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One-Stop career centers and job seekers with disabilities: insights from Kansas

Journal of Rehabilitation, Oct-Dec, 2005 by Jean P. Hall, Kathy Parker

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A more recent study (GAO, 2004) of 18 One-Stop centers found inconsistent progress toward architectural accessibility, assistive technology, and staff capacity to serve people with disabilities. The study also indicated variability in the structure of the relationship between One-Stop centers and VR, the agency to which many people with disabilities are referred for additional services. The report concludes that, although action has been taken to facilitate access to One-Stops for persons with disabilities, these efforts may not be sufficient.

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Holcomb and Barnow (2004) examined the One-Stop system capacity to serve people with disabilities by analyzing selected WIA data, reviewing existing literature, and holding discussions with numerous stakeholders. They found significant strides had been made in reducing physical barriers since WINs inception. However, they identified four major barriers to serving people with disabilities in the One-Step system. First, job seekers are initially expected to use a resource room on their own without registering or disclosing their disability, thus staff have difficulty knowing who may need assistive technology or accommodations to access core services. Second, when One-Stop staff becomes aware of a customer's disability, they often make an automatic referral to VR rather than making One-Stop services accessible to the customer, and referring to VR only if the customer needs rehabilitation services. Third, many One-Stops are unwilling to use their limited training resources for people with disabilities who might take longer to train, and may not achieve full-time employment as a result of the training. Finally, programs must meet performance standards for employment and earnings of customers receiving intensive services or training. If they fail to meet these standards, they are subject to sanctions, including losing their right to operate. However, the performance standards are not adjusted for customers who face discrimination or other employment barriers, thus discouraging One-Stop staff from providing intensive services and training to people with disabilities.

At this writing, the 1998 WIA legislation is undergoing the congressional reauthorization process. One proposal under consideration seeks to remove dedicated funding to VR and make it available for the provision of more "generic" One-Stop services. This proposal is particularly troubling given the apparent inability of the current service system to meet the needs of job seekers with disabilities, as demonstrated by others' research as well as our own.

We present here information collected from job seekers with disabilities regarding their thoughts about ideal One-Stop service provision and their actual experiences with One-Stops in Kansas. We examine our consumers' comments and experiences using three broad categories--accessibility, attitudes and disability awareness of staff, and services--to assess the overall effectiveness of the One-Stops in providing employment services to Kansans with disabilities.

Health Care Industry

One-Stop career centers and job seekers with disabilities: insights from Kansas

Journal of Rehabilitation, Oct-Dec, 2005 by Jean P. Hall, Kathy Parker

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