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:
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) is committed to promoting a culture of inclusion where Louisiana’s citizens with disabilities have equitable access to, and equitable participation in, all programs and services. LRS’ mission, policies, and procedures provide the means to serve individuals with disabilities from all racial and ethnic groups, regardless of nationality, social and economic status, sexual orientation, religion, or political ideology. As required in Section 427 of GEPA, the mission, policies, and commitments of all programs under the umbrella of LRS provide equitable access and participation for all individuals with disabilities in the State of Louisiana, which includes students with disabilities. LRS Counselors are assigned to schools throughout the State of Louisiana to assure the availability of Pre-Employment Transition Services.
LRS staff provide assistive technology and other services, as necessary, for individuals to have equal access and fully participate in the vocational rehabilitation program. These services provide accessibility to, participation in, or employment in the programs and activities provided by LRS. Additionally, LRS assesses the need for, and provides, multiple modes of communication for meetings with consumers, application and intake processes, assessments, professional development activities, and meetings with partners, advocates, and stakeholders. At the State level, all expended funds for activities, including professional development and technical assistance, are inclusive of GEPA requirements.
As a consequence of the population LRS serves, staff are qualified and capable to assess and implement the necessary supports for individuals with disabilities to access and participate in programs in a manner that fulfills GEPA requirements.