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
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
Describe the designated State agency's procedures and activities to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of personnel development designed to ensure an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professional and paraprofessional personnel for the designated State unit, including the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 5. Personnel to Address Individual Communication Needs
Describe how the designated State unit has personnel or obtains the services of other individuals who are able to communicate in appropriate modes of communication with or in the native language of applicants or eligible individuals who have limited English speaking ability.
Current Narrative:
RSB utilizes staff with expertise in other languages and other modes of communication to work with clients with special communications needs in their district as needed. RSB has four bilingual staff, including Spanish, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, and Arabic speakers. More frequently, when this expertise is needed, it is secured from family members or purchased from a third party. RSB may utilize a telephone service provided on statewide preferred use contracts. This resource offers a selection of vendors for various service areas, which allows connection to skilled interpreters to facilitate verbal communications between RSB staff and clients.
RSB currently has one staff member who is able to communicate using sign language. RSB provides sign language interpreters for all public meetings, hearings and forums upon request. TDD service is available at all RSB offices, either through on-site equipment or through Relay Missouri, a service of Missouri’s Office of Administration.
RSB has the capability internally and through the Center for Braille and Narration Production at the Missouri State Prison to produce information in accessible media for staff and clients, including braille, large print, audio tape, and electronic formats. All information disseminated by the agency to staff with disabilities, as well as clients, is available in accessible media. In addition, 33.93 % of RSB’s field staff providing direct client services can read at least Grade 1 Braille and 26.79% are proficient in and can teach Grade II Braille.