1. Policy and Regulation Update
2019 RAISE Summit
Ron Hager, NDRN Managing Attorney
May 6, 2019

2. The Raise the Wage Act of 2019
Gradually raise federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 over next six years
Index future increases in federal minimum wage to median wage growth
Guarantees tipped workers are paid at least full federal minimum wage
Guarantees teen workers are paid at least full federal minimum wage
Ends subminimum wage certificates for individuals with disabilities

3. Transformation to Competitive Employment Act
Create competitive state grant program to assist states to transition all 14(c) certificate holders to models that support competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities
Create competitive grant program for current 14(c) certificate holders, located in states that do not apply for state grant, to transition their business models to support individuals with disabilities in competitive, integrated employment
Immediately freeze issuance of any new 14(c) certificates by DOL, and phase out the use of existing 14(c) certificates over 6 years until employees are paid federal minimum wage

4. Transformation to Competitive Employment Act
Establish TA center to support all entities, even those not receiving transformation grants, to transition to competitive integrated employment
TA center, funded by DOL, tasked with disseminating information about best practices, lessons learned, and models for transition to all entities transitioning to competitive, integrated employment
Require reporting and evaluation on progress of creating and expanding service delivery structure to support workers with disabilities in competitive integrated settings and inclusive wraparound services they receive when not working

5. Keeping All Students Safe Act
Introduced last Congress
Expected to be re-introduced this Congress
Eliminates use of seclusion
Limits use of restraint to preventing serious physical injury to self or others
Requires parental notification and debriefing
Data collection
Resources for staff development

6. Improving Access to Higher Education Act
Included within larger higher education reauthorization bill in last Congress
Competitive grants to train faculty, staff, and administrators in teaching methods and strategies, implementing accommodations, effective transition practices, distance learning, and career pathway guidance
Requires office of accessibility and outlines responsibilities of that office, including transparency and dissemination of information related to accommodations and adopting policies that support students with disabilities in obtaining accommodations

7. Improving Access to Higher Education Act
New grant program to implement UDL across entire institution or within a distance learning program, making all aspects of college more accessible for students with disabilities
Commission to develop guidelines to provide high-quality instructional materials and technologies to students with disabilities, especially students who are blind or have vision loss
Expand Higher Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Improve Data Collection and Closed Captioning Training

8. Competitive Integrated Employment Regulation
Included as part of WIOA implementing regulations in 2016
Effort to get ED to revise definition of “integrated”
Currently requires full integration with workers without disabilities in all phases of work
Does not allow disability only work units
Must be at a location typically found in the community