The RSA has announced three regional meetings to provide technical assistance on program specific requirements in programs established under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as reauthorized by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The meetings will be held on Aug. 9 in Washington DC, Sept. 7 in Chicago Illinois and Sept. 27 in Sacramento, California.

These meetings are expected to be held in conjunction with the release of its new regulations. Specific topics to be addressed include changes to competitive integrated employment, employment outcomes, limits on the use of subminimum wage, transition services, supported employment, and fiscal requirements.

 Landlord Accountability Act of 2016 introduced

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced the Landlord Accountability Act of 2016 (H.R. 5401).

The bill would ban housing discrimination based on a tenant’s use of a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. The bill also includes a number of provisions designed to improve living conditions in Department of Housing and Urban Development assisted multifamily housing, including creating a tax credit to incentivize landlords to make repairs to units.

The bill was referred to the House Committees on Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Judiciary.

 Dept. of Education’s civil rights data collection shows continuing disparities

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released new data showing persistent disparities in our nation’s public schools between minority and non-minority students.

Gaps that still remain for students of color and those with disabilities include incidents of discipline, restraint and seclusion, access to courses and programs that lead to college and career readiness, teacher equity, rates of retention, and access to early learning.

Notable findings for students with disabilities in grades K-12 include disproportionate rates of suspension and restraint or seclusion.

Students with disabilities served by IDEA (11 percent) are more than twice as likely to receive one or more out-of-school suspensions as students without disabilities (5 percent) and students with disabilities served by IDEA represent 12 percent of all students, but 67 percent of students subject to restraint or seclusion.