Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(a) This chapter contains the rules of the
Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired regarding the vocational rehabilitation services available to
eligible individuals so that such individuals might maximize their employment outcome, independence, and
integration into the workplace and their communities.
(b)
Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services derive from a Federally funded program emanating out of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The services provided under the Act are any goods or services
necessary to render blind and visually impaired individuals employable, including, but not limited to, the
following:
1. Assessment of rehabilitation needs, by qualified personnel,
including diagnostic and related services, following the determination of eligibility for VR
services;
2. Physical and mental restoration services, to the
extent that financial support is not readily available from a source other than the designated State
unit;
3. Vocational and other training services, including
personal and vocational adjustment training, books, tools, and other training materials;
4. Counseling and guidance services, to assist an individual in exercising
informed choice;
5. Maintenance services;
6. Placement services, including job search and placement assistance, job
retention services, follow-up and identification of follow-along services;
7. Post employment services;
8.
Services to clients' families;
9. Transportation services, as
needed, while an individual is receiving other Services in vocational rehabilitation;
10. Referral services, to assist applicants and eligible individuals secure
needed services from other agencies, and to advise those individuals about client assistance
programs;
11. Reader service, rehabilitation teaching services,
eye health, social work and orientation and mobility services;
12. On the job or other related personnel assistance services provided
while an individual is receiving other services described in this section;
13. Occupational licenses, tools, equipment and initial stocks and
supplies;
14. Technical assistance and other consultation
services to conduct market analysis, develop business plans and otherwise provide resources, to the extent
such resources are authorized to be provided through the State workforce investment systems, to eligible
individuals who are pursuing self-employment or telecommuting or establishing a small business operation as
an employment outcome;
15. Assistive technology services and
devices;
16. Transition services;
17. Interpreter services to individuals who are deaf and blind, provided by
qualified personnel;
18. Other goods and services determined
necessary for the individual with a disability to achieve an employment outcome.
(c) The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) shall be the mechanism
that the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired will utilize to ensure that client involvement and
informed choice is present in every case (see N.J.A.C. 10:95-4). A statement indicating that ample choices
were discussed and offered to the client shall be included in every individualized plan for
employment.
