A T & VR: POLICY AND P CTICES V R USES TO IMPLEMENT AT Sue LeHew, M.S. Brian Mickelson, VRC VR Counselor Statewide AT Coordinator bmickelson@azdes.gov slehew@azdes.gov
Participants will: • learn how VR considers assisting with implementing AT • be able to discern between (perceived) functional abilities and functional limitations • glimpse how comparable benefits may be considered in a VR plan
VR, or Vocational Rehabilitation is a program for people with disabilities who: • Are currently working • Would like to work • Are capable of benefiting from VR services • Want VR services Note: The views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily represent the views of The State of Arizona.
The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a disability as: • a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, • a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, • or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. *The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.
“ Assistive Technology Device ” is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” “ Assistive Technology Service ” means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.
The SETT Framework in VR (Zabala,1995) S tudent/Specific Individual: diagnosis, prognosis, functional limitations, strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and interests E nvironment: social environment, physical environment, technology environment T asks: activities in which the individual is expected or desires to participate T ools: a system of AT tools and devices that enables the individual to successfully perform these tasks
1. Know your Diagnosis and have all your Medical/Psychological Documentation! Review documentation to be sure it • lists all diagnoses
2. Know your Functional Limitations and if possible be sure they are in your Medical/Psychological documentation! Ask physician to list all Functional • Limitations 3. Know your AT – even Low Tech! make/model/uses • See Handout: My-AT •
Disa Disabil ilit ity Function ional l Limi imitation ions Major jor Lif ife Ar Areas Potential ial Ser Servi vices Bli lind ndne ness ss or or -Access to print info -Rehab Instructional -Mobility Services Other Oth er Vis isua ual l -Computer access -Orientation & Impair Imp airmen ments ts -Mobile Device use Mobility - Independent Living Tasks -Communication -AT Services DHH HH: -Audiology -Interpersonal Skills -Language Barriers: -Hearing Aids Commu ommunica nication tion -Mobility i.e. ASL -Cochlear Implants Vis isua ual -Self-Care and -Face to Face -FM System Communication Home-Care DHH HH: -mobile apps/devices -Access to Commu ommunica nication tion -Self Direction Telecommunications Auditor uditory -Work Skills Speec Speech Communication -AAC Devices Computer Access -Fluency Devices Communica Communication tion -Training/Support Cog ognitiv nitive Impair… Reading/Writing, -text reading AT Attending, -memory aid apps (l (learning rning, think thinking, pro rocessing info fo, Planning, -organization apps concentr trati tion) organization… Mob obil ility ity, , -Mobility & IL -DME -Computer access -Vehicle Mod tion, Both oth, , Manipula anipulation, -Mobile Device use -Home Mod other or other orthope thopedic dic -Access to print info -Computer AT
Vocational Behabilitaton 3 Prepare for Boadmap Employment "C Tasks: Q) N Q) > Complete any required training - C: > rn ·- Maintain monthly contact with your VR counselor ::J - > Participate in planned services :Q ~ > ·- STABT >>> ij - C: 4 VR Introduction Job Tasks: and Intake l Search >, C) Tasks: rn -~ > > Attend a VR Introduction Meet with job coach regularly "C - Q) > appointment I Apply for jobs LO Q) > > Bring social security card and 1 CJ> -.;r- E Complete mock interviews > other form of identification O Notify VR counselor immediately Bring any available medical records g- > after you get a job > Sign intake paperwork '< "' Employment 5 Identify 2 Congratulations! Job Goal Tasks: > Tasks: Complete job placement <D > 0 Identify job goal paperwork a. > Complete labor market survey > Maintain contact with your Q) > Informational Interview VR counselor and job coach '< > "' Complete Individualized Plan for for 90 days. Employment {IPE) with VR counselor
Vocational Behabilitaton Boadma - Prepare for Tasks: Employment > Complete any required training > Ma intain monthly contact wi th your VR counselor > Participate in planned services STABT ••• VR Introduction Job and Intake Search Tasks: >, 0) Tasks: m -~ > > Attend a VR Introduction Meet with job coach regularly "O - > Q) appointment I Apply for jobs I!) Q) > > .._,. E Bring social security card and 1 Complete mock interviews > other form of identification Notify VR counselor immediately Bring any available medical records g- > after you get a job > Sign intake paperwork '< (/) Employment s Congratulations! Identify Job Goal Tasks: > Tasks: Complete job placement > Identify job goal paperwork a. > > Complete labor market survey Maintain contact with your Ill > Informational Interview VR counselor and job coach '< (/) > Complete Ind ividualized Plan for for 90 days. Employment {IPE) with VR counselor
The Journey of A Thousand Miles • App ly for jobs Write Your Work Plan • Prepare for interviews • M aintain contact with T asks : VR Counselor • Identify a job goal VR Introduction • Notify VR Counselor • Determine steps needed to Tasks: i mmediate ly as soon as reach job goal • Attend a VR Introduction you get a j ob • Complete work pl an with appointment VR Counselor • Bring a social secur ity card and Participate in 1 other form of identification Planned Services • Bring any available records Tasks : • Contact your VR Counselo r once a mon th • Attend appo i ntments Application, Intake & Eligibility Tasks : • Meet wi th VR Co u nselor • • Sign appl i cat i on ARIZONA~WORK "' Innovative Workforce Solutions
Which is why there are POLICIES, PROCEDURES and BEST PRACTICES to OPTIMIZE SUCCESS!!
The need for Documentation is critical! The counselor is not the only individual involved in the process of determining if VR can pay for something. Because people who have never met a client are making decisions regarding provision of services: Make sure everything is documented!
“Comparable benefits” means services and benefits, including accommodations and auxiliary aids and services, that are- a. Provided or paid for, in whole or in part, by other federal, state, or local agencies, by health insurance, or by employee benefits; b. Available to the client at the time needed to ensure progress towards achievement of the employment outcome; and c. Commensurate to the services that the client would otherwise receive from the VR program.
Employment VR Planning Eligibility AT Related Medical AT Comparable must be Benefits Compatible with Vocational AT
Eligible IPE for VR Implemented services Medical Related AT Vocational Vocational AT Needs GOAL VR Process and SETT (Joy Zabala) are sometimes opposing paradigms: this frequently results in amending IPE Goals and Services…
Usually, Comparable Benefits, such as medical treatment services, need to be utilized before VR can pay for services other than assessments. However, per policy, exceptions like the one below exist. A review of comparable benefits must be conducted prior to purchasing treatment services unless the availability of these benefits would place the client in extreme medical risk and delay the client’s progress toward achieving an employment outcome/jeopardize immediate job placement.
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