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:
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[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 Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended in 2004, funds each state and U.S. territory to provide Assistive Technology services. In California, the program is the Assistive Technology Unit, which is housed within CDOR and funded by a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living and supplemented with state Social Security Reimbursement funds. To implement the required services, CDOR contracts with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers to provide Assistive Technology services statewide to assist individuals with disabilities to live independently and participate in the community. In addition, CDOR funds a network of Assistive Technology Advocates housed at the 28 Independent Living Centers across the state to provide individualized Assistive Technology services at the local level. Through these activities, as detailed below, CDOR assures coordination with Assistive Technology programs.
The CDOR provides Assistive Technology services and devices for VR applicants and consumers based on their need at each stage of the rehabilitation process, from initial interview through case closure and post–employment services to help achieve their employment goal. Assistive Technology services include providing devices, equipment, hardware, and, or, software to promote greater independence. CDOR informs applicants and consumers about their rights and remedies for decisions made regarding Assistive Technology services and devices.
The CDOR’s Mobility Evaluation Program (MEP) provides AT evaluations to CDOR consumers. CDOR VR Counselors initiate the request for this service by contacting MEP and discussing the case. MEP will determine if the requested evaluation based on the consumer’s needs, availability of equipment for trial, expertise with the technology the consumer may need, and distance to the potential evaluation location will be provided to the consumer. Generally, MEP will travel to the consumer’s home, work, or school site, or even meet the consumer at the equipment vendor’s facilities so the consumer may trial a piece of equipment to assess problems in the environments in which they occur. A written report providing recommendations for assistive technology to solve specific performance problems, as well as price and availability information for the recommended items is sent to the VR counselor within a month after the consumer was last seen.
To educate VR Counselors, Service Coordinators, and Business Specialists about Assistive Technology options for applicants and consumers, CDOR offers a Rehabilitation Technology two-day training class at least once per year. This training includes reviewing the different types of assistive devices available to consumers, and where and how to obtain appropriate assessments and recommendations for these devices. A statewide CDOR Assistive Technology Services Coordinator is available to assist CDOR staff with technical assistance and guidance.
Through a statewide contract and Assistive Technology funds for the Independent Living Network, CDOR also provides Assistive Technology services through the California Assistive Technology Program, a statewide program federally funded through the Assistive Technology Act and supplemented with state Social Security Reimbursement funds. The California Assistive Technology Program provides services including:
- Device Loan Program: Short-term loans can be provided up to one month to qualifying individuals and can be renewed.
- Device Reutilization Program: A web-based program for individuals and organizations to list reused assistive technology devices to their communities at low or no cost.
- Assistive Technology and Transportation Loan Guarantee Program: An individual with a disability, family member, or legal guardian of a child with a disability, and an employer (only for the Assistive Technology Loan Program) can apply for a loan to purchase a vehicle, modifications for a vehicle, and Assistive Technology services and devices.
Individuals with disabilities can access CDOR’s public website for information on Assistive Technology program resources and services. In January 2019, State of California agencies and departments transitioned from using the State Price Schedule for Assistive Technology (SPS-AT) to the new California Assistive Technology, Services and Devices (Cal-ATSD) Supplier Directory. The Cal-ATSD is a statewide change (not limited to vocational rehabilitation) that offers a streamlined supplier application, a user-friendly online directory, and expands the use of existing, flexible procurement methods available to all state buyers.