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2 Year Modification

Plan: Washington PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)
Combined Plan C

Section: Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Narrative: o. 8. C.

Published
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:

    __________

    [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. 8. C. Overcome identified barriers relating to equitable access to and participation of individuals with disabilities in the State VR Services Program and the State Supported Employment Services Program.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

Washington DSHS/DVR continues to experience barriers to ensuring equitable access to and participation in VR services, including Supported Employment Services, to those who live in rural and remote areas of the state. DSHS/DVR has physical office locations in all large and most medium-sized communities in the state, and provides scheduled visits to some smaller, more rural communities. However, it is difficult to offer equitable access to those individuals who live in some of Washington’s small, rural communities and more remote areas.

Staff capacity and the small number of eligible individuals in rural and remote areas contribute to the provision of equitable services. Transportation continues to rise to the top of the list as the greatest barrier to access for these individuals. In areas where DSHS/DVR does not have an ongoing presence, community members are often not aware of these services or how to access them. 

DSHS/DVR data also identifies a few groups who are represented in DSHS/DVR services at lower levels than these groups are represented in the general population. These groups include women, people who are African American/Black and American Indian. Certain geographic areas of the state are under-represented in DSHS/DVR services as well compared to the estimates of people with disabilities living these areas.

Individuals experiencing extremely difficult life circumstances face the most barriers to participation in DSHS/DVR services. While DSHS/DVR could be an integral step in regaining stability for these individuals, inaccessibility to basic services, such as housing, food, and medical care often prevents them from fully participating and they drop out of DSHS/DVR services to deal with these more urgent needs. DSHS/DVR has difficulty maintaining contact with individuals who regularly move from place to place, who live in unsafe conditions, and who are not connected to community resources and supports, if those supports are available.

Easy access to certified interpreters is emerging as a barrier in all areas of the state, even in our largest and most populous counties. Washington DSHS/DVR has experienced substantial difficulty recruiting and retaining counselors for the deaf, and the availability of contracted sign language interpreters has become challenging.  Interpreters need to be arranged well in advance of appointments, which creates access issues when a customer has an immediate or unexpected need to consult with DSHS/DVR. These scheduling limitations create inequitable access for individuals who are deaf.

DSHS/DVR has identified the following strategies and activities under Goal One, Priority Four to specifically target equitable access for unserved and underserved populations.

  • Improve access to DSHS/DVR services through the use of technology, mobile service locations, translation and interpreter services, transportation services, or other accommodations. (This strategy will begin in PY 20 and continue through PY 23)
  • Develop a DSHS/DVR outreach plan targeting under-represented populations in local communities who may be unaware of DSHS/DVR services. (This strategy will begin in PY 21 and continue through PY 22)
  • Strengthen information and referral for those who need basic services and support to engage effectively with DSHS/DVR and to facilitate access to workforce development programs. (This strategy will begin in PY 22 and continue through PY 23)

Additionally, DSHS/DVR will undertake targeted outreach and collaborate with educational, human service, and workforce development agencies to improve access and participation by students, economically disadvantaged populations, and individuals with supported employment needs.