Section 10-306-11a - Scope of vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities(a) As appropriate to the vocational rehabilitation needs of each individual and consistent with each individual's informed choice, the following vocational rehabilitation services shall be available:(1) Assessment for determining eligibility and priority for services in accordance with Section 10-306-5a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(2) Assessment for determining vocational rehabilitation needs in accordance with Section 10-306-8a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(3) Vocational counseling and guidance.(4) Referral and other services necessary to help applicants and eligible individuals secure needed services from other agencies and to advise those individuals about the client assistance program.(5) Physical and mental restoration services as defined in Section 10-306-2a(b)(59) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(6) Vocational and other training services, including personal and vocational adjustment training, books, tools, and other training materials, except that no training or training services in an institution of higher education may be paid for with funds under this part unless maximum efforts have been made by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division to secure grant assistance in whole or in part from other sources to pay for that training. Training may be provided at accredited schools, colleges, universities, community rehabilitation programs, by tutor or correspondence, apprenticeship, an organized on-the-job training situation, agency staff and consultants, or some other organized training program that is approved by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division to provide such training. The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division may use existing fee schedules established by other agencies, such as, but not limited to, the Department of Social Services, or the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division Director may request the Executive Director to establish individual rates with providers of services to purchase such training.(7) Maintenance as defined in Section 10-306-2a(b)(52) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(8) Transportation in connection with the rendering of any vocational rehabilitation service in accordance with the definition in Section 10-306-2a(b)(84) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(9) Vocational rehabilitation services to family members of an applicant or eligible individual if necessary to enable the applicant or eligible individual to achieve an employment outcome.(10) Interpreter services for individuals who are deaf and tactile interpreting services for individuals who are deaf-blind.(11) Reader services, rehabilitation teaching services, and orientation and mobility services for individuals who are blind.(12) Recruitment and training services to provide new employment opportunities in the fields of rehabilitation, health, welfare, public safety, law enforcement, and other appropriate public service employment.(13) Job search and placement assistance and job-retention services.(14) Supported employment services as defined in Section 10-306-2a(b)(78) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(15) Personal assistance services as defined in Section 10-306-2a(b)(58) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(16) Post-employment services as defined in Section 10-306-2a(b)(61) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(17) Occupational licenses, tools, equipment, initial stocks and supplies consistent with Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division policy. For persons entering into self-employment ventures, the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division may pay such costs as are reasonable for the client to enter self-employment, with a client participation requirement of ten (10) percent in funds or in-kind services toward the operation of the business. Examples of in-kind services include rent and utility costs for a business that is operated outside of a client's private residence. Prior to the development of an individualized plan for employment or Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program that has a goal of self-employment, a business plan shall be developed by the client and submitted to a Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division committee for review and approval. In situations where the business plans do not receive approval, the client shall be given written instructions for action to be taken to make the plan acceptable and it may be resubmitted for approval. All licenses, tools, equipment, stock and supplies necessary to operate the business must be included in the business plan in order to receive agency funding in these categories. Upon obtaining approval from the committee, the vocational rehabilitation services division shall purchase licenses, tools, equipment, stock and supplies on behalf of the client consistent with the approved business plan and state of connecticut purchasing requirements. Any licenses, tools, equipment, stock and supplies from the agency that are currently held by a client or any licenses, tools, equipment, stock and supplies from the agency received by a client shall be the property of such client. At such time as the client no longer desires the equipment, disposal shall be at the client's discretion. The cost of maintenance or repair of the equipment shall rest with the client. In circumstances where a client requests, the agency shall reimburse the client for the documented cost of the repair and applicable shipping of said equipment to and from the repair location. The agency shall accept returned equipment.(18) Rehabilitation technology as defined in Section 10-306-2a(b)(69), including vehicular modifications, telecommunications, sensory, and other technological aids and devices. The provision of adaptive equipment will be made after consultation with a rehabilitation technologist or other provider skilled in the assessment of such products. Reports from vendors who sell specific adaptive products will not be acceptable for evaluation purposes, but may be reviewed along with other data. Technology provided to clients will be chosen based on informed choice of the most effective, least expensive products available. For clients who are employed, the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division will not use its funds until maximum effort has been made to obtain employer participation in the provision of standard business equipment that is afforded to all employees regardless of disability. The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division will further seek to obtain reasonable accommodations from employers, consistent with applicable state and federal laws, before committing agency funds for necessary adaptive products. In the provision of closed-circuit television sets (CCTV), the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division will provide basic 14" black and white units unless other requirements are certified as necessary by a rehabilitation technologist, low vision specialist or low vision center. Only one CCTV will be purchased for each client. When magnification is required at multiple locations, a portable unit will be provided to the client except that two stationary CCTVs shall be provided when they are less expensive than one portable unit or when a physician certifies that a medical condition prevents a client from transporting a portable CCTV. Any equipment from the agency that is currently held by a client or any equipment from the agency received by a client shall be the property of such client. At such time as the client no longer desires the equipment, disposal shall be at the client's discretion. The cost of maintenance or repair of the equipment shall rest with the client. In circumstances where a client requests, the agency shall reimburse the client for the documented cost of the repair and applicable shipping of said equipment to and from the repair location. The agency shall accept returned equipment.(19) Transition services as defined in Section 10-306-2a(b)(81) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.(20) Other goods and services determined necessary for the individual with a disability to achieve an employment outcome.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-306-11a
Adopted effective November 6, 1998; Amended February 26, 2009