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  • 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

    • o. State's Strategies

      Describe the required strategies and how the agency will use these strategies to achieve its goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities, and overcome any barriers to accessing the VR and the Supported Employment programs (See sections 101(a)(15)(D) and (18)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act and section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)):

o. 1. The methods to be used to expand and improve services to individuals with disabilities

Current Narrative:

The following strategies will be utilized to address the rehabilitation needs of blind and visually impaired in the state, as identified in the 2020 CSNA:

  • Lack of transportation – Due to the rural nature of Idaho, transportation always emerges as a major barrier for individuals. To address this, ICBVI counselors and rehabilitation teachers will increase outreach activities to rural communities. As well, the Assessment and Training Center staff will continue their project of “mobile workshops” in regions across the state. ICBVI regional staff will continue to serve on public transportation boards and commissions that address transportation issues and projects.
  • Societal attitudes – Outreach and education will include the “mobile workshops” conducted by our Assessment and Training staff. CRP’s, employers, educators, families are all invited to these regional workshops. ICBVI recently appointed the statewide AT Specialist also serve as a statewide business engagement specialist. A strategy of this individual to increase outreach and training to employers. These mobile workshops were discontinued in PY 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but are anticipated to resume in PY 22.
  • Independent Living Skills-To address the continuing need of independent living skills training, ICBVI will ensure that rehabilitation teachers are provided opportunities for blind skills training. The VR program recently increased assessment activities for all eligible individuals to ensure all training needs are identified and provided in the IPE. Direct services by the regional Instructors for the Blind and our Assessment and Training Center were significantly limited during the pandemic. However, these activities resumed in PY20 as CDC and state guidance allowed.

Access to career services and training programs – To address this, ICBVI has been working with all WIOA core programs to continue the development of the One-Stop System. As part of One-Stop strategy, ICBVI will also be emphasizing staff participation in all comprehensive and affiliate centers. Participation will include training of One Stop center staff and developing opportunities for co-locating. Additionally, ss part of our personal development strategies, staff trainings on Career Pathways, Labor Market Index, and Career Index Plus are all geared to ensuring staff have a 21st century understanding of the labor force and training programs.