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. 4. Method(s) the VR agency uses to ensure that personnel 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:
RSB utilizes staff with expertise in other languages and other modes of communication to work with clients with special communications needs in their district as needed. RSB has two bilingual staff, including Arabic, American Sign Language. RSB may utilize interpretive services via statewide preferred use contracts. This resource offers a selection of vendors for various service areas, which allows connection to skilled interpreters to facilitate verbal communications between RSB staff and clients.
RSB currently has one staff member who is able to communicate using sign language. In addition RSB provides contracted sign language interpreters for all public meetings, hearings and forums upon request. TDD service is available at all RSB offices, either through on-site equipment or through Relay Missouri, a service of Missouri’s Office of Administration.
RSB has the capability internally and through the Center for Braille and Narration Production at the Missouri State Prison to produce information in accessible media for staff and clients, including braille, large print, audio tape, and electronic formats. All information disseminated by the agency to staff with disabilities, as well as clients, is available in accessible media. In addition, 33.93 % of RSB’s field staff providing direct client services can read at least Grade 1 Braille and 26.79% are proficient in and can teach Grade II Braille.