Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act, the VR agency must develop and maintain annually a description (consistent with the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act) of the VR agency’s comprehensive system of personnel development, which shall include a description of the procedures and activities the State VR agency will undertake to ensure it has an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals that provides the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
i. 3. Standards that are consistent with any national or State-approved or -recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements that apply to the profession or discipline in which such personnel are providing VR services; and
A. Standards that are consistent with any national or State-approved or -recognized certification, licensing, registration, or other comparable requirements that apply to the profession or discipline in which such personnel are providing VR services; and
B. The establishment and maintenance of education and experience requirements, in accordance with section 101(a)(7)(B)(ii) of the Rehabilitation Act, to ensure that the personnel have a 21st century understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Current Narrative:
DSB has three job classifications that require established personnel standards that are set forth by the OFM State Classification and Compensation system with collaboration from DSB and the general VR agency the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The standards are negotiated and adhered to by both agencies to have consistency and equity in all hiring practices of these classifications. Those include the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and the Rehabilitation Technician series. The DSB has two classifications that are unique to our service provision and those include, the Vision Rehabilitation Specialists (VRS), and the Assistive Technology Specialists. All the noted positions do have educational requirements. The Vision Rehabilitation Specialist does have certification requirements required by professional standards set forth by the Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professional (ACVREP). DSB does set preference for qualifications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) is to have obtained the Certification for Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and the Assistive Technology Specialists (ATS) that preference is for the Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for Individuals with Visual Impairments (CATIS). DSB has created an In-Training process for each classification. The purpose of the Classification of In-Training is for recruitment options and opening our positions to a diverse population to apply for our skilled positions. The in-training series takes advantage of our classification of VRC1-VRC4; our VRS Entry – Senior series; and our AT Specialists Entry – Expert IT Classification. Below are the required qualifications listed in our classifications:
Rehabilitation Technician 1&2: DSB aims to hire at the Rehabilitation Technician 2 classification. The RT1 level is used to move through an in-training plan. The qualifications for the Rehabilitation Technician 2 (RT2) require a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or bachelor’s degree with 18-quarter credit hours vocational rehabilitation related subjects. Direct customer services experience in a vocational rehabilitation program will substitute year for year, for the bachelor’s degree, but not for the 18-quarter credit of vocational rehabilitation related subjects. The Rehabilitation Technician 1 requires two years of college-level coursework and one year of experience providing direct services to clients in a non-retail environment.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4 (in-training): DSB aims to hire at the most senior level of the classification series of VRC4. The minimum qualification includes a Bachelor’s degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation; and at least 1 year paid or unpaid experience; or a Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, counseling, or a field related to vocational rehabilitation or Current CRCC, and up to 4 years paid experience to reach the VRC4 classification.
Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS entry – Senior series): DSB attempts to hire at the senior level within this classification. Those qualifications include a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation. As well as For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification, and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.
The entry level requirements include A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation. Two years of experience in social services or providing services to individuals who are blind, low vision or deaf blind will substitute for two years of the required education.
For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification, and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.
For Braille instruction Certification in the UEB braille code must be obtained.
Assistive Technology Specialist: A Bachelor’s degree including 9 semester or 15 quarter hours of computer science courses and three years of consultative, administrative or supervisory experience in information technology analysis, system maintenance, or troubleshooting/problem resolution experience OR An Associate’s degree or completion of an accredited vocational training program in information technology or related program and four years of consultative, administrative, or supervisory experience in information technology analysis, system maintenance, or troubleshooting/problem resolution OR One year as an Information Technology System Specialist 2 or equivalent. Consultative, administrative, or supervisory experience in information technology analysis, system maintenance, or troubleshooting/problem resolution will substitute for education based on one year of experience for two years of education. A Master’s degree will substitute for the specified Information Technology Systems Specialist 3 requirement. AND two years paid work experience as an ITS3 with the Department of Services for the Blind. Preferred considered qualification is CATIS Certification.