Abstract: The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) mandates a new level of
seamlessness in services delivered to customers, including those with
disabilities. Using a case study methodology, this study examined the nature of
service delivery to individuals with disabilities in three states (Kentucky,
Minnesota, and Maine) as they worked to implement WIA. Findings revealed
participants' concerns about the capacity to effectively support job seekers
with disabilities. More importantly, individual states developed different
strategies to alleviate this concern. This included: creating an ADA
coordinator or team, using security tabs to protect confidentiality when data
sharing, having individuals with disabilities and disability professionals
represented on local boards, maintaining the vision that all partners serve all
customers, and using federal grant funds creatively. Implications are offered
for state and local officials who are implementing WIA as they work to
continually enhance services to people with disabilities in their One-Stop
systems.
Keywords: Workforce Investment Act (WIA), employment, individuals with disabilities, one-stop career centers
