Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Programs
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the following as it pertains to adult education and literacy programs and activities under title II of WIOA, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA).
Section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)
In the text box below, describe the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to, and participation in, its Federally-assisted program for students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs provide the information to meet the requirements of Section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA), consistent with the following instructions posted at https://www2.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/gepa427.doc.
Current Narrative:
The Office of Adult Education Initiatives (AEI) has taken multiple steps to ensure federally funded adult education programs are providing equitable access to, and participation in, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) services in regards to students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries with special needs. AEI conducts data monitoring and frequently reviews program data disaggregated by the barriers outlined in the statute against state and local demographic data to spot trends in service provision and technical assistance opportunities. AEI also monitors the plans for Section 427 compliance that programs submit with their applications.
To ensure that disability status is not a barrier to participation in adult education programs, AEI was a lead partner of the Disability Employment Initiative grant Colorado was awarded in September 2017 by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The state team worked to develop and publish a programmatic accessibility course that is available to AEFLA grantees and frontline WIOA partner staff members. AEI also has an Accessible Design Policy that outlines requirements for local programs around ensuring equitable access to services, staff training, testing accommodations, language on promotional materials, etc. The execution of the policy is monitored by AEI staff during on-site visits. Professional learning opportunities are provided by AEI in collaboration with disability experts for local grantee Accessible Design Coordinators.
To ensure that race, national origin, and/or color are not a barrier to participation, AEI collaborates with multiple offices and agencies to understand and try to meet the needs of various populations around the state. AEI is fortunate enough to have a longstanding relationship with CDE’s Office of Migrant Education and Office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. As part of the Colorado Department of Education’s ongoing tribal consultations, AEI is collaborating with the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs to ensure tribal concerns and needs are reflected in adult education services.
AEI takes a multi-pronged approach to ensure compliance with Section 427.