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:
DVR has three dedicated assistive technology positions within the Statewide Personal Adjustment Training (PAT) Unit to provide assistive technology services to clients. The AT Specialists work with individuals with blindness or low vision within DVR’s center–based program; however, referrals are accepted from clients with other disabilities as well. An additional assistive technology staff position, provides further AT support beyond DVR’s PAT program for both individuals served by DVR and staff with the use of devices and software such as JAWS, iPhone, Dragon Naturally Speaking, testing of documents, and computer set-up.
Within the Blind and Low Vision Services unit, each of the vision rehabilitation therapists work with clients to provide assistive technology training. While these staff do not provide assistive technology on a full-time basis, they assess and provide training in this area as part of the individual’s DVR program. DVR’s BLVS unit regularly incorporates training on assistive technology into their ongoing professional development activities.
In addition to DVR’s internal expertise, DVR has a number of statewide vendors for assistive technology services and equipment. As described elsewhere in the state plan, DVR also maintains an agreement with AT Partners, which provides services statewide under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The agreement defines the working relationship between DVR and AT Partners, including how the partners will work together related to training for DVR staff and clients, the referral steps for an eligible individual to obtain more extensive AT services and the coordination of other related activities.
Despite these efforts, assistive technology was identified as an area of need in DVR’s comprehensive statewide needs assessment. Given the rapid development of new and expanding technologies, DVR staff are aware of a need to continue developing their expertise in this area in order to promote the greatest levels of independence for individuals with disabilities seeking competitive integrated employment. As Colorado continues to implement Employment First principles, it is expected that increased availability of assistive technology will be a critical strategy to assisting eligible individuals to achieve their employment outcomes. DVR will continue to seek and identify opportunities to further develop staff expertise and availability of assistive technology services to program participants.