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  • Program-Specific Requirements for State Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)

    The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by sections 101(a) and 606 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA.

    • l. Interagency Cooperation with Other Agencies

      In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(11)(C) and (K), describe interagency cooperation with and utilization of the services and facilities of agencies and programs that are not carrying out activities through the statewide workforce development system to develop opportunities for community-based employment in integrated settings, to the greatest extent practicable for the following:

l. 1. State programs (designate lead agency(ies) and implementing entity(ies)) carried out under Section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998;

Current Narrative:

With respect to state programs carried out under Section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, WVDRS has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) of the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED). The purpose of this MOU is to delineate the working relationship between WVDRS and the CED in order to provide effective services to individuals with disabilities and their families, ensuring statewide coverage of assistive technology (AT) needs.

CED provides free services, statewide, to individuals of all ages and abilities.  Device demonstrations are available, in the CED office and in the community, for individuals to receive hands-on guidance from knowledgeable CED staff. Device loans are also available to allow individuals to try out a device before purchasing or to use during a short-term disability (up to 30 days). CED provides technical assistance to government agencies, institutions of higher education, industry, and other entities. This technical assistance includes consultation on AT-related programs and service design.  When appropriate, CED provides information and referrals to ensure individuals are connected with available resources relating to disability needs, AT devices, and funding options.

CED also provides professional development and group training around the state. These trainings are customized to increase knowledge, skills, and competencies in AT devices and service delivery.  Popular training topics include:

  • Creating accessible documents
  • Creating accessible PowerPoint presentations
  • AT and transition
  • Switch access basics
  • iPads as AT
  • AT for recreation
  • AT for aging

CED WVATS activities are overseen by a Consumer Advisory Council, of which a WVDRS representative is a member. Similarly, the CED is represented on the West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council, which works closely with WVDRS to help ensure that all West Virginians with disabilities are provided with an equal opportunity to receive the vocational rehabilitation (VR) service(s) for which they are eligible.

The CED also receives partial funding from WVDRS in exchange for direct services to eligible individuals in need of AT that is unavailable directly from WVDRS. WVDRS has an AT unit, which provides AT solutions to eligible individuals with AT needs statewide. With the additional assistance of the CED, assurances are made that high-quality AT solutions can be provided statewide at any time. Additionally, both parties agree to consult with each other on an as-needed basis for atypical cases.

Individuals and families receiving AT services at the CED who are age 14 or older will also receive information on the eligibility requirements for WVDRS and the VR services they provide. If an eligible individual in the VR system requests AT services from the CED, WVDRS staff will make the proper referral. WVDRS will also refer eligible individuals to the CED in the event that WVDRS is unable to provide, through their AT unit, the necessary AT.