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 - Supported Employment
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 - Supported Employment
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:
DSHS/DVR's mission, vision, and values embody a commitment to equity, diversity, access and inclusion (EDAI).
Mission: Transforming lives by assisting individuals with disabilities to fully participate in their communities through meaningful employment.
Vision: Students, youth, and adults with disabilities are empowered to dream big and achieve their employment goals.
Values
- Transparency through clear, honest communication with customers, staff and partners.
- Acting with Integrity, upholding the ethics and values of our profession.
- Promoting a culture of Empowerment for customers and staff.
- Advancing rehabilitation practices through Innovation.
- Collaboration with customers, staff, and partners that produces results.
- Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Access and Inclusion in all its forms to achieve excellence.
DSHS/DVR strives to ensure equitable access to and delivery of services through practices such as:
- Making services available and accessible statewide through in-person, virtual, and hybrid options.
- Providing translation and interpreter services, access to technology and assistive technology, and other accommodations for customers.
- Outreach to unserved and underserved populations to assess community needs and increase applications from individuals who are unfamiliar with or have difficulty accessing DSHS/DVR services.
- Monitoring demographic characteristics of applicants, case progress, and outcomes and analyzing trends for possible disparities.
- Advocating for people with disabilities and providing expertise to support access to local WorkSource programs.
- Coordinating with a wide range of partners that serve diverse populations and communities.
DSHS/DVR is creating a diverse, inclusive, and culturally aware workforce by eliminating barriers to growth and opportunity, allowing each employee to contribute their full measure of talent, and building capacity to deliver innovative, effective, and culturally relevant services to customers throughout the State. Practices include:
- Employing an EDAI Administrator and a Tribal Relations Administrator, to provide expertise on working with diverse populations and communities.
- Targeted recruitment, retention, and promotion of staff to increase the number of people of color in leadership positions and build a workforce that is representative of customers.
- Utilizing an EDAI lens to develop and deliver staff training.
- Providing staff training on government-to-government relations and cultural humility when working with American Indian and Alaska Native customers.
- Providing staff opportunities for experiential learning to build a foundational understanding of EDAI topics and concepts and assist with organizational culture shifts.