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
m. 1. A. The order to be followed in selecting eligible individuals to be provided VR services
Current Narrative:
m) Order of Selection. Describe:
(1) Whether the designated State unit will implement and order of selection. If so, describe:
(A) The order to be followed in selecting eligible individuals to be provided VR services.
DORS has been in an Order of Selection for a number of years. Individuals are placed in priority categories at the time of eligibility determination. Depending upon DORS’ resources, the categories are closed for services in ascending order beginning with Category III and proceeding to Categories II and I. Services are provided only to those individuals in an open category. However, DORS shall continue to plan for and provide services to any individual determined eligible and an Individual Plan for Employment has been signed prior to the date on which the Order of Selection category to which the individual has been assigned has been closed, irrespective of the severity of the individual’s disability.
DORS staff will be advised via formal issuance when categories are closed or reopened. Consumers shall be taken off the waiting list when resources are available to provide services, based on their application date.
The Order of Selection categories are as follows:
I. Individuals with Most Significant Disabilities.
II. Individuals with Significant Disabilities.
III. Individuals with Non-Severe Disabilities.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIORITY CATEGORIES
An individual with a most significant disability is an eligible individual:
- Who has a severe physical or mental impairment which seriously limits three or more functional capacities such as mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills, in terms of an employment outcome;
- Whose VR can be expected to require multiple VR services: at least two from the main services of guidance and counseling, medical rehabilitation services including technology services, job placement, and vocational training; and
- Who may require extensive services over an extended period of time.
It is emphasized that determination of priority category is based on the disability and its impact on employment. There is clear evidence, demonstration or documentation of the limitations imposed by the disability.
An individual with a significant disability is an eligible individual whose severe physical or mental impairment seriously limits one or two functional capacities and also meets requirements in b and c above.
An individual with a non-severe disability is an eligible individual who does not meet the definition of significant or most significant disability.