Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
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:
DVRS is the lead agency for the State Grant for Assistive Technology program in the state of NJ. In order to improve the provision of assistive technology statewide, DVRS has awarded the Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center of Disability Rights New Jersey a contract to implement the program. Its purpose is to assist individuals in overcoming barriers in the system and making assistive technology more accessible to individuals with disabilities throughout the state. A broad range of assistive technology services and assistive technology devices will be provided to individuals with disabilities at each stage of the rehabilitation process using the following:
- Information and demonstration;
- Community outreach;
- Equipment recycling; and
- Technical consultation.
Assistive technology services and devices will be provided to individuals with disabilities on a statewide basis through a renewed and expanded contract with Disability Rights NJ using the following methods:
- Allowing the DVRS clients to try out equipment before purchase to determine best match for their specific needs;
- Training staff in the latest equipment and technology;
- Partnering with all One-Stop Career Centers to offer technical assistance on current equipment and future purchases to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities;
- Equipping each local DVRS office with a counselor tool kit for assistive listening devices to encourage people who are deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened, and cochlear implanted to utilize necessary aides; and
- Ensuring that the three regional centers for the Deaf house state-of-the-art technology demonstration areas.