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:
IDVR is committed to expanding the availability and provision of Assistive Technology. The Division has an ongoing partnership with the Idaho Assistive Technology Project (IATP) housed at the Center on Disabilities and Human Development at the University of Idaho. Through this partnership IATP provides continuing education and technical assistance to IDVR personnel via face to face and distance methods. An IDVR staff member maintains representation on IATP’s Advisory Council.
Current challenges to meet this need include the procurement of devices that students with disabilities have used through IDEA entitlements. The Division has an agreement as of FFY 2015, with the Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) outlining shared responsibilities and implementing a program which:
- Allows IDVR to purchase some AT devices at 50% of original cost from individual school districts, keeping familiar assistive technology in the hands of transitioning students.
- Shares responsibilities with the SDE where IDVR will purchase vocationally relevant AT for students with an IPE. Per WIOA guidance, the SDE retains responsibility for providing AT they have traditionally had the responsibility for.
IDVR anticipates updating this agreement for PY 2020.
Additional AT resources for staff training include the Idaho Training Clearinghouse, which hosts multiple resources and is funded by SDE’s Special Education Division.
IDVR has provided counselors who serve deaf and hard of hearing customers with the AT needed to enhance communication.