2004 Employment and Training Task Force Report

Continued work to resuscitate the Workforce Investment Act and Rehabilitation Act including meetings with House and Senate staff, revising and refining our position papers and pushing hard for physical and programmatic access within the OneStops.   Prepared numerous letters regarding reauthorization on key legislative issues.   

Reviewed and submitted comments on common performance measures for DOL employment programs, NIDDR Notice of Proposed Priorities under the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center program, and ETA Management Information and Longitudinal Evaluation (EMILE) Reporting System. 

Continued joint activities with the Work Incentives Implementation task force on “Ticket to Work” issues.                   

Had a meeting with GAO on scope of work plan for review of RSA operations. 

Met with Deputy Associate Director of OPM on disability policy implementation and  employment, promotion, and retention of workers with disabilities. We also wrote to Chairman Istook regarding appropriations language directing OPM to assess and report on the problem of downturn in employment of people with disabilities.  Worked with Hill staff on legislation to protect the jobs of people with disabilities due to outsourcing.   

Had a Department of Labor meeting with Mason Bishop, Troy Justensen, et al, on recommendations for one stop disability policy.   

Participated in meetings with Hill staff regarding legislative initiatives to improve self-employment and entrepreneurial outcomes for people with disabilities.   

Provided “in service training” to task force members using invited speakers from the  National Association of Workforce Boards and Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services. 

                                                      Planned Activities in 2005

The task force will:

● continue to work toward reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act and Rehabilitation Act to ensure continuation of quality, accessible programs to prepare  people with disabilities for employment.

● push DOL for responsible administration of DOL OneStops including guidance and staff training, as well as monitoring and oversight to assure programs access and services to people with disabilities.  

●  continue to work with OPM, (Office of Management and Budget) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to advance federal employment for qualified individuals with disabilities. 

Employment and Training Co Chairs:  Cheryl Bates-Harris, National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems; Alan Dinsmore, American Federation of the Blind; Charlie Harles, I-NABIR; Celane McWhorter, Association for Persons in Supported Employment