Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.
- GEPA 427 Form Instructions for Application Package - Vocational Rehabilitation
EQUITY FOR STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND OTHER PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES
OMB Control Number 1894-0005 Expiration 02/28/2026
Section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) (20 U.S.C. 1228a) applies to a State applicant submitting a state plan for a formula grant from the US Department of Education. The State applicant is responsible for completing the GEPA Section 427 form that provides a description of the steps the State proposes to take to ensure all program beneficiaries have equitable access to, and participation in, its Federally funded, State-level project or activity.
GEPA Section 427 Form Instructions for State Applicants
State applicants must respond to the following four questions:
1. Describe how your entity’s existing mission, policies, or commitments ensure equitable access to, and equitable participation in, the proposed project or activity.
2. Based on your proposed project or activity, what barriers may impede equitable access and participation of students, educators, or other beneficiaries?
3. Based on the barriers identified, what steps will you take to address such barriers to equitable access and participation in the proposed project or activity?
4. What is your timeline, including targeted milestones, for addressing these identified barriers?
• Applicants identify any barriers that may impede equitable access and participation in the proposed project or activity, including, but not limited to, barriers based on economic disadvantage, gender, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, age, language, migrant status, rural status, homeless status or housing insecurity, pregnancy, parenting, or caregiving status, and sexual orientation.
• Applicants use the associated text box to respond to each question. However, applicants might have already included some or all this required information in the narrative sections of their applications or their State Plans. In responding to this requirement, for each question, applicants may provide a cross-reference to the section(s) in their State Plans that includes the information responsive to that question on this form or may restate that information on this form.
• Applicants are not required to have mission statements or policies that align with equity to apply.
• Applicants that have already undertaken steps to address barriers must still provide an explanation and/or description of the steps already taken in each text box, as appropriate, to satisfy the GEPA Section 427 requirement.
• Applicants that believe no barriers exist must still provide an explanation and/or description to each question to validate that perception, as appropriate, to satisfy the GEPA Section 427 requirement.
Please refer to GEPA 427 - Form Instructions for Application Package
- GEPA 427 Form Instructions for Application Package - Vocational Rehabilitation
1. Describe how your entity’s existing mission, policies, or commitments ensure equitable access to, and equitable participation in, the proposed project or activity.
Section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA) (20 U.S.C. 1228a) applies to a State applicant submitting a state plan for a formula grant from the US Department of Education. The State applicant is responsible for completing the GEPA Section 427 form that provides a description of the steps the State proposes to take to ensure all program beneficiaries have equitable access to, and participation in, its Federally funded, State-level project or activity.
GEPA 427 - Form Instructions for Application Package
State applicants must respond to four questions.
The first of four questions is:
Describe how your entity’s existing mission, policies, or commitments ensure equitable access to, and equitable participation in, the proposed project or activity.
Current Narrative:
- Mission: Working together to promote a thriving employment environment with opportunity for every Coloradan with a disability to live independently and prosper.
- Vision: People with disabilities are essential to a working economy that elevates all of Colorado.
- Equity, Diversity, & Accessibility Statement: “The State of Colorado believes that an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace is one where all employees and community partners, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education, disability, socio-economic status, or any other identify feel valued and respected. We are committed to nondiscriminatory practices and providing equitable opportunities for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, services, and workshites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and work to ensure that all voices are heard so that a person’s future success is not determined by their identity.” (Executive Order D 2020 175)
- Service Delivery Policies:
- Introduction, Considerations for and Expectations of DVR Staff and People Receiving Services: “All DVR Staff shall be mindful of, respectful of, and sensitive to individual differences . . . among other staff, recipients of services, and individuals associated with outside agencies with which DVR interacts.”
- 1.2.1 Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination: All vocational rehabilitation services shall be provided without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, sex stereotyping, transgender status, and gender identify), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or on the basis of the individual’s citizenship status.
- 1.2.2 Accessibility Standards: All offices and programs within DVR shall substantially comply with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968; with Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. DVR must take reasonable steps to ensure that communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as communications with others.
Each of the above documents support full and equitable access to vocational rehabilitation services across Colorado. All DVR staff receive training in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. All people receiving services are notified of their rights and what they should do if they believe they’ve experienced discrimination while seeking services from DVR.
DVR champions equitable access throughout the Department and Workforce Development system through engagement of DVR leaders on local Workforce Boards and the DVR Director’s participation on the Statewide Workforce Development Council. DVR has supported Employment First within Colorado by administering the Employment First Advisory Partnership and dedicating staff resources to focus on expansion of Employment First policies in Colorado. DVR has robust partnerships with State and Local Education Agencies, the state’s Medicaid Agency (Department of Healthcare Policy & Financing), the Behavioral Health Administration, local Community Centered Boards, Centers for Independent Living, and others to ensure equitable access to services across the state.