Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- o. State's Strategies
Describe the required strategies and how the agency will use these strategies to achieve its goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities, and overcome any barriers to accessing the VR and the Supported Employment programs (See sections 101(a)(15)(D) and (18)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act and section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)):
- o. State's Strategies
o. 2. How a broad range of assistive technology services and devices will be provided to individuals with disabilities at each stage of the rehabilitation process and on a statewide basis
Current Narrative:
Assistive technology needs are identified and provided through a number of channels. For clients entering or actively engaged in the VR process, Orientation and Mobility Instructors and/or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist may be asked to perform an initial or on-going assessment of a clients home or workplace to address barriers to employment. This often results in recommendations of needed equipment/technology to address those barriers. Requests for technology are also received directly from active clients throughout the VR process including when starting employment, from Educational partners when college disability programs are unable to provide the needed technology, from Occupational and/or Physical Therapist working with our clients and from eye doctors/eye specialists. Once a request is made and assessed for need and comparable benefits, technology is then delivered and demonstrated by the appropriate discipline and often involve consultation from an Assistive Technology expert.
DBVI and its contracted partners continue to seek access to and training in assistive technology/devices through its collaboration with training and equipment loan programs such as Maine CITE, AllTech and Alpha One, and through equipment demonstrations offered at conferences, seminars and through on-line videos and product dissemination so staff are knowledgeable regarding technology and able to keep up with the ever evolving changes. This allows each team member to provide assistance with technology to DBVI consumers throughout their rehabilitation process, from the VR counselor to the O&M specialist, as well as the contracted Vision Rehabilitation Specialist. This approach is used for all consumers of all ages and across the state.