Hi group members,
We have had information posted within the LINCS community in the last few weeks about the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). I wanted to find out how that legislation impacted on the disability population.
Also, in older posts to this community, a discussion on 'sheltered workshops' took place. Interestingly, these two topics coincide within the new law. It significantly limits placements at sheltered workshops and other work environments where people with disabilities earn less than minimum wage.
Under WIOA, individuals with disabilities age 24 and younger will no longer be allowed to work for less than the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour unless they first receive pre-employment transition services at school and try vocational rehabilitation services. Each state's vocational rehabilitation agencies must work with schools to provide transition services to all students with disabilities and requires that the agencies allocate at least 15 percent of their federal funding toward such transition efforts.
Although the law requires that students with disabilities try competitive employment first before working for less than minimum wage, there are exceptions for those who are deemed ineligible for vocational rehabilitation and who are already earning less than the federal minimum to continue in their jobs.
In cases where individuals with disabilities do earn less than minimum wage, the measure requires that the states provide them career counseling and inform them about other work opportunities.
Lastly, WIOA also shifts responsibility for some disability and independent living program functions from the U.S. Department of Education to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
My question about the new follows: Does this new law impact on any of the programs you are involved in? What changes do you expect to hear about?
Rochelle Kenyon, SME