Funding to Support WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS OFFICE

Accessibility Standards

DISCUSSION PAPER

Background

On July 27, 2016, TWC’s three-member Commission (Commission) approved funding for Local Workforce Development Boards (Boards) to ensure that all Workforce Solutions Offices had appropriate software and accessibility solutions in place to serve customers with disabilities.

The workgroup developed a list of required accommodations and provided examples of products/solutions available to address the needed changes (Attachment 1). The workgroup further recommended that Boards ensure that for every 20workstations available to the public, oneworkstation is required to meet the minimum standards for, and be dedicated for use by,individuals with disabilities. Workforce Solutions Offices that have a workstation count exceeding 40may factor in demand before dedicating additional workstations. Workforce Solutions Offices with fewerthan 20workstations will be required to have one workstation that meets the minimum standards. Additionally, for software solutions the workgroup recommends that software be no more than two versions prior to the current release version. These standards apply to workstations in resource rooms, as well as workstations in computer labs and classrooms.

Issue

The amount requested by one Board was incorrect. The Board has submitted information clarifying its needs to upgrade resource rooms and computer labs/classrooms.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Commission approve a modification to the funding previously approved to ensure that all Boards acquire necessary products forall Workforce Solutions Offices to meet minimum accessibility standards (Attachment 1). This brings the total amount requested from $506,732 to $536,588.

Notebook: Commission Meeting September 6, 2016

Attachment 1

Board Costs to Address Minimum Accessibility Standards

LWDA / Cost
WF Solutions Panhandle / $16,878.93
WF Solutions South Plains / $10,000.00
WF Solutions North Texas / $10,000.00
WF Solutions for North Central Texas / $78,194.00
WF Solutions for Tarrant County / $570 $30,425.00
WF Solutions Greater Dallas / $43,381.00
WF Solutions Northeast Texas / $10,058.80
WF Solutions East Texas / $4,474.68
WF Solutions of West Central Texas / $18,625.00
WF Solutions Borderplex / $30,535.00
WF Solutions Permian Basin / $16,836.06
WF Solutions Concho Valley / $9,145.00
WF Solutions for the Heart of Texas / $15,000.00
WF Solutions Capital Area / $6,294.39
WF Solutions Rural Capital Area / $33,036.77
WF Solutions Brazos Valley / $13,076.00
WF Solutions Deep East Texas / $16,823.16
WF Solutions Southeast Texas / $1,312.63
WF Solutions Golden Crescent / $13,000.00
WF Solutions Alamo / $69,000.00
WF Solutions for South Texas / $8,000.00
WF Solutions of the Coastal Bend / $9,000.00
WF Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley / $8,924.20
WF Solutions Cameron County / $20,715.00
WF Solutions Texoma / $5,097.00
WF Solutions of Central Texas / $18,245.00
WF Solutions Middle Rio Grande / $5,743.27
WF Solutions Gulf Coast / $14,767.00
Total / $506,732.89 $536,588.00

Notebook: Commission Meeting September 6, 2016