Leveraging new rules to advance new opportunities: Implications of the Rehabilitation Act Section 503 new rules for employment service providers

Abstract

BACKGROUND: New rules for Rehabilitation Act Section 503 have recently taken effect which could potentially have a significant impact on the employment of people with disabilities. Because the Section 503 new rules cover employers who are federal contractors, the supports and resources around the new rules are mainly directed toward this audience. Yet, these new rules could also have significant impacts on employment service providers (ESPs) who work with individuals with disabilities, offering new opportunities for them to build partnerships, expand services, and create talent pipelines. With the new rules recently taking effect, ESPs have a short window of time to be ready; businesses and employers are now actively seeking to connect with ESP agencies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to enable ESPs to prepare for the implementation of the new Section 503 rules by considering how they partner with employers, work with service recipients or, in some cases, function as employers themselves. METHODS: First, we provide a brief overview, focusing on what gave rise to the new rules and how they could impact the work of ESPs. Second, we take a deeper look at some questions and challenges ESPs could have around the new Section 503 rules. Third, we focus on specific ways ESPs can prepare for the new rules and include a checklist for assessing the readiness of ESP organizations or practitioners. Finally, we describe resources for ESPs around implementation of the new Section 503 rules. CONCLUSION: ESPs play a key role in the implementation, effectiveness and outcome of the new regulations. In preparing to play this role, ESPs need to consider their values, messaging, work with service recipients, and outreach to employers. Some ESPs who are covered under the new rules need to assess their own employment practices for compliance.