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. 7. Strategies for assisting other components of the statewide workforce development system in assisting individuals with disabilities
Current Narrative:
DBVI participated in the development of a 6-part series with a WIOA overview and partner cross training. There are 13 brief webinar links beginning with “WIOA 101: An introduction to the New Law” and ending with the “Youth Program”. Included in the zoom trainings were common performance measures, career pathways, youth programming, Center for Workforce Research and Information, Apprenticeship and working with Department of Corrections and the Veterans Administration. This cross training provided partners with information about working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
In addition, DBVI meets with WIOA partners to update them on programs/events within DBVI and to discuss strategies for working together to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
W.O.R.K. (Workforce Opportunities Referrals and Knowledge) Services is Maine’s new online portal created to provide participants with access to statewide and local employment, education, and disability related resources. Participants of W.O.R.K Services have the option to share basic information with the Bureau of Employment Services, Adult Education, and the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. DBVI consumers have access to this portal.