2002 Leadership Challenges on Employment Policy
Audio Conference Series - March 28, 2002
One-Stop Accessibility
Featured speakers:
Moderator: Michael Morris
Director, RRTC on Workforce Investment and Employment Policy for Persons with Disabilities
Alexandra Kielty
Division Chief, disAbility Initiatives Unit
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
Rick Beasley
Director, Missouri Division of Workforce Development
Missouri Department of Economic Development
Andy Winnegar and Bill Newroe
New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
New Mexico One Project
Sally Weiss and Marsha Allen
Southeast Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center
Elizabeth Neidle
Regional Director of Workforce Development
Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh
This presentation discusses:
- Effective Strategies for Ensuring Physical, Communication and Program Accessibility in One-Stop Centers
- Increasing Understanding of the Needs and Experiences of People with Disabilities
- Customer Service Standards
The passage of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) marked the beginning of a new opportunity to develop a coordinated workforce development system. At a local level, a Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has the responsibility to design a system of services and supports that provides universal access to working age adults with and without disabilities. A network of One-Stop Resource Centers is the entry point for the workforce development system at the local community level. A One-Stop Center will make available core, intensive and training services to support skills development, career advancement, and job search activities.
Section 188 of the Act protects individuals with disabilities against discrimination in access and effective and meaningful participation in the services and supports offered through the workforce development system.
This audio conference will present strategies being implemented at both a state and local level that are achieving successful results in their identification and reduction of barriers to physical, communication, and program accessibility in One-Stop centers. The audio conference will also feature a self paced online course developed by the Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center titled "At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities." All speakers will identify ongoing challenges to participation in One-Stops by persons with disabilities and their effective utilization of technology assistance, customer service, and cross agency training to make a difference.