Attachment 7.6

Outreach Procedures for Identifying Individuals with the Most Severe Disabilities who are Minorities

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, minorities represent 22.5% of the total population as identified by the most recent census data. During FY '96 the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program's demographic data show that 29% of the total number of cases served were minorities.

Several procedures will be used in FY '98 to help make information regarding VR services more available to minorities. These outreach activities should help the VR program identify and serve more individuals with severe visual disabilities who are minorities.

1. Agency brochures will be made available to each regional office in Spanish for distribution.
2. Regional office staff, as a part of their required outreach activity, will be requested to present programs regarding agency services to organizations that are comprised primarily of minorities.
3. Regional office staff will be requested to provide brochures and other information regarding agency services to organizations in the community that provide support services to non-English speaking individuals.
4. Information regarding agency services will be sent to ministers of churches in the community that are primarily attended by African-Americans.
5. Small newspapers that are published for minorities in the community will be used to announce public meetings in FY '98.