Employment Laws and Rules

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal law that became effective in 2014, with regulations issued in 2016. WIOA provides for Pre- Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to youth with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for support from a vocational rehabilitation agency.

Youth with an IEP or 504 Plan may become eligible for Pre-Employment Transition Services at 14 years old. There are five activities available under Pre-ETS:

• Job exploration counseling
• Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or community-based opportunities
• Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs
• Workplace readiness training
• Social skills and independent living skills
• Instruction in self-advocacy, including peer mentoring

Pre-ETS are provided by MRS or BSBP to a youth who has an IEP or Section 504 Plan. The services need to be coordinated with other transition services provided by the school district and others. Pre-ETS are not meant to replace the transition services in a youth’s IEP, but rather to enhance them. Each Local Education Agency (LEA) needs to collaborate with MRS or BSBP to ensure that the provision of Pre-ETS is complementary to the transition services being provided.

The IEP team must also consider the need for consultation from other agencies beginning when a youth turns 16, or younger if appropriate.

Learn more about the WIOA.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that helps people with disabilities achieve their employment goals. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 focuses on the outcome of transition services:

• Career development
• Competitive employment in the integrated labor market
• Self-sufficiency of the youth.

In each state, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 authorizes vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies. In Michigan, the vocational rehabilitation agencies are Michigan Rehabilitations Services (MRS) and the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP).

Representatives of VR agencies may be invited to IEP meetings where transition planning is discussed, and they may be able to provide input for transition assessments (such as a functional vocational evaluation) and post-school training or employment objectives.

Learn more about the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Michigan Mental Health Code is a law that was created back in 1974. It is designed to provide guidance on how mental health services are provided in the state of Michigan. The Mental Health Code itself is made of about 13 different chapters, one of which applies directly to health systems. The law talks about things like what services people who get supports by Community Mental Health (CMH) in Michigan can receive. It spells out things like Person-Centered Planning and Recipient Rights.

View the full Mental Health Code (MCL - Act 258 of 1974)

Public transportation offers you an affordable and accessible way to get around. By using public transportation, you have greater access to employment, education, healthcare, and other essential services. Youi also have greater opportunities to participate in social and recreational activities. There are several laws requiring public transportation agencies to provide accessible services to individuals with disabilities.

Civil Rights also protect people using public transit services from discrimination. There are organizations that can help you if you are having issues with public transportation in your area. Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) is one organization that can help you advocate for change in public transportation.

Find out more about using public transit with DRM's Transportation Guide.

Watch a short video to learn more about reasonable employment accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).