What is Vocational Rehabilitation?

Vocational Rehabilitation is a set of services designed to assist individuals with

disabilities to become self-sufficient.

Who Qualifies for KVR?In order to qualify for KVR Services, a person

must meet the following six criteria:

1) Have proof of tribal enrollment in a federally recognized tribe (BIA Cards do not count).

2) Reside in the Bering Strait Region at the time of application.

3) Have a documented disability and be willing to release those documents to the KVR Program in order for the KVR Counselor to make an eligibility

determination. 4) The disability must

interfere in some way with the individual’s ability to become self sufficient.

5) The individual must be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services.

6) The individual must be age 16 or older (minors must have parental consent).

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, an individual is considered to have a "disability" if… 1) S/he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or 2) S/he has a record of such an impairment, or3) S/he is regarded as having such an impairment.

What is a disability?

The ADA Definition Breakdown…

The first part of the definition applies to people who have

impairments. These impairments must substantially limit major life

activities such as seeing, hearing, speaking, walking,

breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for

oneself, and working. For example; an individual with epilepsy, paralysis, a substantial

hearing or visual impairment, intellectual disability, or a

specific learning disability is covered, but an individual with a minor, temporary condition, such as a sprain, broken limb, or the

flu, generally would not be covered.

The second part of the definition protects people with a record of their disability. For example; a person who has recovered from

cancer or mental illness.

The third part of the definition protects individuals who are regarded as having a substantially limiting impairment, even

though they may not have such an impairment. For example; this ADA

definition protects a qualified individual with a severe facial disfigurement from being denied employment because an

employer fears the "negative reactions" of customers or co-workers.

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How It Works….

• Once a consumer is found to be eligible we create an Individualized Plan of Employment (IPE) with him/her. These plans always include the following:– How the consumer’s disability

interferes with his/her ability to be self sufficient.

– What the consumer’s employment goal is.

– How the consumer wants to reach that goal.

KVR Services(These examples include, but are not limited to…)

• Small Businesses Start Up – Initial Supplies and

Equipment– Business Licenses– Initial Rental Space

(limited time)– Initial Insurance

(limited time)

• College & Vocational Training

- Application Assistance

- Housing- Books- Travel- Admission Fees- Monthly Stipend

(hygiene supplies, bus fares, food, parking, etc…)

KVR Services Continued…(Include, but are not limited to…)

• Job Support Services– Job Searches– Résumés– Cover Letters– Mock Interviews– Interview Clothing– Work Clothing– Tools for Work– Equipment for Work

• Documents and Certifications for Employment– Background Checks– Birth Certificates– Driver’s /Licenses– Social Security Cards– State ID’s– Chauffer’s Licenses– CPR/First Aid

Certification, etc…

KVR Services Continued… (Include, but are not limited to…)

• Job Placement Services– Moving Expenses (when

a consumer is hired and needs to move for his/her new job)

– First Month’s Rent– Security Deposit – Utility Deposit (when a

consumer is able to pay for the second month of rent and needs to move into a stable living situation to keep his/her job)

• Transportation Services– Transportation to/from

Interviews– Transportation to/from

Work (for a limited time).

– Transportation to/from… • Low Vision

Assessments• Hearing Aid Fittings• Neuropsychological

Evaluations, etc…

KVR Services Continued… (Include, but are not limited to…)

•Assistive Technology (AT)– Prosthetic Limbs– Specialized Computer

Software/Programs (specifically used for post secondary education and/or employment)

– Hearing Aids– Glasses

•AT Continued…– Scan and Read

Software– Mobility Devices– Light Therapy Lamps– Specialized Telephones

(for the hearing impaired)

– Specialized Clothing– Low Vision Devices– Back and Leg Braces

KVR Services Continued… (Include, but are not limited to…)

• Job Accommodations– We contact employers on

behalf of our consumers’ with their permission. In individual cases we discuss a disability, the implications of that disability, and the potential job accommodations needed for a particular consumer.

• Subsistence Supplies– Hunting/Fishing Gear– Gas for boats, snow

machines or 4-wheelers (one time purchase)

– Outdoor Clothing– Berry Combs– Ulu’s– Fishing Nets– Fish Cutting Tables,

etc..

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

Each Plan Includes…– How the consumer’s disability interferes

with his/her ability to be self sufficient.–What the consumer’s employment goal

is.– How the consumer wants to reach that

goal.–What the consumer needs to achieve

that goal.– How and when it is going to be paid for.

Subsistence Plans (Subsistence IPE’s)

1. Subsistence Plans are developed for the purposes of starting or resuming subsistence activities.

2. The KVR Program considers subsistence activities a means by which individuals achieve self sufficiency. It is also considered to be a successful employment outcome by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

3. Every subsistence plan is customized to meet the needs of individual consumers consistent with their own unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns and informed choice.

1. Small Business Plans are developed in an effort to assist KVR consumers interested in self-employment reach their goal.

2. Small business plans also help ensure that consumers are ready to manage and operate successful businesses.

3. The purpose of the business must be to create income in an effort to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Small Business Plans (Self-Employment IPE’s)

Employment Plans (Traditional IPE’s)

1. Employment plans are created for the purposes of assisting consumers to obtain employment.

2. Employment plans can include part time employment, full time employment, seasonal employment, temporary employment and on-call employment.

3. They can also include vocational training or college in order to qualify for the desired career.

Combination Plans (Combo IPE’s)

1. Combinations Plans include two or more different kinds of employment outcomes.

1. Example: Seasonal Employment and Subsistence Activities

2. Example: Small Business and Part Time Employment.

3. Example: Self Employment, Part Time Employment and Subsistence Activities.

2. Combination plans exist because people don’t always achieve self sufficiency through a single form of employment.

Helpful Links• Find out about State VR and how to apply at:

– http://labor.alaska.gov/dvr/– State VR Counselor for the Bering Strait Region

• Emily Matthies, M.S., PVEVocational Rehabilitation Counselor II Division of Vocational Rehabilitation1016 W. 6th Street, Suite 102Anchorage, AK 99501Phone: (907) 269-3583Fax: (907) 269-3636emily.matthies@alaska.gov

• Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA)Alaska’s only comprehensive assistive technology (AT) resource center. ATLA provides demonstrations, information, and device loans to help Alaskans make informed decisions and select the AT that best meets their needs.– www.atlaak.org

• Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired– www.alaskabvi.org

• Resources for youth in transition:– http://labor.alaska.gov/dvr/alaska-youth-transition-handbook-2013.pdf– http://www.disabilityscoop.com/