C A L I F O R N I A D E P A R T M E N T O F H U M A N R E S O U R C E S

C A L I F O R N I A S TAT E P E R S O N N E L B O A R D

D E P A R T M E N T O F R E H A B I L I T AT I O N

J O I N T P R O J E C T

2 0 1 5

R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S

T O I N C R E A S E T H E E M P L O Y M E N T O F

P E R S O N S W I T H D I S A B I L I T I E S I N

C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E G O V E R N M E N T

i.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... i

Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... iii

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... 1

Highlights ........................................................................................................................................... 1

Results in Brief .................................................................................................................................. 1

Background ........................................................................................................................................ 2

Scope and Methodology .................................................................................................................. 2

Findings and Proposal ....................................................................................................................... 3

Hiring, Promotion and Retention ...................................................................................................... 4

Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 4

Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 4

1. Improve state efforts at outreach and recruitment ........................................................... 4

2. Improve state efforts at testing and hiring ......................................................................... 5

3. Improve the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) ............................... 7

4. Improve state efforts at promotion and retention ............................................................ 8

5. Improve state efforts at compliance .................................................................................. 9

Disability Survey Re-Engineering ..................................................................................................... 10

Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 10

Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 10

1. Design questions to comply with federal and state laws ................................................. 10

2. Design questions to improve employee participation ..................................................... 11

3. Design and promote a statewide survey campaign ......................................................... 11

4. Process and report survey data ........................................................................................ 12

5. Assure functionality of computer based survey reporting ............................................... 13

Reasonable Accommodation .......................................................................................................... 13

Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 14

1. Create a statewide model reasonable accommodation policy ........................................ 14

ii.

2. Change law and controlling administrative policy ............................................................ 15

3. Assure appropriate agency staffing levels for reasonable accommodation .................... 17

4. Track effectiveness of timely and effective provision of RA ............................................ 18

Training ............................................................................................................................................ 18

Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 18

Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 18

1. Training pertaining to hiring, promotion and retention of PWDs .................................... 18

2. Training pertaining to the disability survey and campaign .............................................. 19

3. Training pertaining to provision of RA .............................................................................. 19

Appendices ............................................................................................................................... 21

A: Hiring, Promotion and Retention ............................................................................................... 22

B: Disability Survey Re-Engineering ................................................................................................ 32

C: Reasonable Accommodation ..................................................................................................... 59

D: Information Technology........................................................................................................... 106

Table of Authorities ................................................................................................................. 113

iii.

California Department of Human Resources California State Personnel Board

Department of Rehabilitation Joint Project 2015

The purpose of the Joint Project is to increase the number of persons with disabilities working within state service and enhance the reasonable accommodation process to enable employees with disabilities to receive timely, effective accommodations that support employment success.

Executive Sponsors

Richard Gillihan, Director, California Department of Human Resources Suzanne M. Ambrose, Executive Officer, California State Personnel Board

Joe Xavier, Director, Department of Rehabilitation

Project Manager

Robin Henry, California Department of Human Resources

Legislation and Regulation Coordinator

Jeanne R. Wolfe, State Personnel Board

Joint Project Stakeholders

Project sponsors thank and acknowledge the following partner stakeholders for their participation and support of the Joint Project:

Association of California State Employees with Disabilities

California Civil Rights Officers' Council

California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities

California Institute of Technology

Coalition of State Civil Rights Associations & Organizations

Department of General Services

Department of Rehabilitation

Employment Development Department

Service Employees International Union, Local 1000

Statewide Disability Advisory Council

iv.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This proposal is the result of a 10-month effort to evaluate civil service policies and processes, and put forth recommendations to guide improvements that increase the employment of persons with disabilities in California state service. Project workgroups identified employment barriers and framed solutions by reviewing and evaluating current law, consulting subject matter experts and researching existing policy and hiring practices to formulate these recommendations. The project sponsors greatly appreciate the individuals, state agencies and organizations who through tireless commitment, and some who through countless hours, generously contributed to the development of the final project proposal.

Joint Project Core Team: The project Core Team reviewed each of the recommendations and fully vetted them to provide sponsors with best possible solutions. Core Team vetting of workgroup submissions concluded on September 24, 2015.

Association of California State Employees with Disabilities

Ralph Black, Esq.

Laurie Hoirup

California Civil Rights Officers' Council

Christine Martinez

Michele Villados

California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities

Jonathan Clarkson

California Institute of Technology

Janice Campbell

Coalition of State Civil Rights Associations & Organizations

Neptaly Aguilera

Anita Macaluso

Tyrone Netters

Alf