Located in:
- 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.
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
In accordance with the requirements in Section 101(a)(7) of the Rehabilitation Act, the VR agency must develop and maintain annually a description (consistent with the purposes of the Rehabilitation Act) of the VR agency’s comprehensive system of personnel development, which shall include a description of the procedures and activities the State VR agency will undertake to ensure it has an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professionals and paraprofessionals that provides the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development.
i. 4. Method(s) the VR agency uses to ensure that personnel are able to communicate in appropriate modes of communication with or in the native language of applicants or eligible individuals who have limited English speaking ability.
Current Narrative:
West Virginia does not have large populations of ethnic groups who speak a language other than English. Consequently, WVDRS has not experienced difficulties making its programs accessible and available statewide. In rare instances where non-English language interpreters are needed, WVDRS has obtained those services from interpreters at the local level. An additional resource for non-English language interpreters is through the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) housed at West Virginia University. If needed, there are interpreters registered with the State of West Virginia who also offer interpreting services for languages other than English. In 2023, WVDRS added multiple options for virtual language and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services available anytime on demand.
The agency’s main language accessibility needs concern people who are deaf, and each WVDRS district is staffed with a specialist counselor providing full access to programs and services for people who have deafness or hearing impairments. If needed, virtual interpreting services are available anytime on demand.
WVDRS continues to work with the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to train and certify interpreters to strengthen the network of providers for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. Numerous workshops and seminars are conducted to increase the number of interpreters, improve their communication skills, and provide better statewide coverage. These coordinated efforts will continue as needed.
WVDRS also ensures that its employees and consumers with blindness or visual impairments receive information and materials in their preferred mode of communication through various accommodations. Upon request, various WVDRS support units provide such services as assistive communication devices, large print and/or Braille materials, audiotapes, and electronic (computer) copies.