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
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
Describe the designated State agency's procedures and activities to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of personnel development designed to ensure an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professional and paraprofessional personnel for the designated State unit, including the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 5. Personnel to Address Individual Communication Needs
Describe how the designated State unit has personnel or obtains the services of other individuals who are able to communicate in appropriate modes of communication with or in the native language of applicants or eligible individuals who have limited English speaking ability.
Current Narrative:
DARS continues to address the communication needs of consumers by having counselors who specialize in caseloads serving individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing and has other employees who can communicate in sign language. There are nine “dedicated” Regional Vocational Counselors for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing across the Commonwealth, including several Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. In addition, there is a statewide Pre-Employment Transition Counselor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, who also serves as the statewide consultant on Pre-ETS issues. Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center also has sign language interpreters for consumers and employees in need of these services. Sign language and foreign language interpreters and translators are also contracted as needed for employees and consumers in need of these services. Counselors use other resources, including assistive technology, to communicate with consumers with special needs. All VR forms used by the public have been translated into Spanish and are posted on the Internet for public use.
There are also videophones located in each office of the Regional Counselors for the Deaf, State Coordinator for the Deaf, and in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Unit at Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC). This allows staff and consumers to access Video Relay Services and for consumers to call in “point to point” to discuss their services with counselors.
DARS is always reviewing evolving communication technology and continues to work with community partners (Workforce Development Centers, Community Services Boards, the Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired and Local Deaf Service Centers) to pilot software to enhance telecommunications and accommodation needs of staff via text and video services.
DARS continues to develop and implement plans to enhance outreach and services to individuals with disabilities from different ethnic backgrounds, including those with Limited English Proficiency. DARS has a number of regional and statewide resources available to address the unique service needs of this population, particularly as it relates to interpreting and translation services. In addition, DARS has several Spanish-speaking counselors.