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.
- b. Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA).
Section 101(a)(15), (17), and (23) of the Rehabilitation Act require VR agencies to provide an assessment of:
- b. Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA).
b. 1. D. Youth with disabilities, including students with disabilities and their need for pre-employment transition services. Include an assessment of the needs of individuals with disabilities for transition career services and pre-employment transition services, and the extent to which such services are coordinated with transition services provided under IDEA.
Current Narrative:
RSB garners information regarding youth and students with disabilities from a variety of sources. One such source is the Blind Literacy Report. In the 2021-2022 school (PY-21) year 191 Students with Disabilities, ages 14-21, were identified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Of those Rehabilitation Services for the Blind provided transition services to 206 Students with Disabilities, with 166 receiving one or more of the five required pre-employment transition services. Examples include opportunities to participate in Work Based Learning Experiences to get hands on training in a real world environment with compensation of at least minimum wage, instruction in self advocacy, job exploration and workplace readiness training.
RSB Rehabilitation Teachers and Orientation and Mobility Instructors provided in house training and services. The needs addressed include activities of daily living and alternative techniques of blindness such as orientation and mobility for travel purposes. In addition services such as Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment of Impairments, Rehabilitation technology, College/University training, Vocational, on-the job training, basic academic remedial or literary training and specific job readiness training are provided. RSB provides a number of services to Youth with disabilities. Based upon a comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment the other services that are are needed for Youth with a Disability include:
- Advocacy - On behalf of Youth and families to schools and community service providers
- Training and support services – Services include college, occupational, vocational, customized, literacy, job readiness, disability-related skills training, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and work-based learning experiences.
- SE Services – If RSB clients require additional supports, RSB staff work with vendors to provide supported employment services and extended supports where necessary.
- Workplace readiness training:
- Work Based Learning Experiences for hands on training in real world work environments.
- PVA based training.
- Pre-employment and transition training
- Mentorship Programs
- Soft Skills Training
- Smart Social Navigation
- SOAR Training
- Career Services –This includes a comprehensive assessment to help determine career goals, development of an IPE, and assistance with job search and job placement within local communities if desired.
RSB participation in the IEP planning process allows RSB staff to coordinate and compliment the provision of VR services for eligible and potentially eligible students and services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Services are provided in accordance to the interagency MOU with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that outlines services, responsibilities, and financial obligations for each party.
The joint referral process, in accordance with Missouri Law, between RSB and the local educational authorities provides additional opportunity for LEA and RSB staff to ensure that youth and students are informed of services available to them. In accordance with the law parents must be informed of RSB services but may refuse to have their child referred to RSB for services.