Narrative:

TWC grants for AEFLA-funded activities, including the 2017 AEL statewide grants, which began July 1, 2018, adhere to §231(c) and ensure that eligible providers have equitable access to apply and compete for grants and contracts. All TWC AELFA-funded grants and contract opportunities are published on two statewide websites: the Texas SmartBuy-Electronic State Business Daily Search and Texas.gov eGrants Application to ensure equal access to application information. Furthermore, TWC provides notifications to public parties that wish to be notified of these grant and procurement opportunities via email notification, which they may register for on the TWC website.

TWC also ensures equitable access to and participation in all projects and activities conducted with federal adult education funds. The 2017 statewide AEFLA grant required offerors to describe how they effectively met the 13 considerations under WIOA, which includes how responsive the offeror is to serving individuals in need of AEL services and the ability to serve individuals with disabilities. Before awarding contracts, which went into effect July 1, 2018, for the AEL statewide grant, TWC required AEFLA grantees to describe the steps to be taken to address the access needs of students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries to overcome barriers to equitable participation. Barriers addressed were those based on gender, race, color, national origin, disability, and age.

Additionally, general contract terms for all AEL contractors, including those funded under AEFLA §223 (state leadership activities) and §231, are required to comply with the nondiscrimination provisions   of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. General contract terms for all AEFLA-funded contracts require grantees not to discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, or beneficiary because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, temporary medical condition, political affiliation or belief, or citizenship, and to ensure that the treatment of employees and applicants are free of discrimination.

Regarding AEFLA administrative funds, which fund TWC staff administering the AEFLA program in Texas, TWC’s equal opportunity policy conforms to all applicable federal and state laws to provide equal opportunity in employment and maintains processes to ensure nondiscriminatory practices are enforced within the agency’s hiring practices. AEFLA-funded staff and TWC staff are required to take training on diversity, equal opportunity employment, and discrimination prevention.

Programs must address the special challenges that students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries face in overcoming barriers to participation and are required to describe how individuals will benefit from equitable access to services, including access in the areas of facilities, assessment, orientation, and overall service delivery.

TWC ensures equal opportunities for all eligible students, teachers, and other program beneficiaries to participate in any project or activity carried out under the applicable programs, including AEL, and promotes the ability of such students, teachers, and beneficiaries to meet high standards. AEL grantees are required to provide accessible, safe, and convenient instructional facilities that are ADA-accessible, near public transportation, close to free parking, and secure and safe.

TWC ensures that local providers give equal access to, and afford equitable participation in, all such projects and activities through the monitoring and technical assistance process, and that they follow the applicable laws.