Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
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. State's Strategies
o. 2. How a broad range of assistive technology services and devices will be provided to individuals with disabilities at each stage of the rehabilitation process and on a statewide basis
Current Narrative:
The State Assistive Technology Program is managed within the DVR program. The AT Project Director sits on the senior management team of the DVR program to make sure AT services are well integrated into VR services statewide.
DVR provides funds for AT services through a contract with the University of Vermont (UVM). UVM has three AT specialists on staff and they provide consultation and training services for DVR consumers. In addition, DVR has three AT specialists on staff providing direct services for DVR consumers. Two are funded through the Linking Learning to Careers, Work Based Learning Demonstration. They provide AT services for youth participating in that demonstration. In addition, DVR has one full time AT specialist on staff providing services to the general DVR caseload in the South East part of the state.
DVR has established a set aside to fund higher cost AT equipment purchases. The AT staff provide guidance to VR counselors around the selection and purchase of AT equipment.