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.) with regard to 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:
Michigan Works! Service Centers must be inclusive of all customers to be effective. Inclusion honors and accommodates diversity. A universally accessible system requires meeting the diverse customer needs that exist within the local delivery area, which includes the needs of individuals with disabilities, people of different cultures, and persons with barriers to employment. Where inclusion abounds, centers are welcoming, inviting, accommodating, and accessible to everyone.
As recipients of federal funds, the Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs) are required to comply with regulations relating to non–discrimination, equal opportunity, and inclusion. The most critical of these regulations are:
- Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1998, as amended.
- Titles I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- The Americans with Disability Act Accessibility Guidelines or the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.
In addition, priority will be given to assuring that throughout the system, persons with physical, mental, cognitive, and sensory disabilities will have programmatic and physical access to all Michigan Works! Service Center services and activities. Such actions include, but are not limited to:
- Providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
- Making reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination against persons with disabilities.
- Administering programs in the most integrated setting appropriate.
- Communicating with persons with disabilities as effectively as with others.
- Providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including assistive technology devices and services where necessary to afford individuals with disabilities an opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of the program or activity.
Michigan’s certification criteria for its Michigan Works! One-Stop centers requires that a system of management and staff development must be in place in the local area that supports service integration and collocation principles as well as informed, professional, and customer friendly service. On-site review(s) will be conducted by the State during the life of the certification to verify compliance with the criteria outlined in the State’s Certification policy, which includes accessibility and inclusion.
High quality Michigan Works! Service Centers train and equip staff via an ongoing learning process with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to provide superior service to job seekers, including those with disabilities, and business in an integrated, regionally focused framework of service delivery. Michigan Works! Service Center staff are cross-trained, as appropriate, to increase staff capacity, expertise, and efficiency. Cross-training allows staff from differing programs to understand every program and to share their expertise about the needs of specific populations so that all staff can better serve customers. Michigan Works! Service Center staff are routinely trained and keenly aware of how their particular function supports/contributes to the overall vision of the local Workforce Development Board.
Each year, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s State-level Equal Opportunity (EO) Officer conducts an EO training for all MWA EO Officers. The training topics vary from year to year and may include but are not limited to: social media and employment discrimination, discrimination complaints, using and storing disability related information, recognizing hidden disabilities and identifying strategies to assist individuals, and assistive technologies.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)
MRS and BSBP provide training and materials on the unique needs of individuals with disabilities to One-Stop center staff. Memorandums of Understandings and Infrastructure Funding Agreements provide an assurance of accessibility for individuals with disabilities seeking employment services.