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:
The VRA has the purpose of providing technology assistance services to eligible applicants/consumers who require such services. For these purposes, the VRA has the following:
- Procedures, Regulations and Manuals for the provision of technological assistance services
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors who refer applicants / consumers to the CAA for: assessment of technological assistance needs, recommendation and prescription of equipment, delivery and training in the use of the equipment, and technical assistance
- Parent Technology Assistance Unit at the San Juan Region Assessment and Adjustment Center
- Technology Assistance Areas in the Arecibo, Ponce, Toa Baja, Caguas and San Germán Assessment and Adjustment Centers
- Technology assistance team that meets the following needs:
- Computer access
- Communication
- Alternate help for cognitive deficit
- Independent life
- Environmental controls
- Visual
- Audio logical Clinic (Regions of Arecibo, Caguas and San Juan) with updated equipment of technological assistance for independent living and facilitating the communication of deaf and partially deaf consumers
- Specialized professionals and certified in technological assistance that provide these services
- Professional development opportunities to keep up to date the knowledge of human resources that provide technological assistance services
In addition, the VRA established a collaborative agreement with the Technological Assistance Program of Puerto Rico (PRATPR) to offer training to the agency's employees on new technologies and equipment. The VRA may refer consumers for technology assistance services that are not available at the agency.