Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 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.
