Section 150-101-1 - PURPOSE AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE DIVISION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM (hereinafter referred to as "DBVI" or the "Division")All printed information produced by the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be available, upon request, in accessible formats based on the client's documented visual impairment.
The Maine DBVI Vocational Rehabilitation ("VR") program assists eligible individuals who have a visual impairment (and in addition may include physical and/or mental impairment) prepare for and achieve an employment outcome. "Employment outcome" means entering, retaining or advancing in full-time competitive integrated employment; part-time competitive integrated employment (including customized and supported employment); the practice of a profession; or self-employment. The VR process is based upon an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) which is oriented to the achievement of a suitable vocational goal consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. Services provided to individuals with visual impairment must be necessary to overcome the vocational impediment and must be provided as cost effectively as possible, and shall be of sufficient quality to meet individual needs.
The DBVI VR program is operated in compliance with the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and codified at 29 U.S.C.§ 720et seq. ("Act"); Title 34 CFR 361 issued in the Federal Register August 19, 2016; and Title 26 M.R.S.A. §1418.
1. Eligibility is determined without regard to sex, race, creed, age, color, gender identification or national origin. There are no residency requirements, durational or other, which would exclude from services an otherwise eligible individual who is living in the state.2. Throughout the eligible individual's rehabilitation program, every opportunity will be provided to the individual to make informed choices regarding the rehabilitation process. Documentation of opportunities for making informed choices will be kept in the individual's case record.3. The VR program shall establish and maintain a case record for each applicant for, and recipient of, vocational rehabilitation services, which include data necessary to comply with VR program and federal requirements.4. In the purchase of goods or services for persons with visual impairment, counselors shall comply with applicable regulations of the Maine Department of Labor and the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.A. Case service expenditures require written authorization prior to the initiation of the service or the purchase of any equipment. Oral authorizations are permitted in emergency situations but must be confirmed promptly in writing and forwarded to the provider.B. Goods and services will be provided subject to the statewide availability of funds. Goods and services will be explored by the individual with assistance from the DBVI VRcounselor and the individual will be involved in the choice of who will provide goods and services. DBVI reserves the right to use community rehabilitation providers who meet state or national accreditation standards.5. Maine DBVI shall process new referrals upon receipt in an equitable manner and will attempt to contact the individual within five (5) working days.6. When appropriate, VRcounselors shall provide the referral necessary to support individuals with visual impairment in securing needed services from other agencies and organizations.7. Each applicant or eligible individual, being provided vocational rehabilitation services, shall be informed of the procedure for requesting a review and a re-determination of agency action concerning the furnishing or denial of services, including the names and addresses of individuals with whom appeals may be filed and of the availability of the Client Assistance Program.12- 150 C.M.R. ch. 101, § 1