S. Department of Labor, a written plan called a "Methods of Administration" (MOA) that describes how the state will meet its nondiscrimination and equal opportunity responsibilities.
This audio conference will provide an update and status report on current federal activities regarding oversight of the state's Section 188 obligations. The conference will share findings and recommendations regarding a review and analysis of a selected sample of state MOUs for policymakers, persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders in the workforce system. Complaint procedures and the rights of persons with disabilities will be reviewed and suggested strategies for systems change will be highlighted.