Section 70. Scope of vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind or vision impaired

The following vocational rehabilitation services shall be available to assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired in preparing for, securing, retaining, or regaining an employment outcome that is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice:

1. An initial assessment for determining eligibility and priority for vocational rehabilitation services conducted by a DBVI vocational rehabilitation counselor, including, if appropriate, an initial assessment in rehabilitation technology;

2. A comprehensive assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs conducted by a DBVI vocational rehabilitation counselor, including, if appropriate, an assessment by other DBVI staff skilled in rehabilitation technology;

3. Vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, including information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice;

4. Referrals and other services necessary to assist applicants and eligible individuals to secure needed services from other agencies, including other components of the statewide workforce investment system and to advise those individuals about the client assistance program established within the disAbility Law Center of Virginia;

5. Physical and mental restoration services, to the extent that financial support is not readily available from a source other than DBVI, such as through health insurance or other comparable services and benefits;

6. Vocational and other training services, including personal and vocational adjustment training, books, tools, and other training materials, except for training or training services in an institution of higher education (i.e., universities, colleges, community colleges, junior colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, or hospital schools of nursing), that may be paid for with funds under this chapter only if maximum efforts have been made by DBVI and the individual to secure grant assistance in whole or in part from other sources to pay for that training and they are not available;

7. Maintenance, as defined in 22VAC45-51-10;

8. Transition services, which are a coordinated set of activities based on the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's preferences and interests, and including instruction, community experiences, development of employment and other post-secondary adult living objectives and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. Transition services must promote or facilitate the achievement of the employment outcome identified in the student's individualized plan for employment (34 CFR 361.5(b)(55));

9. Transportation, as defined in 22VAC45-51-10;

10. Vocational rehabilitation services to family members as defined in 22VAC45-51-10 if necessary to enable the applicant or eligible individual to achieve an employment outcome;

11. Interpreter services, including sign language and oral interpreter services, for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and tactile interpreting services for individuals who are deafblind;

12. Reader services, rehabilitation teaching services, and orientation and mobility services for individuals who are blind;

13. Job-related services, including job search and placement assistance, job retention services, follow-up services, and follow-along services;

14. Supported employment services as defined in 22VAC45-51-10;

15. Personal assistance services as defined in 22VAC45-51-10;

16. Post-employment services as defined in 22VAC45-51-10;

17. Occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial stocks, and supplies;

18. Rehabilitation technology as defined in 22VAC45-51-10 including vehicular modification, telecommunications, sensory, and other technology aids and services;

19. Transition services as defined in 22VAC45-51-10;

20. Technical assistance and other consultation services to conduct market analyses and develop business plans for individuals who are pursuing self-employment or telecommuting or establishing a small business operation as an employment outcome; and

21. Other goods and services determined necessary for the individual who is blind or visually impaired to achieve an employment outcome.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 33, Issue 02, eff. October 19, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 51.5-66 of the Code of Virginia.