Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 8. Addressing the Accessibility of the One-Stop Delivery System for Individuals with Disabilities
Describe how the one-stop delivery system (including one-stop center operators and the one-stop delivery system partners), will comply with section 188 of WIOA (if applicable) and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) regarding the physical and programmatic accessibility of facilities, programs, services, technology, and materials for individuals with disabilities. This also must include a description of compliance through providing staff training and support for addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities. Describe the State’s one-stop center certification policy, particularly the accessibility criteria.
Current Narrative:
Missouri has a committee specifically focused on one-stop certification criteria. The committee established the criteria for certification, including accessibility. This committee includes representatives from Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, and the Centers for Independent Living that assist with training and technical assistance to ensure accessibility of facilities, programs, services, technology, and materials for individuals with disabilities. Accessibility criteria for certification include the requirements contained in Section 188, which includes policy review, adaptive technology equipment availability, and emergency procedures.
The State Equal Opportunity Officer coordinates training for Local Equal Opportunity Officers and other partner staff, which includes Vocational Rehabilitation staff, to bring awareness to WIOA Section 188 requirements. The Missouri’s Nondiscrimination Plan describes how the state will conduct annual monitoring for each local workforce development region to ensure compliance with WIOA Section 188, 29 CFR 38, and the Missouri Nondiscrimination Plan.
OWD Issuance 12-2017 “Minimum Standards for Assistive Technologies in Missouri Job Centers,” provides guidance for basic assistive technology at each job center. In 2018, a survey of all job centers was completed that provided additional information on the strides made to make every job center accessible for individuals with disabilities. In 2019, OWD began the process of upgrading and modernizing the assistive technology in the job centers. This included the installation of Windows 10, which has many built-in accessibility features, as well as large monitors, hydraulic arms, webcams, document cameras, alternate keyboards, height adjustable tables, headsets, magnifier software, narrator software, and ipTTY software training for all staff on utilizing assistive technology include both online and classroom classes.
Policy guidelines for one-stop certification were updated and issued in 2019. Included in the issuance are criteria for programmatic and physical accessibility. Onsite reviewers were provided an extensive checklist to confirm that every job center meets WIOA standards of programmatic and physical accessibility.