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Strategic Plan

For Fiscal Years 1998 - 2000

Mission Statements:

  1. The mission of the Department for the Visually Handicapped (DVH) is to enable blind or visually impaired individuals to achieve their maximum level of vocational, educational, and personal independence.
  2. The mission of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program of DVH is to provide necessary VR services to enable eligible persons with visual disabilities to benefit in terms of achieving employment outcomes.

Statement of Philosophy, Values, and Principles:

Employment for persons with visual disabilities is the number one goal of DVH. It is recognized that individuals and society benefit when persons with disabilities are provided an opportunity to enter, maintain, or regain employment. Empowerment of individuals with visual disabilities, including the ability to make informed choices, is vital to the achievement of vocational and life goals. The identified employment goal must reflect the individuals interests and informed choice to the extent that those factors are consistent with the individuals strengths', resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities. DVH is committed to providing the appropriate services and supports which enable persons with visual disabilities to achieve gainful employment in integrated settings, allowing them self-sufficiency and full participation in the mainstream of life in America.

GOAL I

Identify the Development and Implementation Process for the Three-Year Strategic Plan.

Objective 1

Annually develop and/or amend the Strategic plan, which expands upon and does not supplant services that are already being provided by the VR program.

Strategies

  1. During each spring, the three-year Strategic plan will be developed and/or amended in conjunction with the Title I State plan and its Title VI, Part C, supplement.
  2. The commissioners of DVH and the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) will consult annually with each other to assure that the full 1.5 percent of the total state allotment is utilized to fund Strategic plans and projects.
  3. During the annual development and/or amendment process, input will be provided via:
    1. VR Advisory Council (VRAC)
    2. Statewide Independent Living Council
    3. Public meetings
    4. DVH staff
    5. Results of continuing statewide studies
    6. Annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the VR program
    7. Customer satisfaction surveys
  4. By July 1 of each year, the Strategic plan will be developed and/or amended and forwarded to Rehabilitation Services Administration for review and approval.
  5. The new or amended annual Strategic plan will include reasons why any recommendations made by VRAC were rejected.
  6. At least 1.5 percent of the Section 110 Grant available to DVH will be utilized annually to fund programs and projects identified in the Strategic plan.

Objective 2

Monitor the goals and objectives of the three-year Strategic plan.

Strategies

  1. The VR program director will evaluate on a monthly basis the progress toward the achievement of each goal and objective incorporated in the Strategic plan.
  2. During each quarterly meeting of VRAC, the VR program director will report the progress toward the achievement of each goal and objective of the Strategic plan.
  3. During the quarterly meeting of VRAC, the VR program director will discuss reasons why any goal or objective has not been accomplished.
  4. With quarterly input from staff and VRAC, DVH management staff will identify alternative approaches for the accomplishment of goals and objectives that have not been achieved.
  5. Following the quarterly meeting of VRAC, the minutes will reflect an update of the Strategic plan and will be made available to staff, interested customers, and the general public. The update will reflect progress toward accomplishing the goals and objectives of the Strategic plan.
  6. During FY 98, $99,509 will be budgeted to implement DVH's Strategic plan, and the VR program director will monitor the expenditure of those funds.
  7. During FY 99, $102,992 will be budgeted to implement year two of the Strategic plan, and the expenditure of those funds will be monitored by the VR program director.
  8. During FY 2000, $106,597 will be budgeted to implement year three of the Strategic plan, and the expenditure of those funds will be monitored by the VR program director.

GOAL II

Expand Rehabilitation Technology Services to Persons with Visual Disabilities, Employers, Other Agencies and Organizations

Objective 1

Make personal computers more available for eligible VR customers receiving transitional services.

Strategies

  1. During FY 98 - FY 2000 allow adaptive personal computers to be purchased for high schools students at the end of the junior year when it has been determined that a computer is needed for training and/or employment upon completion of school.
  2. Develop Individualized Written Rehabilitation Programs (IWRP) with high school students who can utilize a computer to pursue a vocational goal and arrange necessary training for those students to enable them to become proficient in using the computer during their senior year.
    1. A total of $50,784 will be utilized during FY 98 to purchase adaptive computers for college students and eligible high school students (whose IWRP has been developed after the junior year and identifies the computer as equipment needed to pursue the VR goal).
    2. A total of $64,392 will continued to be utilized during FY 99 to purchase adaptive computers for college students and eligible high school students.
    3. A total of $67,497 will be utilized during FY 2000 to purchase adaptive computers for college students and eligible high school students.

Objective 3

Enhance the agency's capability to quickly respond to the training needs of persons with visual disabilities and employers regarding rehabilitation technology services.

Strategies

  1. Regional offices will work to establish accessible training centers in the community for computer training.
    1. A total of $5,150 will be utilized during FY 98 to adapt two computers at an adult learning center in the Norfolk region.
    2. A total of $4,500 will be utilized during FY 98 to adapt six computers in the Bristol office to be used to provide training (computers provided by DRS).
  2. Regional offices will arrange for adaptive technology training in the community for service providers to make training more accessible for individuals who are blind. Additional service providers will increase opportunities for customers to make choices.
    1. A total of $900 will be utilized during FY 98 to provide training for staff at the adult learning center in the Norfolk region.
    2. A total of $4,500 will be made available each year beginning with FY 98 through FY 2000 for regional offices to purchase adaptive technology training for service providers.
  3. Wages will be paid for a new statewide technology resource position to provide support and/or resources to individuals who are blind, employers, and service providers needing information regarding adaptive technology.
    1. A total of $15,775 will be utilized to pay wages during FY 98.
    2. A total of $16,200 will be utilized for the wages during FY 99.
    3. A total of $16,700 will be utilized for the wages during FY 2000.

GOAL III

Increase Employment Opportunities for Deafblind Persons.

Objective

Make more services available, specifically for deafblind persons.

Strategy

  1. A transitional week at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind (VRCB) will provide special programming for deafblind persons each year beginning with FY 98 through FY 2000.
    1. A total of $7,500 will be utilized to pay interpreters each year.
    2. A total of $1,600 will be utilized for special presenters.
    3. A total of $3,000 will be utilized for transportation for customers and their families, and meals and lodging for family members.

Support for VRAC:

Objective 1

Provide clerical support for VRAC.

Strategy

A total of $2,000 will be utilized to provide clerical support for VRAC each year beginning with FY 98 through FY 2000.

Objective 2

Provide financial support for VRAC.

Strategy

A total of $3,800 will be budgeted each year beginning with FY 98 through FY 2000 to reimburse VRAC members for expenses incurred in order to attend council meetings.

Note: Expenditures to purchase adaptive computer equipment for students will exceed the Strategic plan budget; the additional expenditures will be charged to Section 110 funds.

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This File Was Last Modified: Monday June 23 2008