Narrative: b. 1. B.

To assess the needs of individuals with disabilities who are minorities, unserved or underserved, LRS extracted information from various surveys including LRS consumers, workforce partners, stakeholders, the public and LRS employees.

When asked about barriers to employment, respondents reported the following needs: Employer sensitivity training for greater understanding and acceptance of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, better transportation services throughout the state to access employment, and benefits planning to address individual’s fear of losing government benefits and additional public resources. It was noted that services are needed for individuals living in rural areas as well as CRPs to provide services such as job skills and job readiness training, job placement assistance, and post-employment services. It was also noted that LRS needs to do more outreach to rural communities, students and employed individuals who may need accommodations such as assistive technology devices.

When asked how LRS can increase engagement with minorities with disabilities, the following recommendations were provided by LRS Employee Survey respondents: community outreach; participation in organizations for minorities, marketing, more LRS staff, a better relationship with schools and other educational facilities; and training for staff on diversity.

LRS will continue to develop strategies to address these identified needs in collaboration with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Transportation and other partners.

Needs identified by unserved/underserved respondents were much the same as those who identified themselves as being a minority. These individuals can be living in rural areas, not have a significant disability, and/or not meet LRS’ economic need criteria. CRPs were identified as being needed in rural areas to assist individuals in preparing for and obtaining employment. Transportation also continues to be a need in rural communities.

LRS Employee Survey respondents indicated the most common unserved and underserved populations to be individuals located in rural areas with limited to no access to transportation or public support services; diverse populations; individuals with a mental illness; and individuals with disabilities needing services to retain/maintain current employment.

LRS will develop strategies to address identified needs in collaboration with the state’s Department of Corrections, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, and other partners. LRS will collaborate with the Department of Corrections to determine the best way to identify individuals leaving correctional facilities who may need LRS services so that these individuals can be referred upon release. LRS will collaborate with the Department of Transportation to try to identify transportation solutions for participants living in rural and other areas that do not have easy access to public transportation. LRS will also assess the current economic need criteria to determine if changes can be made in an effort to provide more services to those individuals who are not currently being served. It has been noted that LRS’ policy for financial need determination is very complex, so LRS will assess how this can be simplified and initiate the promulgation process if necessary to make the needed changes.