U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Located in:
  • Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)

    The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:

    __________

    [13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA

    • g. Coordination with Employers

      Describe how the designated State unit will work with employers to identify competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities in order to facilitate the provision of:

g. 1. VR Services; and

Current Narrative:

Through coordinated engagement, ICBVI and its workforce development partners will contribute to a more prosperous Idaho, providing businesses with talented job seekers to fill skill gaps and Idahoans living with blindness or visual impairments with the rehabilitation, training, and employment services needed to thrive in Idaho workplaces and communities. Employers may request an Assistive Technology (AT) assessment in order to hire a person with a visual impairment or who is blind. ICBVI will provide this service at no expense to the employer. This assessment may include website and network software accessibility as well as job site accommodations. ICBVI has an AT Technologist that assists all of the  VR counselors in life skills assessments  job site accommodations. Additionally, in 2019, ICBVI appointed the Statewide AT Technologist to coordinate business engagement activities in the state. ICBVI will work collaborative with the Idaho Department of Labor and the IDVR Business Engagement Team in achieving WIOA business outreach activities.

In early 2020, ICBVI staff  attended an IDVR sponsored strategic planning session with their Business Engagement Team (BET). The outcome of this training was  to  initiate a collaborative approach to business engagement activities for both state VR programs.

In December of 2021, the Commission entered an Intensive Technical Assistance (ITA) agreement with the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE). This project will begin in February 2022 and conclude June 1, 2022. ICBVI counselors, counselor assistants, and Rehabilitation Teachers will all be participating in this training. In addition, 2 CRP’s and representatives from IDVR will also participate.

ICBVI will continue to work with employers to provide general and customized technical assistance and support services to businesses and industries including input from employers in the 2020 Comprehensive State-wide Needs Assessment (CSNA):

  • Through collaboration with employers to increase internship, mentoring, and training opportunities for ICBVI participants;
  • By providing training in blindness and visual impairments to employers;
  • By increasing visibility to employers in Idaho through marketing and outreach to businesses; and
  • Through collaboration with One-Stop partners in the coordination of services to businesses (emphasis on collaboration with IDVR).

ICBVI will also focus on areas of need identified in the 2020 CSNA in respect to recommendations on how to improve business partnerships to engage employers in recruiting and hiring individuals who are blind or low vision:

  • Greater community awareness and education of individuals who are blind or visually impaired, especially in rural communities;
  • Increase visibility and engagement in rural communities;
  •  Provide quality training and job placement services; and
  • Provide outreach and education to communities and employers on ICBVI services.