Attachment 5.1(b)

Rehabilitation Technology Services

Rehabilitation technology services will be provided for the most severely disabled applicants/customers to enable them to participate in training and/or employment. These services will enhance training and job placement for individuals with the most severe disabilities, which is the primary goal of theVocational Rehabilitation (VR) program.

Rehabilitation technology services will be available and expanded during FY '98 for VR customers in need of such services. Policies and procedures have been developed for the utilization of these services. Rehabilitation technology services will be provided by qualified rehabilitation engineers employed by the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and the Department for the Visually Handicapped's (DVH) rehabilitation technology specialists. Rehabilitation technology services are available on a statewide basis for persons with disabilities.

During FY '93 DVH employed a full-time rehabilitation technology specialist. In FY '96 a second full-time rehabilitation technology specialist was employed to further expand rehabilitation technology services to customers. During FY '97 a part-time rehabilitation resource specialist was employed, and a toll-free line was installed to make rehabilitation technology services more accessible for blind Virginians needing those services to participate in vocational training, to obtain or maintain employment.

Evaluation, training, and job placement services will continue in FY '98 to be made more accessible with the availability of the rehabilitation technology staff. They are also available to train DVH staff and others working in the field of rehabilitation, such as Client Assistant Program (CAP) personnel, etc.

Policies and procedures have been developed to ensure that rehabilitation technology services are utilized by VR counselors and other rehabilitation professionals throughout the rehabilitation process.

The rehabilitation technology specialists meet most of the needs of individuals served by DVH, since their needs relate primarily to accessibility to print. When assistive technology services are needed to address barriers not created by a visual disability, other resources are available as described in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 below.

1. The Cooperative Agreement between DVH and DRS will continue to provide that DVH can purchase the services of the four rehabilitation engineers employed by DRS, and the fee has been established in the cooperative agreement between DVH and DRS. Telephone consultation will continue to be provided by those four rehabilitation engineers at no cost to DVH.
2. DVH's VR counselors can utilize the services of rehabilitation engineers employed at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC). DVH reimburses WWRC for the services provided by the rehabilitation engineers for visually impaired customers who are not participating in a program at WWRC. In most instances, these services address barriers created by secondary disabilities.
3. VR counselors currently utilize the services of JAN (Job Accommodation Network) through voice contact. JAN is also available on a computer bulletin board with a toll-free number. The agency has now designated a state representative for JAN who is available to assist counselors in requesting public relations materials, asking and answering accommodation questions, and receiving information about marketing activities available through JAN.
4. VR staff, during FY '98, will receive training to increase their awareness and expertise in regard to rehabilitation technology. The training will emphasize the utilization of adaptive computer equipment for the blind and visually impaired.
5. The Assistive Technology Grant received by the Commonwealth will improve systems for providing rehabilitation technology services for persons with disabilities during FY '98.
6. During FY '97 the agency's Strategic plan addressed rehabilitation technology. The plan enhanced the college student's ability to access printed materials independently by allowing the purchase of adaptive computer equipment for individual students. The Strategic plan also established a part-time resource specialist position to enhance access to rehabilitation technology services. This position will be continued during FY '98 and will be funded with regular Section 110 funds, if it continues to prove to be beneficial.