ed 405 688 ec 305 389 title tech points: integrating … · document resume ed 405 688 ec 305 389...

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 405 688 EC 305 389

TITLE TECH POINTS: Integrating Rehabilitation Technologyinto Vocational Rehabilitation Services. TrainingManual.

INSTITUTION South Carolina State Vocational Rehabilitation Dept.,West Columbia. Center for Rehabilitation TechnologyServices.

SPONS AGENCY National Inst. on Disability and RehabilitationResearch (ED/OSERS), Washington, DC.

PUB DATE May 94CONTRACT H133E20002-93NOTE 212p.

PUB TYPE Guides Non-Classroom Use (055)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC09 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS Adults; *Assistive Devices (for Disabled); Case

Studies; Decision Making; *Disabilities; JobPlacement; *Rehabilitation Counseling; StaffDevelopment; *Technology; *VocationalRehabilitation

IDENTIFIERS *Rehabilitation Technology

ABSTRACTThis TECH POINTS training manuat and guide are

intended to assist vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies with stafftraining on the integration of rehabilitation technology servicesinto the VR process. The TECH POINTS approach helps determine whenand how to use rehabilitation technology with individual clients. Thetraining manual covers: how to use the TECH POINTS approach,referral/application, extended evaluation, plan development,services, placement/follow-up, closure points, post-employment, andagency guidelines for rehabilitation technology. Sections provide asummary of main points, explanatory text, a place for notes, boxeswith key points or implementation steps, and references: The TECHPOINTS guide lists specific questions, considerations, andrecommended actions to determine whether technology services areneeded at each of the seven TECH POINTS stages fromreferral/application through post-employment. Other information inthe guide summarizes components of rehabilitation technology;specific rehabilitation technology services, devices, andspecialists; and cost considerations. There is also a list ofrehabilitation technology information resources and databases, aswell as space for listing local rehabilitation technology serviceproviders and a summary of case studies of technology uses to modifythe workplace in various environments. (DB)

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* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be madefrom the original document.

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Lt.

0000

11-1

1-1.1

U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Research and Improvement

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)7,:ihis document has been reproduced as

received from the person or organizationoriginating it.

Minor changes have been made toimprove reproduction quality.

Points of view or opinions stated in thisdocument do not necessarily representofficial OERI position or policy.

IntegratingRehabilitationTechnology

intoVocational.

RehabilitationServices

BEST COPY AVAILABLE

Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services

SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department 2

TECH POINTSIntegrating Rehabilitation ec ogy grt

cational Rehabilitat on Sem c

Training Manual

Developed by the


Anthony J. LangtonProject Director

Judy L. HughesSpecial Consultant

Cynthia C. FlynnCoordinator of Research

Lydia S. GasterCoordinator of Technical Services

Valerie AugustineDesign and Graphics

Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services 3

Version 1.0 (Field Test Editi

The TECH POINTS Training Manual and TECH POINTS Guide are being field tested in selectedVocational Rehabilitation agencies beginning in Spring 1994. Field testing is being conducted as part of aNIDRR grant to determine the effectiveness of the TECH POINTS model as an approach to integrating theconsideration of rehabilitation technology services into the vocational rehabilitation process. Findings of theresearch will be available in Spring 1997.

Permission to utilize the TECH POINTS Training Manual, TECH POINTS Guide or other TECH POINTSmaterials should be obtained from the Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services. Comments on thesematerials or other aspects of CRTS activities are welcome.

Center for Rehabilitation Technology ServicesSouth Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department

1410-C Boston AveWest Columbia, SC 29170(803) 822-5362 Voice/TDD

(803) 822-4301 FAX

Joe S. DusenburyComissioner

South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department

Funding for this project has been provided by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Dept of EducationGrant # H 133E20002-93. Opinions expressed in the TECH POINTS Guide and TECH POINTS Training Manual are those of the authors andshould not be construed to represent opinions or policies of NIDRR or the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.5/94


OUTLINE

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

TECH POINTSIntegrating Rehabilitation Technology into

at ion Rehabilitation ervi

The TECH POINT Concept

History of Rehabilitation Technology Services In VR

Just Exactly What Is Rehabilitation Technology?

Rehabilitation Technology Specialists: Now Tell Me Again Who They Are?

Applications Of Rehabilitation Technology

SECTION 1

REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE VR PROCESS SECTION 2

Exploring Alternatives, What If .

Integrating Rehabilitation Technology

Working With Consumers

Changing Roles And Expectations

TECH POINTS SECTION 3

The TECH POINTS Process

Support And Resources Needed For TECH POINTS

TECH POINTS In Vocational Rehabilitation Services

What Will TECH POINTS Actually Do?

Utilizing Rehabilitation Technology Services

What We Haven't Included


HOW TO USE TECH POINTS SECTION 4

Getting Started

TECH POINTS As A Counseling Tool

TIPS For Considering Technology Interventions

Using the TECH POINTS Guide

TECH POINT I - REFERRAL/APPLICATION SECTION 5

Considering Rehabilitation Technology Options

Anticipating Accommodations For Individuals With Severe Disabilities

Identifying Rehabilitation Technology Needs

Developing A Rehabilitation Technology Needs Profile

Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS)

TECH POINT 2 - EXTENDED EVALUATION

A Closer Look At Rehabilitation Technology Needs

Incorporating Rehabilitation Technology Into Vocational Evaluation Services


TECH POINT 3 - PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Rehabilitation Technology In The Individualized Planning Process

Developing Vocational Goals Utilizing Rehabilitation Technology

Anticipating "Reasonable Accommodation" Needs In Planned Services

Technology Intervention Planning Steps (TIPS)

TECH POINT 4 - SERVICES

Providing Services: Using Rehabilitation Technology Support

Changing Technology Needs: Making Amendments To The Plan


6

SECTION 6

SECTION 7

SECTION 8

TECH POINTS Integrating Rehabilitation Technology Into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

TECH POINT 5 - PLACEMENT/FOLLOW-UP SECTION 9

Using The Rehabilitation Technology Specialist In Job Development

Placement Strategies Using Rehabilitation Technology Resources

Essential Job Functions: Determining What's Important

Reasonable Accommodations: Increasing Placement Success With Rehabilitation Technology

Follow-Up For Technology Interventions


TECH POINT 6 - CLOSURE POINTS SECTION 10

Improving Successful Closures Through Use Of Rehabilitation Technology

Documenting Consideration And/Or Use Of Rehabilitation Technology


TECH POINT 7 - POST-EMPLOYMENT SECTION 11

Maintaining Employment Using Rehabilitation Technology

Anticipating Maintenance And Replacement Needs For Assistive Technology Devices


AGENCY GUIDELINES FOR REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY SECTION 12

Agency Guidelines

Case Service Policies for Rehabilitation Technology Services

Funding Resources

Forms for Technology Service Activities

Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services7

REH 2 ILITATION TECHNOL GY RESOURCESAND TRraINING INFORMATION

Rehabilitation Technology Information Resources and Databases

Technology Resource Catalogs

Periodicals on Rehabilitation Technology Resources and Services

Organizations and Associations

Employment and Independent Living Resources

Local Technology Service Providers

Technology-Related Assistance Protects

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

Training Information

Tech Reference Information

SECTION 13

CASE STULI IES SECTION 14

Case Study of the TECH POINTS Process

Examples of Simple Accommodations

Series of Successful Closures Through the Use of Technology

Other Case Study Information

TECH POINTS GUIDE SECTION 15

TECH POINTS Guide

8

TECH POINTS Integrating Rehabilitation Technology into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Foreword

With a little help from our friends . . .

Response to the idea of identifying "points" where reminders about rehabilitation technology serviceswould be built into the vocational rehabilitation process has been positive. The simplicity of the TECHPOINTS concept may be its greatest attribute. We have attempted to layout a practical way for vocationalrehabilitation staff to incorporate and utilize the resources and services of rehabilitation technology. At thesame time we realized that the "specialists- who actually deliver the rehabilitation technology services; therehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and the other members of technol-ogy teams, needed to understand how the vocational rehabilitation process functions.

The development of TECH POINTS has followed a long, interesting road. As with most concepts, theexact origins can be traced back to many sources. The Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services isappreciative of the creative input of many people who saw the value of integrating technology into the VRprocess.

Leonard Anderson Kerry Mandeville

Poornima Attigupam Dawn Mangum

Cherie Clark Gayle Mason

Ben Dusenbury Charlie McBride

Cynthia Flynn Greg McGrew

Ron Fry Houston McMillian

Lydia Gaster Frank Puckett

Jane Gold Juan-Carlos Rivera

Pete Howell Marcia Scherer

Belinda Hudson Stephen Thomas

Lucerne Iseman Sandy Townsend

Paul Knight Krista Wooley

Charles LaRosa


At the time of publication, regulations for the 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act were just beingreleased for public comment. New regulations could result in changes to the vocational rehabilitationprocess, which in turn may require modification to the TECH POINTS structure. The concept of utilizing keypoints where technology should be considered for individuals served by VR agencies should not change.If it is determined that modifications are needed to remain compatible with the new regulations, an updatedversion of TECH POINTS will be made available.

TECH POINTS is more a training strategy than a planning or monitoring tool. The way that vocationalrehabilitation staff learn to think about technology resources and services will do more to integratetechnology resources and services into VR services than policies and regulations. Rehabilitation technologyresources and services are part of the unique capabilities which should be an integral part of vocationalrehabilitation services.

It is our hope that TECH POINTS will prove to be a useful resource for vocational rehabilitation agencies.Findings from the field testing and feedback from others using TECH POINTS will likely lead to modificationsand improvements in the original concept.

We welcome your comments and suggestions!

Tony Langton

Judy Hughes

Acknowledgements

Special appreciation goes to Cindy Flynn and Valerie Augustine for their extra efforts in helping to put thepieces and parts together!

10


1111Introduction SECTION 1

11


e

In this section

Introduction SECTION 1

The TECH POINTS Concept

History of Rehabilitation Technology Services in VR

Just Exactly What is Rehabilitation Technology?

III V Rehabilitation Technology Specialists: Now Tell Me Again Who They Are?

Applications of Rehabilitation Technology

The TECH POINTS Concept

TECH POINTS is a rehabilitation technology management andtraining strategy for vocational rehabilitation agencies. TECHPOINTS is designed to provide rehabilitation counselors with aneasy-to-follow desk reference to help determine when and how touse rehabilitation technology with individual clients.

Integrating the consideration of rehabilitation technology at keypoints in vocational rehabilitation and similar service areas is ne-cessary if rehabilitation technology services are to be an effectiveresource (Langton, 1991). TECH POINTS can help a counselor con-sider simple, low cost rehabilitation technology interventions forthose clients for whom rehabilitation technology is sometimes over-looked. It should also help VR counselors deal more effectively withpersons with severe disabilities who present complex technology-related needs.


Applications of the TECH POINTS approach can be made invaried settings such as

vocational rehabilitation

education

business/industry

worker compensation

health care

independent living

other rehabilitation services

In vocational rehabilitation agencies TECH POINTS addressesseveral basic concerns:

Is rehabilitation technology use appropriate?

When should it be used?

Who should be involved?

What outcomes should be expected?

Making appropriate decisions about rehabilitation technologyapplications in the rehabilitation process is difficult even for experi-enced counselors. As with all VR services, the use of technology has

to be individually planned and matched with the needs and capabili-

ties of the individual. This requires not only knowledge and experi-ence but also a logical structure to follow. The concept of TECHPOINTS identifies key places in the rehabilitation process wheredecisions should be made and offers suggestions and questions forthe counselor and client to consider.

History of Rehabilitation TechnologyServices in VR

The value of rehabilitation technology in enhancing the capabili-ties of vocational rehabilitation agencies to serve individuals withdisabilities has been recognized for many years. Various types ofadaptive equipment, aids and devices have been a part of rehabili-

tation since its inception in the 1920s. Although not identified asrehabilitation or assistive technology, these resources have beenused to help with job function and independent living capability.

13TECH POINTS Integrating Rehabilitation Technology into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The process of applying technological and scientific knowledge topractical purposes highlights rehabilitation technology's purposes.In the rehabilitation setting, it is the use of devices, techniques orstrategies to remove or reduce barriers to physical, behavioral, orcognitive performance (Galvin & Phillips, 1990).

The first official reference to rehabilitation technology was in the1986 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act when rehabilitationengineering was included in the legislation (Phillips, 1993). Inclusionof rehabilitation engineering into VR regulations, mandated agen-cies to provide rehabilitation engineering services, as appropriate,during the evaluation phase and in the Individualized Written Reha-

bilitation Program.

One of the Institute on Rehabilitation Issues Study Groups in 1986also focused on "Rehabilitation Technologies" and their role in therehabilitation process (Corthell, 1986). Findings from a survey of VRagencies showed that most agencies were already very involvedwith technology-related services.

A policy directive issued by the Rehabilitation Services Administra-tion (RSA) in November 1990 reaffirmed the important role thattechnology-related services should play, emphasizing the needthroughout the rehabilitation process, from referral to post-employ-ment (Carney, 1990). VR agencies were also required to include intheir State Plan how they make these services available. Stressed inthis directive was the importance of using rehabilitation technologyresources when making determinations of eligibility.

The recent 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act furtheremphasizes the importance of rehabilitation technology resourcesand services. Significant changes have been made which includeincreased consumer responsiveness and accountability of VR agen-cies in the provision of services. Also included are new interpreta-tions of the potential of individuals with severe disabilities to benefitin terms of employability and the need for VR agencies to collect"clear and convincing evidence" to support eligibility decisions. Theentire Rehabilitation Act has been made consistent with the prin-ciples and language of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of1990 (Galvin, 1992). This has made it important that rehabilitationcounselors be familiar with essential functions, reasonable accom-modations, consumer empowerment and other concepts of theADA.

14Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services

1 -s

1986 amendments include

"rehabilitation engineering"

within VR regulations

1990 RSA Policy directive reaffirms

role of rehabilitation engineering

technology

1-4

Changes regarding "rehabilitation technology" result-ing from the new 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilita-tion Act:

13 Definition of "rehabilitation technology" from the Technol-ogy-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of

1988 (TECH ACT) replaces definition of "rehabilitation engi-neering."

(3 New reporting requirements about the type of rehabilitationtechnology services provided to individuals.

Et New requirement in the IWRP to include a statement of thespecific rehabilitation technology services to be provided toassist in the implementation of intermediate objectives andlong-term rehabilitation goals.

o Four new State Plan requirements: State agencies mustdescribe how a broad range of rehabilitation technologyservices will

be provided for each stage of the rehabilitation process

be provided on a statewide basis

enable VR counselors, client assistance personnel and

other related service personnel to train on rehabilitationtechnology

identify the manner in which devices and services will

be provided or worksite assessments will be made aspart of the assessment for determining eligibility and/orthe service needs of the individual

(Stafford, 1993)

Despite the growing awareness of the importance of rehabilita-tion technology, there remains a need to ensure rehabilitationtechnology resources and services are used consistently throughout

VR activities. Most rehabilitation counselors are uncertain how they

should integrate rehabilitation technology in their day-to-daycasework activities.

5


Just Exactly What is Rehabilitation Technology?

A little background on the evolution of terminology common to the

application of technology resources and services may be helpful.Early reference to the use of "technology" to assist individuals withdisabilities began with work done in the orthotics/prosthetics areafollowing World War II. This eventually helped lead to the gradualdevelopment of "rehabilitation engineering," which was recognizedas a speciality of the engineering field in 1970 (McNeal, 1994)."Assistive technology" was introduced through the TECH ACT with its

emphasis on assistive devices and services. 'Rehabilitation technol-ogy" has been used as a general reference throughout this timespan.

Rehabilitation engineering, rehabilitation technology and assistive

technology represent aspects of technology service activities, andare now included together to define "rehabilitation technology."TECH POINTS will use these terms interchangeably in the TECHPOINTS materials.

The 1992 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act defines rehabili-tation technology as

"the systematic application of technologies, engineeringmethodologies or scientific principles to meet the needs ofand address the barriers confronted by individuals withdisabilities in areas which include education, rehabilitation,employment, transportation, independent living andrecreation. The term includes rehabilitation engineering,assistive technology devices and assistive technologyservices."

Within this broad definition, we will take a closer look at the three

components of rehabilitation technology:

rehabilitation engineering;

assistive technology devices;

assistive technology services.


1 -6

UniqueDevice

Fabrication

Modificationsto

Commercially AvailableProducts

Commercially Availableoff the

Shelf Products

Estimates as high as 80 percent of

technology interventions utilize

assistive technology devices which

are commercially available with little

or no need for modification

Rehabilitation Engineering

Rehabilitation engineering is the branch of engineering that isconcerned with the application of science and technology to im-prove the quality of life of the physically disabled (McNeal, 1994).This involves applications of rehabilitation technology that dealprimarily with custom applications and accommodations requiringthe specialized expertise of a rehabilitation engineer.

The term "rehabilitation engineering" is identified with much of thework done in introducing technology services into VR agencies.Rehabilitation engineering and rehabilitation technology are termsused in many VR agencies to describe their technology-relatedactivities.

Assistive Technology Devices

The second component of rehabilitation technology is the equip-ment (i.e., aids and devices) that is often used to assist individuals inperforming tasks. These are referred to as assistive technologydevices.

The TECH ACT (Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals withDisabilities Act of 1988) defines AT devices as any item, piece ofequipment or product system, whether acquired

commercially off the shelf, or

modified or customized

that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilitiesof individuals with disabilities."

Assistive aids and devices such as hearing aids, eye glasses, andwheelchairs are some of the more common examples of rehabilita-tion technology "equipment: Since in most VR agencies technology-related devices such as cochlear implants or other devices fall intomedical or surgical categories, thesewill not be classified as assistivetechnology devices. For the most part though, almost all aids ordevices which "assist" an individual in performing tasks would beincluded.

The growing collection of aids and devices range from simple lowtech gadgets to high tech equipment. These devices have onegeneral purpose in common: to "assist" in accomplishing a task orbasic function.


4.14444.1.314.1.4.4.144.1:144.1444.1:1444'..S.A44.4.1444.1.314444.1444..14.14.j.ga.SJ'.1.4.144.1144.114.114.1144.14.14,J1JJ4.1.S.14,4

Low tech applications refer to easy-to-implement mechanical,structural or electrical solutions to problem areas. Examples include

simple daily living aids such as reachers, lever-style door hardware,custom designed hand tools, work station modifications or minorchangesto improvethe ability of a person with a disability tofunctionindependently.

High tech applications refer to applications of complex electricaland electronic devices. Examples include computers, augmentativecommunication devices and environmental control systems.

Selecting between a low or high tech solution to a problem is notalways possible. There are not always "appropriate" alternatives;identifying low cost solutions is a real need. It is often possible toidentify practical, low cost solutions to many problems with theassistance of rehabilitation technology specialists.

While there is no agreed-upon system of categorizing devices, thefollowing is one attempt to cluster them into logical groupings. Theadvantage of developing some type of a more detailed breakdownfacilitates coding and tracking of technology-related expenditures.

IAssistive Technology Devices

Major Categories

CI alternate formats

CI aids for daily living

CI architectural accommodations

CI cognitive/memory aids

CI communication aids

CI computer access

CI controls/switches

CI mobility/ambulation

CI orthotics/prosthetics

CI recreation

CI seating/positioning

CI sensory aids

CI therapeutic/health

maintenance aids

Cl transportation

CI vocational/training aids


18

1-7

AbleData currently has information

on over 19,000 aids and devices that

are commercially available. These

range from very simple mechanical

devices to complex electronic

equipment

i

Technology related services present

the most important part of

rehabilitation technology

0 Assistive Technology Services

The third component of rehabilitation technology addresses tech-nology-related services. Although discussed last, services represent

the most important part of rehabilitation technology.

The TECH ACT defined assistive technology service as

"...any service that directly assists an individual with adisability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistivetechnology device."

This includes:

evaluation of the needs of an individual, including afunctional evaluation of the individual in the individual's

customary environment;

selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting,applying, maintaining, repairing or replacing assistive

technology devices;

coordinating and using other therapies, interven-tions or services with assistive technology devices;

training or technical assistance for individuals withdisabilities;

training or technical assistance for persons involvedin the major life functions of individuals with disabili-

ties.

In TECH POINTS, assistive technology services are referred to as

"Rehabilitation Technology Services." These services are listed on the

following page.

19


TECH POINTS identifies the following rehabilitation technologyservices:

I Rehabilitation Technology ServicesJ-Th

0 technology consultation;

O rehabilitation technology evaluation /assessment;

O assistive device recommendation/prescription;

O assistive technology equipment procurement;

O device fitting/adjustment;

O device custom design;

O device fabrication/adaptation;

O device training for consumers/caregivers;

O device maintenance/repair;

O follow-up;

O equipment loan;

O product demonstration;

O funding assistance; and

O education and training.

These services are normally provided by rehabilitation technology

specialists who have specific training and expertise. Vocationalrehabilitation counselors familiar with these services will be able towork more effectively with rehabilitation engineers and other reha-bilitation technology specialists.


20

V Rehabilitation Technology Specialists:Now Tell Me Again Who They Are?

The previous information described the main components of reha-bilitation technology: rehabilitation engineering; equipment anddevices; and technology-related services.

The next obvious question is where do you find rehabilitationtechnology services? Vocational rehabilitation agencies differ inwhether they use internal VR staff or contract with externalservice providers for the technology services. Whether usinginternal or external resources, -rehabilitation technology spe-cialists" simply refer to

a person who provides rehabilitation technology servicesas one of their primary Job responsibilities. Specialistsinclude, but are not limited to, rehabilitation engineers,assistive technology specialists, speech pathologists, oc-cupational therapists or physicaltherapists.

For our purposes, we'll start by identifying the typical specialists aVR counselor might turn to for technology-related services. It may benecessary to use several specialists, forming a -technology team,- to

adequately address the needs of an individual.

Rehabilitation Technology Specialists1

0 rehabilitation engineer

O assistive technology specialist

O rehabilitation technologist

O fabrication technician

O occupational therapist

O physical therapist

O speech/language pathologist

O rehabilitation technology supplier/DME dealer


V Applications of Rehabilitation Technology

One of the easiest ways to understand rehabilitation technologyis to look at actual applications of technology resources and ser-vices. Technology-related solutions to problems might deal with

CI the individual's functional capabilities, personality,attitude, etc.

CI the environments where the individual functions

home

community


school/training

work

0 tasks or work activities that the individual needs tocomplete

essential job functions

other concerns, such as transportation

Rehabilitation technology can be a versatile problem-solving tool

that rehabilitation counselors can utilize with many of their clients. It

won't solve all problems, but it can provide options for many clientswhich otherwise might not be possible. Integrating the consider-ation of rehabilitation technology into daily case management willenhance the benefit(s) that counselors and clients will be able torealize. TECH POINTS can help counselors make this integrationpossible. Looking at actual technology applications in work, schooland home, community and vocational rehabilitation environmentsshould help counselors see the scope of what can be expected from

rehabilitation technology.


22

References

Carney, N. (1990). Policy statement on rehabilitation engineering(Report no. RSA-PD-91- 03). Washington, DC: RehabilitationServices Administration.

Corthell, D.W. (1986). Rehabilitation Technologies: Thirteenth Insti-tute on Rehabilitation Issues. Menomonie, WI: University ofWisconsin-Stout Research and Training Center.

Galvin, J. (1992, November-December) Brief overview of the reha-bilitation act amendments of 1992. RESNA News pp. 1,5.

Galvin, J. & Phillips, E. (1990). What is Appropriate Technology?(Available from National Rehabilitation Hospital, AssistiveTech-nology Program, 102 Irving St., Washington DC 20010)

Langton, A.J. (1991). Utilizing technology in the vocational rehabilita-tion process. Proceedings of the 14th Annual RESNA Confer-ence. 11, 76-78.

McNeal, D. (1994). Rehabilitation Engineering. Manuscript submit-ted for publication.

Phillips, B., Bennett, J., & Galvin, J. (1993). Assistive Technology:Practical Intervention Strategies. (Available from National Re-habilitation Hospital, Assistive Technology Program, 102 IrvingSt., Washington DC 20010.

Stafford, B. (1993). The impact of the reauthorized rehabilitation act.ralle, 10(2), pp. 5-9.

r

23


1!,1Rehabilitation Technologyand the VR Process

24

SECTION 2


Rehabilitation Technologyand the Process

In this section

E x p l o r i n g Alternatives, What if . . .


Working With Consumers

Changing Roles and Expectations

Exploring Alternatives, What If ...The resources and services of rehabilitation technology present

opportunities and alternatives for individuals with all degrees offunctional limitations. Selecting vocational goals or activities of dailyliving options without considering rehabilitation technology couldseriously limit choices. As a tool, rehabilitation technology can openup avenues and options that may at first seem unrealistic. Knowinga little about what is out there, employing some creative thinkingand taking some risks are necessary prerequisites for this to bepossible. Equally important is investigating new approaches andlistening to consumers as they describe how they think they can bestovercome their limitations.

Rehabilitation technology can be of assistance to a person with adisability only when it is applied appropriately. Most people withdisabilities would prefer to use as few aids and devices as possible.


2-1

SECTION 2

By using rehabilitation technology

resources, rehabilitation staff can

help individuals explore how

technology might enhance their

quality of life, independence and

offer job opportunities

1

2-2

Access to rehabilitation technology

depends on the counselor and client

recognizing that there could be

potential benefit from these services

It is extremely important that the person using the technology isthe lead person in deciding what and when assistive devices andmodifications are needed.

Many persons with disabilities, and even some professionals,impose limitations on career options by not considering wheretechnology could be used to "assist" with some of the essential tasksand activities of a job. Often tasks which at first seem unfeasible canbe made possible by looking at things from a different perspective.Inexpensive interventions such as changing how a switch operatesor using a simple over-the-counter adaptive aid can make all thedifference in the world in determining vocational potential.

Let's consider the example of a college student whodamaged his right hand severely in an auto accident. Theinjuries were so severe that he had eliminated pharmacyas a career option, basing this decision on the fact that hesaw no way he could open medicine bottles. A simple Jaropener placed under a counter allowed him to accom-plish this task. This even included opening childproof tops!


Integrating the "consideration" of rehabilitation technology intoday-to-day case service practice must occur if benefits are to berealized. This must first occur with the rehabilitation counselor, thekey link to technology service delivery in VR agencies. Access torehabilitation technology depends on the counselor and client rec-ognizing that there could be potential benefit from these services.

The importance of this initial contact and the counselor' continu-ing role in coordinating all rehabilitation services makes it essentialthat counselors have a basic awareness of rehabilitation technologyand have direct access to rehabilitation technology resources andservices.

One of the major challenges faced by VR agencies in offeringrehabilitation technology services to clients is the inconsistency fromone counselor to another. Some counselors routinely include tech-nology considerations with most of their clients. Others rarely


consider it and almost never refer clients for rehabilitation technol-ogy services. Most counselors fall somewhere between the twoextremes. Individuals applying for VR services with the same disabil-ity and almost identical functional limitations could find differentopportunities to try out technology-related solutions to problems.The only difference in many cases is the counselor's awareness leveland attitude toward technology resources and services.

A vocational rehabilitation counselor can be overwhelmed whenit comes to discussions about technology. A major part of theproblem is a need for training and increased awareness of whatexists. Emphasis has been placed on integrating technology into VRservices, but little information has been given to counselors to helpapplythis in a waythat is systematic and "user friendly" to the personwith a disability and to the counselor.

Many counselors are reluctant to discuss technology

What if the applicant wants something the agency can'tprovide?

What about budget constraints?

Where do I find out about the products available?

Who do I call for help?

What kind of questions do I ask someone when I don't knowanything about technology?

These are just a few of the things that often run through a counselor'smind when a person who might need technology applies for ser-vices.

Counselors have understandably been shy and reluctant to dis-cuss technology with applicants, fearing that talking about a certaindevice would obligate the agency to provide that device. This reluc-tance can be overcome by:

keeping technology concerns in the context of vocationalgoals;

sharing information about rehabilitation technology needswith clients;

emphasizing to clients that many options may need to beconsidered before final decisions can be made.


2-31

Technology is one of those areas

that can make vocational

rehabilitation counselors feel that

they are expected to be a "jack- of-

all-trades, but a master of none"

2-4

. . . if technology-related options are

not explored then it will never be

known what might have been

possible . . .

The person must be willing and

convinced that a device or a

modification will work for them or it

will not be used

Technology will not always be the appropriate solution to prob-lems. There may actually be times that technology could be useful,but it is either not necessary to achieve the vocational goal or notessential to the health or independence of the client.

Considering possible options is very important. Vocational reha-bilitation focuses on employment goals and helping individualsrealize their potential. Exploring appropriate use of rehabilitationtechnology to create better options should be a regular part of casemanagement practice. Early exploration of technology interventionsshould not be seen as a commitment to purchase specific equip-ment on the part of the VR agency or to require the individual to buyit on their own. VR counselors and consumers are very aware offunding as a real problem to address. There are no easy solutions tothe limited dollars available. However, if technology-related optionsare never explored then it will never be known what might have beenpossible.

V Working With Consumers

Empowerment has become a term frequently used to describewhat occurs with an individual in his or her rehabilitation program.When someone is "empowered," they are actively involved in keydecisions which result in several important outcomes:

O increased client motivation;

O greater likelihood that appropriate technology options willbe considered;

O reduced chances that equipment will be abandoned;

O alternative solutions can be found which otherwise mightnot have been considered.

Providing rehabilitation technology services or assistive deviceswithout extensive involvement of the individual as part of a technol-ogy team makes little sense, yet it occurs. The most knowledgeablesource of information about the functional limitations and problemsis the individual with the disability. Well-intentioned professionalsstill make the mistake of assuming that they "know what's best"when it comes to the selection of assistive technology equipment.The person must be willing and convinced that a device or amodification will work for them or they are less likely to use it. Time,


equipment and money could all be wasted without the "user" beingthe quarterback of the team (Little,1991).

Working together as a team will not always be easy. The VR clientmust learn to be responsible in making decisions regarding technol-ogy needs. It is important that the client be aware of the realities thatvocational rehabilitation and other agencies have. Within their man-dates, VR agencies cannot provide for all of the technology needs foran individual. Identifying rehabilitation technology options, whenthey are appropriate, may require the counselor and client to worktogether to explore various ways to obtain all the assistance whichmay be needed.

V Changing Roles and Expectations

The expectations placed on VR counselors and other rehabilita-tion professionals are growing. To be effective in their duties, VRcounselors have to be "expert" in many areas, such as rehabilitationtechnology. This is difficult because most counselors have had little,if any, actual training in this area. The challenge of serving individu-als with more severe disabilities falls primarily on the VR counselor.

A review of major rehabilitation legislation places emphasis onpersons with severe disabilities being served by vocational rehabili-tation. Both ADA and the 1992 Amendments to the RehabilitationAct make it clear that persons with severe disabilities who want towork must be given the opportunity to do so. The RehabilitationAmendments Title 1 Part A Sec.100 states "...that individuals withdisabilities, including those with the most severe disabilities, havedemonstrated their ability to achieve gainful employment in inte-grated settings if appropriate services and support are provided.

This language speaks to the intent of The Rehabilitation Act andindicates that agencies must increase their efforts to serve personswith severe disabilites. Including technology in these efforts is clearlymandated. Counselors and VR agencies need to be prepared toprovide appropriate technology services for employment purposes.

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is also having an impacton the role of the counselor and VR agencies. Individuals withdisabilities are gaining greater access to community activities, pro-grams and employment opportunities. As with employers who arereviewing policies and procedures regarding "reasonable accom-modations," rehabilitation agencies must also make sure that


2-5

Counselors and VR agencies need to

be prepared to provide appropriate

technology services for employment

purposes

2-6

Every rehabilitation counselor does

not have to become a technology

specialist

access to services are being provided in a manner consistent withthe ADA mandate. "Reasonable accommodations" for communica-tion or mobility limitations, as well as cognitive impairments, areexamples of what VR agencies must address at the initial referral.Rehabilitation technology should be considered at this and all stages

in the rehabilitation process.

What does this mean to the VR counselor?

Should every VR counselor become a specialist in rehabilitationtechnology? No. There are more effective strategies to consider.With TECH POINTS, it is not necessary for the counselor to be anexpert in technology or know all the equipment, devices or accom-modations that could be made. VR counselors are not prepared tobe "technology specialists." The demands already placed on coun-selors in most settings are extensive.

Should every VR counselor have a working knowledge of rehabili-tation technology resources and services? Yes. Counselors need the

array of resources that technology can provide. Expectations toeffectively serve individuals with severe disabilities, often with mul-tiple functional limitations, make it essential. Rehabilitation counse-lors need to

have a basic understanding of rehabilitation technology,

know what questions to ask, and

know who to contact to obtain the needed rehabilitationtechnology services.

The possibility of establishing a specialty role for rehabilitationtechnology is worth considering. An approach which has workedwell in many settings is designating a "technology specialist" role toone of the counselors in an office. This may be an unofficial desig-nation or one that is actually part of job expectations.

30


Some of the duties of a "technology specialist' counselor could

include

serving as a resource to other office staff,

collecting and maintaining information on rehabilitationtechnology,

being a liaison with rehabilitation technology service pro-viders, and

assisting with quality assurance and staff developmenttraining.

Some rehabilitation counselors have a natural interest in technol-ogy-related activities and would be valuable in helping other coun-selors. This arrangement would be most feasible for counselorswith caseloads where technology services are likely to be needed.Caseloads with large numbers of individuals with more physicalinvolvement needs would be best. Other speciality caseloads suchas deaf, blind or trust fund cases would also be possibilities.

110 While there would be advantages to establishing a "technologyspecialist" role for a counselor in field offices or regions, this is notrequired for TECH POINTS.

31


References

Jenkins, W.M., Patterson, J.B., & Szymanski, E.D. Philosophical,historical, and legislative aspects of the rehabilitation counselingprofession. In Parker, R.M. & Szymanski, E.D. Rehabilitation Coun-seling: Basics and Beyond. Pro-ed. Austin, TX pp. 1-34

Langton, Al & Hughes, J.L. (1994). TECH POINTS: Enhancing theuse of rehabilitation technology in vocational rehabilitation agen-cies. Accepted for publication in the Proceedings of the 17thAnnual RESNA Conference, June 1994.

Little, J. (1991). Rethinking rehabilitation: Are you a quarterbackor acoach? Team Rehab, 2(2), 23.

Phillips, B. (May, 1992). Perspectives on Assistive Technology Ser-vices in Vocational Rehabilitation: Clients and Counselors. (Avail-able from National Rehabilitation Hospital Assistive TechnologyProgram, 102 Irving St., Washington DC 20010)

32


C!) TECH POINTS SECTION 3

33


SECTION 8

TECH POINTS

In this section


Support and Resources Needed for TECH POINTS

TECH POINTS in Vocational Rehabilitation Services

What Will TECH POINTS Actually Do?

Utilizing Rehabilitation Technology Services

What We Haven't Included


TECH POINTS offers vocational rehabilitation agencies a practi-cal, easy-to-follow guide on how to integrate rehabilitation technol-ogy into their activities. The goal was to develop a system thatoperates effectively within existing structures. This was made pos-sible by overlaying the concept of TECH POINTS on the existing VRcase management process. With the logical relationships of pro-gram elements already well laid-out, the task of identifying theimportant decision points and service areas was relatively easy(Langton, 1991).


34

3-2

Agency-wide strategic planning to

address how rehabilitation technol-

ogy services should be utilized is

essential for TECH POINTS or any

other approach to be effective.

TECH POINTS is based on the following premises:

TECH POINTS are integral parts of the VR case serviceprocess;

the rehabilitation counselor is the primary professional inidentifying and referring clients who have technology-related needs; and

clients are integrally involved in the identification of needsand the purchase of technology.

Support and Resources Needed forTECH POINTS

In order to appropriately implement the TECH POINTS system,VR agencies must:

issue policies and procedures concerning the provision andfunding of technology services;

provide staff with training in the TECH POINTS process;and

provide access to technology services for clients.

TECH POINTS in Vocational RehabilitationServices

Utilizing a series of points at critical junctures in the rehabilita-tion process, TECH POINTS provides the rehabilitation counselorwith a strategy to aid in determining if some type of technologyshould be considered. The seven "points" coincide with caseservice status tasks and activities that exist in some form in allagencies. The sequence of accepting referrals, conducting com-prehensive assessments, developing individual plans, arrangingfor necessary planned services, placing clients into employmentand conducting post-employment follow-up is basic to any em-ployment-oriented rehabilitation program.

35


The TECH POINTS where consideration of rehabilitation technol-ogy should occur include:

TECH POINT O Referral/Application

Considers need for rehabilitation technology resources and services forall applicants. Decisions on vocational potential should include howtechnology resources/services could improve or enhance performance.

TECH POINT Extended Evaluation

Comprehensive assessment of the client's vocational potential includ-ing consideration of technology resources/services.

TECH POINT O Plan Development

Technology resources and services included in determination of voca-tional goals and objectives and all aspects of the IWRP planning process.

TECH POINT O Services

Use of technology-related resources/services to enhance performancecapabilities and address any accommodation needs in any plannedservice activities.

TECH POINT A Placement/Follow-up

Use of technology-related resources/services to enable a worker witha disability to perform essential job functions at their employment siteor improve the ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment

TECH POINT O Closure

Prior to closing any case, documents what, if any, use was made ofrehabilitation technology resources or services.

TECH POINT O Post-Employment

Reviews need for rehabilitation technology resources and services forclients to maintain employment, identifying those individuals who areat-risk of losing their job due to technology-related problems.


9-3

Since TECH POINTS is based on an

existing process, it offers a system

that should easily integrate

technology services into regular case

service activities

3-4

TECH POINTS can provide a structure

for overall use of technology

resources and services.

Indicates primary access points

where technology services should be

considered

Offers a training strategy for staff

involved in technology services

o Provides, perhaps most importantly,

opportunity for consumers and

staff to see how the "technology"

really fits into the system

o Fosters a "what if .. altitude

about what people might be able

to do with the help of technology

What is a TECH POINT?

A TECH POINT is a place in the rehabilitation process where use oftechnology resources or services should be considered.

TECH POINTS are part of a continuous process which look atpotential rehabilitation technology needs of an applicant and thensystematically follow that individual throughout their rehabilitationprocess.

Some VR agencies may utilize status categories that differ fromthose illustrated earlier. In agencies where Order of Selection proce-dures are in effect, other status categories may be in use. In thosesituations, it may be necessary to incorporate additional categoriesinto the most appropriate TECH POINTS area.

Technology Intervention PreparationSteps (TIPS)

At each TECH POINT questions and consider-ations are presented which assist the counselor indetermining if technology services are actuallyneeded. These Technology Intervention Prepara-tion Steps, called TIPS, will help the counseloridentify the challenges and concerns needed toeffectively consider technology-related options.

Notes:

P

37


Referral/Applicant

general rehabilitationtechnology needs

technology impact onvocational potential

order of selectionconsiderations

accommodations forapplications process

ExtendedEvaluation

accommodations forvocational evaluationprocess

TECH POINTS in theVocational Rehabilitation Process

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accommodations forplanned services

Placement/Follow-up

rehabilitation technologyresources in jobdevelopment

accommodations at theworksite

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I

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ompens

ClosureOutcomes

08

26

28

14 3034

32 MSTEV4,3021/00

SEANCES

Post-Employment

rehabilitation technologyneeds for maintainingemployment

38

aoskfitE

EST COPY ORS BLE

V What Will TECH POINTS Actually Do?

TECH POINTS will help make technology resources and servicesa normal consideration throughout the VR process. This will offerpractical benefits for. . .

vocational rehabilitation staff

o rehabilitation counselorso vocational evaluatorso others

consumers

vocational rehabilitation agencies

rehabilitation technology specialists

Vocational Rehabilitation Staff

It is anticipated that utilization of TECH POINTS will assist reha-bilitation counselors and vocational evaluators by:

reducing the number of individuals they feel have limitedvocational potential;

expanding vocational placement and training options forclients;

increasing possibilities for direct job placements;

providing an easy-to-follow "tickler" management systemfor rehabilitation technology;

spending available funds for rehabilitation technology ap-propriately;

providing a tool for counselors to use wher. they feel over-whelmed in serving persons with severe disabilities; and

enhancing job development capabilities with employers.

39


Consumers

Consumers will realize benefits from TECH POINTS through:

increasing involvement in the vocational rehabilitation pro-cess;

expanding understanding of technology and its impact onvocational decisions;

increasing opportunities to obtain appropriate rehabilita-tion technology services;

reducing likelihood of abandonment of aids and devices;and

improving opportunities for successful employment.

Agency

TECH POINTS will help VR agencies by:

providing a system to help comply with new rehabilitationtechnology requirements;

improving capabilities to serve individuals with severe dis-abilities;

utilizing available resources more effectively;

establishing more consistent state-wide utilization of reha-bilitation technology services;

providing a basis on which to improve tracking and ac-counting for technology-related expenditures;

offering a strategy for training field staff in how to userehabilitation technology resources and services; and

possibly reducing the purchase of inappropriate equip-ment.


Rehabilitation Technology Specialists

TECH POINTS will help rehabilitation technology specialists by:

increasing utilization of rehabilitation technology services;

receiving more appropriate requests for technology ser-vices;

planning and coordinating technology service deliveryac-tivities;

increasing understanding of the vocational rehabilitationprocess.

V Utilizing Rehabilitation Technology Services

TECH POINTS emphasizes the need for a team approach inusing rehabilitation technology in vocational rehabilitation (Rice,1990). The VR counselor is the rehabilitation professional most likelyto become aware of the challenges that a client may face in seekingor maintaining employment or performing important independentliving tasks. The counselor, working with the client, is also likely torecognize concerns the client has about the use of technology. It isimportant for the counselor and client to determine if these chal-lenges and concerns could be addressed through use of technologyresources and services.

Notes:

41


Rehabilitation Technology Team

A technology team approach is essential to the use of rehabilita-tion technology. At minimum, the technology team will consist of thecounselor and client working together to consider possible rehabili-tation technology alternatives. Other members of the team will varydepending on the specific problems or questions being addressedand the stage in the vocational rehabilitation process.

The team of rehabilitation technology specialists could include:

O Rehabilitation Engineer

O Assistive Technology Specialist

O Occupational Therapist

O Physical Therapist

O Rehabilitation Technologist

O Speech Pathologist

O Rehabilitation Technology Supplier

O Fabrication Technician

O Others _J

TECH POINTS encourages the use of these and other rehabilita-tion technology specialists to address technology at appropriatepoints in the vocational rehabilitation process. Through the use ofTECH POINTS, the counselor should be able to determine:

who the technology team members should be;

what services may be needed;

what information is needed from the counselor and clientregarding technology needs; and

how to implement recommendations from the technologyteam.


42

3-9

A team approach is essential to

effective utilization of technology

resources and services

9 -10

Considering All Environments

Injured in an automobile accident on her way home from work, GLhas a spinal cord injury at the C-5 level which resulted in quadriple-gia. While still in the hospital, a physical therapist prescribed apowered wheelchair for GL. Compromises were made in the type ofwheelchair purchased because of limited funding by the insurancecompany.

GL wanted to live independently and return to her job as an officemanager so the hospital staff referred her to VR for services. Due tothe type and severity of her injury, her rehabilitation counselor soughtconsultation for technology services.

The first objective of the rehabilitation technology team was to helpher move back to her mobile home.The wheelchair caused problemsin terms of entry, safety, homemaking duties and accessibility to allrooms.

Getting home and using community services was also a chal-lenge. The team realized that she couldn't drive her vehicle using herpresent wheelchair. A different chair had to be purchased to achievethis goal.

To determine whether she could return to work, GL participated invocational evaluation services at the VR agency. In order to completethe evaluations, several devices were prescribed (e.g., hand splints,etc.).

To determine whether she could return to her job, assessmentswere made at the work site. It was discovered that if accessorieswere attached to her wheelchair it would eliminate challenges at thework site. Several changes were made.

As this case developed it became obvious that a team approachmay have improved the application of technology for this individual.It is also clear from Gl's story that every decision made regarding aperson with a disability has an impact on all environments in whichthe person interacts. A wheelchair chosen to help with mobilitycansolve one challenge while creating concerns in other aspects of theclient's life. If, in ordering the original wheelchair, the therapist hadconsidered Gi's HOME, movement in the COMMUNITY, servicesoffered at VR, potential SCHOOL/TRAINING environments andWORK, her transition back into the world might have been a littleeasier.

43

TECH POINTS integrating Rehabilitation Technology Into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation technology services available from members of thetechnology team could include:

Rehabilitation Technology Services1

O Technology consultation

O Rehabilitation technology evaluation/assessment

O Assistive device recommendation/prescription

O Assistive technology equipment procurement

O Device fitting/adjustment

O Device custom design

O Device fabrication/adaptation

O Device training for consumers/caregivers

O Device maintenance/repair

O Follow-up

O Equipment loan

O Product demonstration

O Funding assistance

O Education and training}

These rehabilitation technology services can be used to addresstechnology needs throughout the rehabilitation process. If the reha-bilitation counselor is not certain what specific technology is neededafter problems or challenges are identified, they can consult with atechnology specialist to determine if technology intervention wouldbe appropriate.

Notes:


3 -12

Applying Rehabilitation Technology Services

The following are examples of how technology interventions canbe applied within the environments discussed .Technology interven-tions can be a effective problem solving tool for rehabilitationcounselors.

Home

Technology can be used to address independent living accom-modations involving a person's residence including:

improving living accommodations such as design/con-struction of a ramp, widening of doors, etc.; and

determining the need for assistive aids to perform activitiesof daily living involving food preparation, eating, hygiene,dressing, etc.

Community

Activities of daily living involving persons with disabilities and theirinteraction with the community are enhanced through the use oftechnology by:

addressing issues such as curb cuts, ramps, public trans-portation, etc.; and

assessing and accommodating individual concerns involvedwith errands such as shopping, laundry, automobile main-tenance, etc.

Vocational Rehabilitation

VTRThe impact of technology in vocational rehabilitation facilities and

Assuring equal access to services is

an important consideration for VR

agencies

activities could involve:

technology consultation which can provide readily avail-able information on technology options;

rehabilitation technology assessment throughout vocationalrehabilitation process as needs are identified;

the rehabilitation technology specialist in assisting employ-ers with determining technology needs in the work settingto enhance employment opportunities; and


Vocational Rehabilitation - continued

modifications to the vocational assessment setting tobroaden assessment options such as general accessibilityto the assessment site, computerized tests, reading/writingaids, etc.

School/Training

Technology can enhance the compatibility of the person with adisability and their school/training site by assessing and accom-modating:

general concerns such as accessibility, alternative formatsfor exams/instructional materials, note taking, etc.;

laboratory or work station modification needs; and

the need for mobility aids, communication devices, adaptedcomputer access, assistive listening devices, etc.

Job/Work Site

The use of technology services to enable a worker with a disabilityto perform essential job functions at their employment site or im-prove the ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment by:

accessing the overall work environment;

considering modifications, adaptations or adjustments toindividual work stations such as rearrangement of produc-tion lines or modification of tools or equipment; and

considering assistive devices which might enable the per-son with a disability to adequately perform job tasks.

Remembering to consider the client's activities in all environmentswill help address as many of the functional needs as possible.

Building on experiences in using rehabilitation technology spe-cialists will help the counselor become aware of other applicationswhere technology use could be beneficial. At each TECH POINT,additional suggestions on technology service applications are pro-vided. Recalling what proved to be effective with previous clientsand discussing cases with other counselors will be helpful.


V What We Haven't Included

You have seen what TECH POINTS is, how it is designed tofunction, and suggestions of how it can be integrated into rehabili-tation services. This presents a partial picture of what is involved withrehabilitation technology applications in VR services. We haveomitted discussion on technology service delivery concerns such as:

where technology specialists can be found; and

exactly what technology specialists do.

This was necessary since service delivery structures differ mark-edly from state-to-state. There are "models" or similar approaches

used. Some are geographically determined (regional vs centralized)or setting-based (facility vs mobile). Others have rehabilitation tech-nology specialists employed by VR and those with whom VR con-tracts (internal vs external). Differences frequently exist within re-gions of a state. Details about technology services providers, wherethey are located, how they are best contacted and what servicesthey offer must be provided by the VR agency within each state.

47


References

Langton, AJ. (1991. Utilizing technology in the vocational rehabilita-tion process. Proceedings of the 14th Annual RESNA Confer-ence, 11, 76-78.

Mandeville, K.A., & Brabham, R. (1987). The state-federal vocationalrehabilitation program. In Parker, R.M., & Szymanski, E.M.(Eds.), Rehabilitation counseling: Basics and beyond Ipp.43-71). Austin, Texas: Pro-ed.

Rice, D. (Ed.. (1990. The Provision of Assistive Technology Services inRehabilitation. Seventeenth Institute on Rehabilitation Issues.Research and Training Center in Vocational Rehabilitation,University of Arkansas.


48

How To UseTECH POINTS

49

SECTION 4


HOW TO USE TECH;

In this section

4-1

Getting Started

TECH POINTS as a Counseling Tool

TIPS for Considering Technology Interventions

Using the TECH POINTS Guide

V Getting Started

The TECH POINTS system has been designed to use the normalVocational Rehabilitation (VR) case processing status system. There-

fore, the times that a counselor will use TECH POINTS are atapplication, during evaluation, acceptance, writing of the IWRP,amendments, employment and closure. This systematic approachwill assist in anticipating the needs of peoplewith disabilities through-out the rehabilitation process.

Knowing how to explain the agency's policies and proceduresregarding rehabilitation technology needs is important. Communi-cation about technology concerns and challenges should begin thefirst day a person applies for VR services. When VR clients complain

about services, it usually involves a breakdown in communicationbetween the counselor and client. Often, delays in service can bejustified. Frequent communication to keep the client involved andinformed is imperative when dealing with technology issues.

Center for Rehab /Nation Technology Services 50

Each TECH POINTS step will provide information to help thecounselor and client make appropriate rehabilitation technologydecisions. The TECH POINTS Guide will serve as a double-check ofinformation needed at different points to ensure that rehabilitationtechnology is given adequate consideration for each client. Everyeffort has been made to keep the process simple and to the point.

V TECH POINTS as a Counseling Tool

Rehabilitation counseling is goal-directed and vocationally-ori-ented from the first contact with a person with a disability. The onlyway some persons will become qualified for employment is by usingtechnology. Counselors who use the TECH POINTS process maywant to share the process with the VR client. This process will helpdecisions made about technology be more efficient and effective.

It is important that clear guidelines for utilization of technologyresources and services exist. Counselors should not be expected toset agency policies for rehabilitation technology as they exploreoptions with clients. Establishing effective counseling relationshipsis challenging enough without adding the uncertainty of a counselornot knowing if technology-related equipment and services wouldlikely be approved.

Through TECH POINTS, VR counselors should be able to maketechnology resources and services a regular consideration as theywork with clients. The interactive process of discussing challengesconfronting clients and exploring if technology interventions areappropriate will help enhance responsiveness to individual clientneeds.

V TIPS for Considering Technology Interventions

As mentioned in Section 3, several logical steps related to consid-ering rehabilitation technology have been developed. These Tech-nology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS) can be used at eachTECH POINT. These steps will help build the counselor's confidencein serving clients who may need rehabilitation technology services.TIPS offers a practical way of thinking about the need for technology.Many counselors will find the system to be very close to the processthat they have already used and found to work successfully in casedevelopment. The system is "user friendly" for counselors who arenot quite sure where to start when a person needs rehabilitation

5'TECH POINTS Integrating Rehabilitation Technology into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

technology services. TIPS should help organize thoughts concerningtechnology so that getting started is easier.

Although the questions and suggestions for TIPS vary for eachTECH POINT, they follow the same basic pattern:

First, general challenges and problems a client may faceand possible technology concerns should be identi-fied;

second, individualize the client's technology challenges andconcerns;

third, if technology intervention seems appropriate, priori-tize how to best proceed; and

fourth, identify specific steps and plan of action to arrangefor the technology services.

The following information outlines in more detail questions thatthe counselor and client should discuss. With individuals who havefew if any challenges about technology-related concerns, then theremaining questions may not be necessary. It is suggested howeverthat counselors quickly review these questions to be sure thattechnology services are included where needed.

TECHNOLOGY(Technology Concerns Identified)

Assists in identifying the general challenges a clientmay face due to his/her disability and the concernswhich he/she may have regarding technology.

0 What challenges does the dis- 0 Does the applicant/client haveabilitycreate in getting through concerns about the use or po-activities in this status? tential need for technology?

0 Would technology potentiallyassist in overcoming thesechallenges?


52

4-3

Consider all environments when

identifying what concerns and

challenges should be addressed:

home

community


school/training

work

General challenges and problems are

identified ...

. . . these challenges and concerns

are individualized . . .

. decides if technologyintervention seems appropriate

INTERVENTION(Individualize Technology Concerns)

Assists in individualizing the client's challenges andconcerns.

O Considering the challengesidentified at this status, whatimpact will technology have ineach environment (home; com-munity; vocational rehabilita-tion; school/training; andwork)?

O What other factors related toeach challenge must be con-sidered? (For example, cost vseffectiveness of vocational out-come, support systems neededto use the technology, etc.)

O What technology is needed tomeet challenges at this status?

O What technology concerns canbe identified?

O Does the technology currentlyused by the client meet thesechallenges?

PREPARATION(Prioritize Technology Concerns)

Assists in prioritizing technology concerns.

O Decide the order in which thetechnology concerns should beaddressed.

GI Are there deadlines?

O Other than the person with adisability and the counselor, are

others needed to help set prior-ities?

O What is the impact of settingthese priorities in terms ofpeople, health, money andagency guidelines?

53


STEPS(Steps for AddressingTechnology Concerns)

Assists in identifying the process or steps to be takenin addressing these concerns and challenges (e.g.,who, what, where, when, etc.).

0 For each concern, identify themost appropriate way to seeksolutions and the most effec-tive steps if more than one pro-cess is indicated.

0 Determine which technologyservices are to be provided andwho should be involved in pro-viding these interventions.

O What is the applicant's/client'sinvolvement in the process?

O What is the plan for completingeach step?

O What is the plan for funding thetechnology?

WitThere is no right or wrong way to use these steps. Using the steps

to consider each technology concern and keeping each environ-ment in mind can reduce frustration. Involving a rehabilitationtechnology specialist at the appropriate time, should save time, andmoney, and improve service delivery. The TIPS process is simple andeasy-to-use.

V Using the TECH POINTS Guide

The Guide has been created to serve as a desk reference allowingcounselors to review rehabilitation-related issues at each TECHPOINT. The Guide explains how the TECH POINTS process func-tions, lists out the TIPS questions for each of the seven TECHPOINTS, and provides additional reference information.

Information in the Guide summarizes the most important ques-tions and considerations from the training manual that should beaddressed. The Guide is intended to be used along with the TECHPOINTS Training Manual by counselors who have had TECHPOINTS training.


4 -S

(13

. . . specific plan of action for

technology services

The Guide should be a convenient resource for the counselor indiscussing technology needs as they relate to the VR process. As the

Guide is used on a daily basis the process will become secondnature, and VR clients and counselors should benefit.

If you are looking for the TECH POINTS Guide try Section 15.

Notes:

55


C11TECH POINT 1Referral/Application

TECH POINT

00

REFERRAL

02APPLICANT

EVALUATION

NO ELIGIBLE YES

(1-1-1.0TECH POINT

MAYBE

06EXTENDED

EVALUATION

( EVALUATION

/CLOSURE

asN

l0IWRP

DEVELOPMENT

/CLOSURE/

30

TECH POINT

NO 28LONGER CLOSURELIKELY

SERVICEINTERRUPTED

Flow chart taken fromRehabilitation Counseling:Basic and Beyond (1987)

. 26/CLOSURE/

AODLSERVICES

EEDED?

TECH POINT

32 POST I /34EMPLOYMENTS. SERVICES

SERVICES1 CLOSURE

SECTION 5

OTECH POINT

ClosureOutcomes

0826

28

30

34

5 6BEST COPY AVAILABLE


In this section

TECH POINT IR fern:II/Application

5-1

SECTION 5


Anticipating Accommodations for Individuals With Severe Disabilities

Identifying Rehabilitation. Technology Needs

V Developing a Rehabilitation Technology Needs Profile

Technology Intervention Preparation Steps


Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors who have experience inworking with persons with severe disabilities realize the importanceof the first meeting with a person. This is the time that readiness forvocational rehabilitation services is often determined. Listening tothe person and deciding how the disability is dealt with on a day-to-day basis is important.

Discussing the ultimate goal of employment is tantamount tomaking eligibility decisions. Work must be a goal of the applicant orthe mandates of the counselor and VR agency cannot be met. If theperson is not interested in employment, but is someone who couldbenefit from technology services, then this is the time to advise theperson of other resources.

5?Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services

Vocational Rehabilitation has been criticized by consumers whowere turned down sometimes even before they had an interview.There are "horror" stories of potential applicants who were told,sometimes without even being seen, Your disability is too severe;you don't have transportation to get to the office so you obviouslycan't work: The rehabilitation act amendments clearly state thatpersons with severe disabilities who state theywant to work must begiven the opportunity to achieve this goal. Even people who are notconsidered to have a severe disability are sometimes turned downbecause technology was not considered.

At this point, counselors need to ensure that rehabilitation tech-nology considerations are included in decisions relating to theapplication process. This may include making sure that "reasonableaccommodations" are made for the interview process. For example,accommodations might be needed where there are communicationbarriers such as ability to give information. Applicants who havehead trauma, stroke, speech or hearing problems might fall into thiscategory. It is probably a good idea, when an appointment isscheduled, to ask if the applicant or referral source has any accom-modations that might be needed for the application process.

Rapid changes in the field of rehabilitation technology have madevocational goals possible that could not have been considered a fewyears ago. Changes brought about by passage of the Americanswith Disabilities Act (ADA) make it important for VR agencies andcounselors to create an environment where the same guidelinesused by employers are used with applicants for VR services. Be-cause VR is charged with assisting a person with a disabilityinobtaining em ployment, efforts must be made to ensure that theindividual is given every consideration for the goal of gainful employ-ment. ADA makes it clear that a person must be considered for aposition, if otherwise qualified, with or without a reasonable ac-commodation."

Anticipating Accommodations for IndividualsWith Severe Disabilities

When an individual with a severe disability is referred to vocationalrehabilitation, it is likely that some "reasonable accommodations"will be necessary to assist the person through the vocational reha-bilitation system. Anticipating where accommodation needs mayoccur can help to avoid frustration and problems.

55


The application and referral process is a time when it is importantfor a counselor and client to think about possible rehabilitationtechnology concerns that will make the goal of "qualified employee"obtainable. Using TECH POINT 1 for consideration of technologywill assist in determining if and when technology consideration isindicated. It is obvious to the counselor that many disabilities auto-matically require the use of technology for "major life activities."Sometimes a need for technology is not apparent at the time ofapplication, but, as the case process begins, it becomes apparentthat technology intervention is needed to help perform "essentialfunctions" of the job.

V Identifying Rehabilitation Technology Needs

As rehabilitation technology needs are discussed and solutionssought, it is important to remember that the same solution and/orequipment that is used with one person will not necessarily workwith another person even though the situation appears similar.Technology needs vary greatly in each situation.

More often than not, the person with the disability has ideas aboutwhat will work. It is essential to remember that the person with thedisability must be considered as a major part of any technologyteam. If a technology specialist tries to make recommendationswithout the person with a disability's involvement, there will mostlikely be problems.

It is not unusual for a counselor or even a person with a disabilityto be reluctant to discuss areas where rehabilitation technologymight be indicated. This is especially true in the early stages ofcounseling with a person.

Cost consideration is one reason that counselors may avoiddiscussing rehabilitation technology with an applicant or client. Thereality of limited case service budgets may cause a counselor toassume that a client's technology needs will be too expensive. AtTECH POINT 1 counselors are encouraged to explore options withan applicant without allowing budget considerations to rule outpossibilities. Counselors should explain to the applicant that explo-ration of technology is not a commitment to purchase equipment orarrange for services.


59

Careful consideration of technology options is a way for thecounselor to justify expenditures that are necessary for a successfulvocational rehabilitation plan. This careful consideration will alsohelp eliminate technology interventions that may not work for anindividual. A rehabilitation technology specialist can be helpful inproviding information to help make appropriate decisions concern-ing cost-benefits for a particular technology intervention. The coun-selor should emphasize that rehabilitation technology decisions aremade on the basis of vocational needs of each client. This shouldinvolve consideration of any concerns that the individual may haveabout using assistive technology, including how technology aids ordevices will be utilized in work or other environments.

V Developing a Rehabilitation TechnologyNeeds Profile

During the first session with a client, a Rehabilitation TechnologyNeeds Profile should be developed. This profile will be helpfulthroughout the case development. This will be especially true whena person is a technology user.

The profile can serve as a worksheet for the Technology Interven-tion Preparation Steps for TECH POINT 1. A suggested Rehabilita-tion Technology Needs Profile to use is included at the end of thissection.

Interaction with the applicant is the most important task at hand.While completing the profile is important, the primary focus shouldbe the interview, not the form. If clarification is needed for concernson the profile, these can be addressed the next time the applicant iscontacted. The profile should be completed by the end of the 60 dayreferral/applicant status (02). The counselor may find it helpful toconsult with a technology specialist to review potential technologyneeds for clients.

60


Technology Intervention Preparation Steps(TIPS)

The following -questions and suggestions were developed toassist a counselor in making sure that the possible need for rehabili-tation technology is discussed in the first contact and any subse-quent contacts with the applicant during the sixty-day period foracceptance decisions.

TIPS For Referral/ApplicationStatus 02


O Are there any reasonable ac-commodations indicated forthe VR application process?

O Does the applicant have con-cerns about performing any"major life activity"?

O Is the applicant presently usingtechnology to perform "majorlife activities"?

0 Is the main reason for VR appli-cation technology-related?

O Is the reason for VR applicationrelated to performing "essen-tial functions" of a job?

O Would technology enhance,create or eliminate the threatof job loss or affect health forthis applicant?

O Would consideration of tech-nology create an opportunityfor this applicant that wouldotherwise not be considered?

O Does the a pplicant understandthe relationship between tech-nology services and employ-ment?

O Does the applicant have a posi-tive and realistic outlook con-cerning technology?

Notes:


5-5

Are there challenges or problems

where technology concerns are

identified?

o YES o NO

5-6

Is use of rehabilitation technology

services appropriate?

o YES ONO

If technology intervention is needed,

what is the priority?


O Separate each concern theapplicant has mentioned.Where and when does the con-cern for each task occur? Athome, outside the home suchas school, or work?

O Will more than one environ-ment be affected when thisconcern is addressed?

0 Other than assistive devices,what assistance does the ap-plicant have in performingtasks?

0 Does the applicant have orknow of financial resourcesthat can be used to addresstechnology concerns?

O Does the applicant appear tohave a workable knowledge ofrehabilitation technology?

O What has the applicant tried inthe past that did or did not workin attempting to solve this con-cern?

O Does the applicant appearcomfortable with consideringthe use of alternate ways ofaccomplishing tasks?

O Are counselor concerns notedregarding the use of technol-ogy that the applicant may notsee?

O Have all facts been obtainedand information reviewed?


0 Is there a primary area of con-cern?

O If there is more than one con-cern, should any be addressedtogether? (For example, seat-ing and positioning in a wheel-chair might effect use of a com-puter switch; devices andequipment prescribed for mo-bility might affect equipmentneeds for adaptive driving, etc.)

0 In what order should the con-cerns be addressed?

0 Are there deadlines that mustbe considered in addressingconcerns?

O What agency guidelines mustbe addressed in consideringthis/these concern(s)? Has ap-plicant been advised of theseguidelines?

O Who is needed in addition tothe counselor and the appli-cant to help solve this/theseconcernIs)?

O What additional informationmight be indicated before ad-dressing this/these concern(s)?

62



O What immediate technologyconcerns will be addressednow?

O What technology specialist(s)is/are needed to assist in as-sessment of technologyconcern (s)?

O Who is responsible for contact-ing the specialist(s)?

O Are time frames set to follow-upon steps that are indicated?

O Has the applicant been advisedof a time to check on progresstoward a solution?

O Has theapplicant been involvedto the fullest extent possible?

O Have alternatives been consid-ered?

O Is financial assistance neededto address any technology con-cerns?

Notes:


63

5-7

Reminder at TECH POINT 1 (02)

Are technology services needed?

Document on:

Application

Rehabilitation Technology Services

Profile

Case Notes

Rehabilitation Technology Needs Profile

Name Case #

Disability (primary) Code

(secondary)

VR Counselor

Review "major life activities" for which the applicant expresses/demonstrates concerns. Estimate level of

independence for activities where concerns are indicated.

Estimate Degree of independence

MOW' Life ActivitiesArea ofConcern

EmploymentConcern Related

Independentw/Assistive

Devices

RequiresAssistance and

Devices

UsesAssistance

OnlyRehab Technology

Assessment indicated

Self Care

Performing ManualTasks

Walking

Seeing

Hearing

Speaking

Learning

Breathing

Working

Transportation

Lifting/Pulling/Pushing

Memory

Are reasonable accommodations likely to be needed for the applicant to function effectively in any of thefollowing environments?

6,10 YES 0 NO Possibly

O YES 0 NO Possibly

0 YES 0 NO Possiblyint

0 YES 0 NO Possibly

0 YES 0 NO Possibly

EST COPY AVAILABLE

Accommodations/Strategies to Consider:

64

For the areas where problems or restrictions are encountered, does the individual utilize any type of technologyaids or devices? 0 YES NO

Check [1] what assistive technology aids/devices that the applicant uses or has used.

Aids for Daily Living

personal careeating/drinking/cookinghygiene/toiletingother

Architectural Accommodations

barrier free environmentliftsother

Cognitive Aids

memory aidsother

Communication Aids

manual boards/aidselectronic deviceswriting aidssignal/alarm systemsother

Computer

adapted computer hardwarespecialized software

Controls

environmental controlsswitches /controls

Mobility aids

wheeled mobilitymanualpoweredother

ambulatory aidscrutches/braceswalkersstanding aids

CI other

Orthotics/Prosthetics

upper extremitylower extremityother

Recreation

adaptive sportsother

Seating

seating systemscushionsother

Sensory aids

hearing aids/devicesvisual aids/devicesother

Therapeutic aids

exercise equipmentrespiratory aidsstrength/endurance aidsother

Transportation

adaptive driving equipmentspecialized vehicles

Vocational

accessible work stationadaptive tools/equipmentother

What is the applicant's attitude toward assistive aids/devices?

Are rehabilitation technology services needed? YES NO If yes,

Rehabilitation Technology Services

specify:

Rehabilitation Technology Specialists

O technology consultation; 0 device training for consumers/caregivers;O rehabilitation technology evaluation/assessment; 0 device maintenance/repair;O assistive device recommendation/prescription; 0 follow-up;O assistive technology equipment procurement; 0 equipment loan;O device fitting/adjustment;O device custom design;O device fabrication/adaptation;

O product demonstration;O funding assistance; andO education and training.

Will vocational evaluation services be utilized?

YES NO

Are accommodations indicated? YES NO

Next step:

TECH POINT 2 (Extended Evaluation)TECH POINT 3 (Plan Development)TECH POINT 6 (Closure - 08)

O rehabilitation engineerO assistive technology specialist

10 rehabilitation technologist

O fabrication technicianO occupational therapistO physical therapistO speech/language pathologistO rehabilitation technology supplier/DME

dealer

Comments:

65

1111TECH POINT 2Extended Evaluation

00REFERRAL

TECH POINT 02APPLICANT

EVALUATION

NO ELIGIBLE YES

MAYBE

06EXTENDED

EVALUATION

TECH POINT

EVALUATION

CLOSURE08

10

S IWRP

DEVELOPMENT

IWRP

WRITTEN w/CLIENT

12

IWRP

COMPLETED

CLOSURE/30

NOT WORK

YET READY'

TECH POINT


24SERVICE

INTERRUPTED


SECTION 8

OTECH POINT

ClosureOutcomes

0826

283034

/CLO2S6UREF

ADDLSERVICES

CEDED?

TECH POINT

32 POST I

EMPLOYMENT7( SERVICES

SERVICES

34 I

CLOSURE'

66 BEST COPY AVAILABLE


TECH POINT 2Extended Evaluation

In this section

6-1

SECTION 6

A Closer Look at Rehabilitation Technology Needs

Incorporating Rehabilitation Technology into Vocational Evaluation Services


A Closer Look at Rehabilitation TechnologyNeeds

TECH POINT 2 is important for the counselor and the client. All ormost preliminary evaluations have been arranged and are com-plete so that acceptability for VR services (status 06) is possible. It isimportant that the client understand the time frames for extendedevaluation. A decision regarding eligibility must be reached within18 months.

Some points to remember in TECH POINT 2:

For clients with severe disabilities, it is likely that the entire 18months for extended evaluation will be needed to ad-equately address needs.

A team approach is important in considering accommoda-tions or other rehabilitation technology.

Keeping the client informed and involved is critical to theprocess if the outcome is to be successful.


TECH POINT 2 is a documentation point as goals for the ExtendedEvaluation Plan will be written with and signed by the client. Theclient and counselor have together recognized possible concernsand needs for technology in the rehabilitation process. This is animportant time to use the resources available so that correct deci-sions are made. Many questions can and will arise.

In using the Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS) forvocational evaluation, the need for a pre-evaluation staffing toaddress technology issues may be identified. TIPS can help thecounselor decide if the technology concerns should be addressedprior to vocational evaluation, during or if it can wait until theevaluation is completed. This process will help the counselor and theclient deal with technology concerns in a systematic way, increaseefficiency, and reduce frustrations that often occur.

Sharing technology use and concerns with everyone associatedwith the technology and evaluation team is important. This will helpimprove the quality of the evaluation and reduce the time needed toreach vocational objectives.

Incorporating TECH POINTS into the extended evaluation pro-cess can provide the counselor and the client with time to makerational decisions based on facts. It will help avoid making poortechnology decisions such as if the solution worked with oneperson, it will work for another with the same disability.- It will alsohelp in dealing with clients with new disabilities who have read orheard about devices that "sound good," but in practical use have nomerit, or devices that will allow him/her to do a task then "recover."For example, a client may believe that a wheelchair that allows him/her to stand will help him/her to eventually stand on his/her own.TECH POINTS allows a counselor to discuss assistive technologywith a client in a reassuring way. Often a counselor will discoverunresolved conflicts suggesting the need for additional counselingand guidance.

68


V Incorporating Rehabilitation Technologyin Vocational Evaluation Services

If TECH POINT 1 identified challenges in performing "major lifeactivities," then it is likely that some type of accommodation will beneeded in the vocational evaluation process. Inclusion of technologyresources will enable vocational evaluators and counselors betterprepare the client to perform at their fullest potential and exploreareas and career options through consideration of technologyresources.

Using assistive technology aids and devices for vocational evalu-ation will assist the vocational evaluator in accurately determining:

Client's strengths;

Extent of limitations;

Physical and mental capabilities; and

Learning and skill acquisition potential.

The same process employers use to accommodate workers withdisabilities should be applied to vocational evaluation activities.Employers are expected to consider a worker with or withoutreasonable accommodations," when making a decision about his/her ability to perform the "essential functions" of the job. This sametest should apply to the vocational evaluation setting.

Possible reasonable accommodations to discuss with the voca-tional evaluator include:

Lengthening or modifing the testing schedule;

Selecting alternative assessment instruments;

Deleting inappropriate tests or work samples;

Modifying administration procedures when necessary;

Having adaptive equipment available for try-out andloan;

Providing additional lighting;

Rearranging the assessment environment to provide aquiet, isolated work area; and

Utilizing an aide for one-on-one assistance.


89

6-3

All assessments, including vocational

evaluations, must consider

individual's ability to perform

essential functions of a job with

or without reasonable

accommodations

difference between essential

functions and physical demands

of a job

The Job Placement - ADA Connection,

(1993)

YR

Identifying a vocational objective that falls within the client'svocational goals and expectations is one of the most important tasksthat the vocational evaluator and counselor share. Technology re-sources and services can allow this to happen more effectively formany persons with disabilities.


The following questions and considerations will help determine ifspecific rehabilitation technology services are needed.

Tips for Extended EvaluationStatus 06


0 Does a person with this type ofdisability generally need ac-commodations to complete avocational evaluation?

0 Is transportation a barrier? Ifso, is there a temporary solu-tion to allow completion ofvocational evaluation?

0 Would providing technology of-fer the opportunity to explorevocational goals that would notbe considered otherwise?


0 What technology concerns, ifany, need to be discussed withthe vocational evaluator? Dothese concerns need to be dis-cussed prior to evaluation?

0 Is equipment presently beingused by the client adequate tocomplete vocational evalua-tion?

0 Is a technology assessmentneeded to help determineequipment needs and modifi-cations prior to vocationalevaluation (e.g., keyboard ac-

cess, communication devices,seating issues, etc.)?

0 Can equipment be borrowedor rented before a purChase ismade?

0 If any technology is recom-mended, what impact will ithave on the home, commu-nity, training or work environ-ments?



0 Would delaying a technologyintervention cause inadequateevaluation or a threat to healthof this client?

El Is there an order for address-ing the technology concernsidentified in this status?

0 Are there deadlines that needto be met?

0 Who else needs to be involvedin setting these priorities?

0 What is the impact of these pri-orities in terms of people,health, money and agencyguidelines?

0 Are VR services dependent onthis need being met and is thisconcern essential for employ-ability?


0 Who will fund the technology?

0 Who will do what in address-ing concern(s)?

0 What is the time frame for ad-dressing concern(s)?

0 Has the client been involved?Does he/she understand his/her responsibilities?

Notes:


6-5

Reminder at TECH POINT 2 (06)


Document on:

Extended Evaluation Plan

Review at 90 Day Intervals

References

Pimentel, R.K., Bell C.G., & Lotito, MJ.(1993) The job placement-ADAconnedion. Chatsworth, CA: Milt Wright & Assoc.

e

72


TECH POINT 3Plan Development

TECH POINT

CO

REFERRAL

02APPLICANT

EVALUATION

NO ELIGIBLE YES

TECH POINT

MAYBE

06EXTENDED

EVALUATION

EVALUATION

8CLOSURE

24SERVICE

INTERRUPTED


TECH POINT

S10

mapDEVELOPMENT

IWRPJWRITTEN w/

CLIENT

12

COMPjLETED

14 16 18

CEO PR T

sr

TECH POINT


SECTION 7

111TECH POINT

ClosureOutcomes

Oa

262830

34

34CLOSURE

7 3BEST COPY AVAILABLE


In this section

TECH POINT 3PI n::C evel:op rnent

7-1

SECTION 7

Rehabilitation Technology in the Individualized Planning Process

Developing Vocational Goals Utilizing Rehabilitation Technology

Anticipating "Reasonable Accommodation" Needs in Planned Services


Rehabilitation Technology in the IndividualizedPlanning Process

TECH POINT 3 implies that the client has been determinedeligible for services. At this point, goals of the Individualized WrittenRehabilitation Plan (IWRP) will be written with the client. Counselorswho use the TECH POINTS process write, with their client, anindividualized plan, in the strictest sense of the term. When writingplans for people with severe disabilities, it is often necessary toinclude one or more reasonable accommodations in order to beemployed and maintain independence. Accommodations will varywith the person and the task(s) the person will be completing.

By the time TECH POINT 3 is reached, many goals involvingassistive technology services will have been defined. TECH POINT3 is a good time to use the services of a technology specialist to makesure the needs of the client have been addressed appropriately.Client involvement should once again be emphasized. The client


should be gaining knowledge of technology services and realizinghow technology services can be beneficial to achieving their voca-tional goal.

Developing Vocational Goals UtilizingRehabilitation Technology

TECH POINTS is a tool for counseling. Using TECH POINTS canenhance writing the rehabilitation plan by making sure consider-ation is given to writing goals that include:

Counseling the client on practicing and developing prob-lem-solving skills when technology assistance is needed;

The client's responsibility in their placement goal;

Increasing client's ability to discuss "reasonable accommo-dations" and -essential functions" in an interview, trainingor employment setting;

Counseling to assist the client's understanding of the costand care of equipment; and

Counseling to enhance client's self-esteem and confidencein using appropriate technology.

Before concluding the IWRP, a careful review of each goal by thecounselor and client will help ensure that all environments havebeen considered.

Anticipating "Reasonable Accommodation"Needs in Planned Services

VR counselors learn quickly that no matter how much planning isdone, people and events are always changing. However, by usingthe TECH POINTS system to serve as a review in preparing anindividual's plan, problems can be anticipated.

It is important to discuss "reasonable accommodations" with allclients. People with many types of disabilities can benefit fromrehabilitation technology use. By discussing how "major life activi-ties" affect employment, many concerns can be eliminated asbarriers.

75



The following questions and suggestions will help to anticipateneed for technology in planned services:

Plan DevelopmentStatus (10) (12)


O What challenges does the dis-ability createinworking towardthe vocational objective?

O Review technology which theclient currently uses to deter-mine if it can be used in achiev-ing the vocational goal.

O Would technology potentiallyassist the client in overcomingthese challenges?

O Does the client have any con-cerns about the use of technol-ogy in working toward the vo-cational goal?


O Have needs changed in trans- 0 Have technology needs beenportation, housing, equipment, appropriately documented toor communication? If so, have justify written goals on thenew technology needs been IWRP?

created in home, community,vocational rehabilitation, 0 Doestheclientunderstand howschool/training, or work envi- the technology goals relate toronments? the vocational goal?

O Is rehabilitation technologynecessary for the achievementof the vocational objective?


76

AIL

7-4

Reminder at TECH POINT 3

(10) (12)


Document on: The IWRP


O In what order will technologyconcerns identified in this sta-tus be addressed?

0 Other than the client and thecounselor, who else should beinvolved in setting priorities?

O How will the time needed toachieve technology goals af-fect the implementation of ser-vices (including accommoda-tion for job applications andinterviews) or achievement ofthe vocational goal?

O How much time will be needed CI Does client need time to adjustto carry out each technology to the technology or accom-goal? modation?

O Will the goal of employment bedelayed if technology concernsare addressed later in theprocess?


O What steps are needed toachieve the technology goals?

O Who should be involved in pro-viding the technology servicesand what form should their in-volvement take?

El Is there a plan for completingeach step?

O Who will fund the purchase ofthe technology?

O Has the client been involved?Does he/she understand his/her responsibilities?

77


1!)TECH POINT 4Services

TECH POINT

00REFERRAL

02APPLICANT

EVALUATION

NO YES

06EXTENDED

EVALUATION

TECH POINT

EVALUATION

/CLOSURE

O8

TECH POINT 12

10/RP

COMPLETED

/CLOSURE/

30

TECH POINT


24SERVICE

INTERRUPTED


SECTION 8

11-1.0TECH POINT

ClosureOutcomes

08

26

28

30

34

26CLOSURE

ADDLSERVICES

EEDED?

32 POSTEMPLOYMENT SERVICES

SERVICES

34CLOSURE

7 8 BEST COPY AVAILABLE


TECH POINT 4Services

In this section

Providing Services: Using Rehabilitation Technology Support

Changing Technology. Needs: Making Amendments to the Plan


Providing Services: Using RehabilitationTechnology Support

Following procedures that were established for TECH POINT 3,areas where a technology specialist is needed should have beenidentified in the IWRP. However, there will betimes when technologyassistance was not anticipated on the IWRP.

Identification of possible problem areas during the processshould cut down on the number of "emergency" needs. Withoutplanning, people who rely on assistive technology will run intoproblems. Planned VR service is an excellent time for the counselorto teach the client how to think through situations and learn toavoid problems. This may, at times, involve consulting with or usinga technology specialist to explain options with a client. The clientshould learn the importance of maintaining equipment so thatproblems can be prevented.

The counseling goal of being able to discuss "reasonable accom-modations" and "essential functions" on the job should continue tobe reinforced. A client can begin practicing this in the training


SECTION 8

8-2

"While it may, in fact, be tempting

to rely on more

technological solutions to

rehabilitation,

rehabilitation counselors

have so much more to

offer individuals with disabilities.

It seems that the

participants in the research were

saying, above all else, that they

needed, and would have

benefitted tremendously

from very early,

individualized rehabilitation

counseling."

(Scherer, 1990)

period. It is important that the client assume as much responsibilityas he/she can.

It is essential to provide counseling and guidance services aboutrehabilitation technology to clients with severe disabilities. By re-ceiving this service, clients tend to be more involved, more satisfiedwith services and more likely to use their technology.

Clients receiving physical restoration services often have an ob-vious need for technology assistance. Purchases such as wheel-chairs, prosthetic devices and hearing aids would automaticallysuggest using assistive technology and a technology specialist.Less obvious areas that would suggest consideration of technologyassistance may be VR services for persons with heart problems,diabetes, brain trauma and back problems. TECH POINTS shouldkeep the counselor and the client from overlooking areas wheretechnology could improve the outcome. For people who have dia-betes, devices such as glucometers can make a tremendous differ-ence in the control of diabetes. Lifting devices and/or carts may beconsiderations for people with lifting, pulling, and pushing limita-tions.

While technology is typically considered and provided for clients Swith severe disabilities receiving post-secondary training, personal,social and work adjustment is an area of training where technologyconsultation and use may be overlooked. Obviously, limitationshave been identified to determine a need for this service. Peoplewith cognitive problems resulting from head trauma or stroke,persons who are mentally retarded, or persons with learning dis-abilities can benefit from simple technology aids such as a spellinghelper, calculator, counter or even a watch with an alarm to remindthem to stay on task, look at a schedule or go to the next task.

Changing Technology Needs: MakingAmendments to the Plan

As a person becomes more independent and active, equipmentand assistive technology that was appropriate during earlier VRstages may no longer be adequate. A client may even find the needfor less technology assistance because of improved strength andendurance or actual improvement in their physical condition. Con-versely, the client may find that by using assistive technology theyare more productive and competitive. A counselor should help aclient learn to monitor changing needs and to be ready to consultwith a technology specialist when indicated.


An excellent time to discuss with the client the importance oflong-range planning for anticipated technology needs is when aplan is amended for technology services, equipment repairs orchanging technology needs. This is also a good time to restate theagency's policy regarding purchasing and maintaining equipmentafter a case is closed. For technology users, it is imperative to havecontingency plans for emergencies. This is a must if employment isto be obtained and maintained.

The environments remain important. A client's living arrange-ment may change several times during training and each situationmay present a different problem. Training sites may have needsthat are constantly shifting because of the nature of the training.

v Technology Intervention PreparationSteps (TIPS)

The Technology Interventions Preparation Steps (TIPS) continuesto be a good method for solving technology problems as they arise.This method again keeps steps logical and timely so that needs canbe met and the plan not interrupted. Rehabilitation technologyconcerns should be reviewed when periodic reviews and amend-ments are completed. This gives the client and the counselor thechance to control events as much as possible.

TIPS for Planned ServicesStatus (141-Counseling and Guidence

Status (161-Physical Restoration

Status (181-Training


0 What previously unidentified 0 What is the client's comfortchallenges to receiving services level with technology?does the disability potentiallycreate?

0 What technology could poten-tially assist in meeting thesechallenges?



O Does the client have any newconcerns regarding equip-ment, modifications, etc., sincethe last review?

O Have there been changes inany environment (e.g., home,community, school/training or,work environments)?

O Does the technology beingused have any unanticipatednegative impacts in these en-vironments?

0 Do others involved with theclient have any concerns abouttechnology the client is using(e.g., instructors, family, atten-dants, etc.).

0 Are assistive technology de-vices being maintained on aregular basis?


O In what order should technol-ogy concerns be addressed?

O If a new technology concern isnot met or technology currentlybeing used is not updated, willthis cause a threat to the health

of the client or the achieve-ment of the vocational plan? Ifso, is immediate interventionneeded?

Notes:



0 For each concern identified,what technology specialistsmust become involved andwhat form must this involve-ment take?

0 What responsibility does theclient have in addressing con-cerns? Does he/she under-stand his/her responsibilities?

0 What is the time frame for ad-dressing concern(s)?

0 Who will fund the technology?

Notes:


8-5

I

T.... ....

97

Reminder at TECH POINT 4

(14) (16) (18)


Document:

IWRP Amendments Periodic Reviews

References

Scherer, M.J. (1990) Assistive device utilization and quality of life inadults with spinal cord injuries and cerebral palsy two yearslater. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 21(4), 36-44.)

84


TECH POINT 5Placement/Follow-Up

TECH POINT

NO

TECH POINT

00REFERRAL

02APPLICANT

EVALUATION

ELIGIBLE

MAYBE

06EXTENDED

EVALUATION

EVALUATION

YES

CLOSURE N

24SERVICE

NTER UPTED


TECH POINT

S IWRP

DEVELOPMENT

IWRPWRITTEN w/

CLIENT

IWRP

COMPLETED

/CLO3S0URE/

14

COG

8 18

PR T

TECH POINT

NOTYET

20READY FOR

EMPLOYMENT

( PLACEMENT

NO 28LONGER'R' CLOSUREUKELY

22IN

EMPLOYMENT'

FOLLOW -UP

/CLO2S6URE

OTECH POINT

a

SECTION 9

TECH POINT

ClosureOutcomes

08

26

28

3034

TECH POINT

ADDLSERVICES

EEDED7SERVICES

34CLOSURE

8 5 BEST COPY AVAILABLE


TECH POINT 5Placement/Follow-up

In this section

9-1

SECTION 9

Using the Rehabilitation Technology Specialist in Job Development

Placement Strategies Using Rehabilitation Technology Resources

"Essential Functions" of the Job: Determining What's Important

Reasonable Accommodations: Increasing Placement Success withRehabilitation Technology

Follow-up for Rehabilitation Technology Interventions


Using the Rehabilitation Technology Specialist inJob Development

Placement, TECH POINT 5, is often the time when a counselor orclient will recognize a need for technology services. Job analysis isan area that is often overlooked where a technology specialist canbe helpful.

Counselors who work primarily with people who have severephysical disabilities realize the importance of staying alert aboutfuture job placements. Early exploration while a client is still intraining or receiving other services is important. A rehabilitationengineer or other rehabilitation technology specialist can be mosthelpful in deciding how -essential functions' on a job site can beaccommodated.

The ADA will become an excellent tool to gain acceptance at jobsites that were previously closed to many clients. While exploringpotential job sites, the employer's application and referral process


must be analyzed. A technology consultation may be needed re-garding modifications or accommodations for the application pro-cess. Knowing these things ahead of time will help the client main-tain confidence and self-esteem. By preparing for the interview, theclient can concentrate on the actual interview and not worry aboutaccommodations that should have been made.

Vocational rehabilitation is unique in that it can offer employersaccess to rehabilitation technology resources and services. Using atechnology specialist to "consult" with employers can help withimmediate placement needs while also accomplishing job develop-ment for future placements. Utilizing technology consultation ser-vices to determine the feasibility of work site modifications or esti-mate costs can be a practical benefit to offer employers.

The concept of a "universal workplace . . . an environment incor-porating features useful to workers with and without disabilities"offers options for employers that can have other benefits (Mueller,1989). Applying principles of ergonomic design can help reduce theneed for accommodations and lessen the risk of work-relatedinjuries such as repetitive motion and lifting injuries. Using a rehabili-tation technology specialist familiar with work site accommodationsand industrial engineering principles can be a good resource for acounselor in approaching an employer who is reluctant to consideraccommodations.

v Placement Strategies Using RehabilitationTechnology Resources

VR data suggest many clients receive training but fail to obtainemployment. This may occur because the client and/or counselorbecome discouraged trying to address so many obstacles andbarriers in seeking employment. If the first few attempts at trying toresolve employment problems fail, it is hard to keep trying. Oftenthese failures can be attributed to minor problems which could havebeen resolved with a technological intervention.

Using TECH POINTS during the VR process will better prepareboth client and counselor for job placement activities. The Technol-ogy Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS) approach that worked inapplying for and using VR services will work in an employmentsetting. Advanced preparation and anticipation of concerns will payoff! 87


Each job placement is unique and TECH POINTS will assist inidentifying how to approach job site modification and accommoda-tions. Unique problems such as transportation issues that wereresolved for training may need different considerations for jobplacement. Reviewing adaptive equipment needs will ensure thatequipment continues to work for a client at home and at work.

Placement may involve relocation for a client and this couldchange his/her ability to perform other "major life activities." Appro-priate VR services should include helping the client review presentneeds and again anticipate changing needs.

"Essential Functions" of the Job:Determining What's Important

In job placement, it is important to identify the "essential functions"of the job. Too often, persons with disabilities have been eliminatedfrom applying for a job because of the method by which a task istypically performed, not the accomplishment of the task (e.g., typingwith fingers as opposed to typing by voice input). ADA makes the VRcounselor's ethical role such that if a client is qualified for a job withor without reasonable accommodations: then a referral should bemade. The decision then rests on the employer and the client todetermine his/her ability to perform "essential functions" of the job.

To help determine if a job function is "essential" for a person witha disability:

Consider:

Whether employees in the position actually are required toperform the function

Whether removing that function would fundamentallychange the job


9-3

Sometimes consideration of a custom

made piece of equipment is neces-

sary, but most often there are

commercially available aids and

devices which will work.

Reasonable Accommodations

"any change in the work

environment, or the way things are

customarily done, which allow an

individual with a disability equal

employment opportunity"

The Job Placement ADA Connection

(1992)

Reasonable Accommodations: IncreasingPlacement Success with RehabilitationTechnology

Reasonable accommodations should be an interactive processinvolving client, counselor, employer and, when needed, the tech-nology specialist, working together as a team. Each member of theteam has a special role based on their expertise and interest.

The client is the most knowledgeable about the limitationsof their disability and the concerns and expectations theyfeel toward the use of technology resources. They are themost important member of the team since they will be theone using the aid or device on a regular basis.

The counselor is able to help all the team members focuson the common objective of successful employment. An-other responsibility of the counselor is assisting the clientand employer in understanding obligations and responsi-bilities concerning technology.

The employer understands the essential functions of thejob and needs within the overall work environment. UnderADA, most employers should be aware of their responsibil-ity to make reasonable accommodations for workers withdisabilities. Including the employer on the technology teamcan result in new ideas and may create options otherwisenot considered.

The technology specialist can help in identifying reason-able accommodations that the client and employer may nothave considered. A rehabilitation engineer will often look ata situation from a different perspective, suggesting how amodified hand tool or a re-arranged workstation couldsolve a problem.

Sometimes roles shift based on the skills and expertise of one ofthe team members. Often the "reasonable accommodations" canbe proposed by the client without extensive involvement from theemployer. For example, if the client is particularly skilled in makingaccommodations for their limitations, they may be able to suggesthow things can best be accomplished. When this occurs, the coun-selor should assume a supportive role permitting the client moreflexibility and freedom in making decisions about his/her employ-ment.

89,TECH POINTS Integrating Rehabilitation Technology Into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

If accommodations are found to be necessary, the involvement ofthe technology specialist to help problem-solve and suggest alter-natives is usually beneficial. A look at how this accommodationprocess usually occurs illustrates the perspective of most technol-ogy specialists.

The accommodation process that a technology specialist willgenerally follow:

O Identification of the capabilities and limitations of theindividual and the specific demands of the job.

O Determination of and which aspects of the job areproblems barriers for the individual in terms of:

specific tasks,the work environment.

O Determination of possible solutions to overcome thebarriers:

changing the job,changing the equipment,changing the capabilities of the individual.

O Initiation of the change and evaluation.

(Designing Jobs for Handicapped Workers, 1985)

This process illustrates how technology specialists approach theidentification of what the actual barriers are and then look atpossible solutions.

Follow-up for Rehabilitation TechnologyInterventions

Active follow-up by the VR counselor can make a difference for theclient and the employer. Offering technology consultation servicesis sometimes the very thing that can keep a client and employerworking together to solve a problem. Often small tasks seeminsurmountable. A job site visit or job analysis from a technologyspecialist can often suggest simple solutions to problems.

In conducting follow-up, the counselor should ensure that anyworkstation modifications or assistive technology equipment isfunctioning effectively. Follow-up on technology interventions can


be important since clients sometimes stop using assistive technol-ogy without informing the counselor or employer. The reasons forabandonment vary; improvement in client functioning, changes injob tasks, inappropriate equipment, etc. It is important for thecounselor to determine the reason and make changes if necessary.This will also help to increase the counselor's knowledge of howtechnology resources and services can be used most effectively.

Technology Interventions Preparation Steps

Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS) can serve as aquick check to see if technology concerns are being met duringplacement.

(TIPS) For Placement and Follow-up(20) (22)


O What challenges to searchingfor and obtaining work doesthe disability create for this cli-ent?

0 Would technology potentiallyassist this client in overcomingthese challenges?

CI Does the client have concernsabout the use or potential needfor technology in finding ormaintaining a job?

Notes:

91



O Is the technology currently usedby this client adequate to meetapplication, job placement andjob maintenance needs?

O Will any reasonable accommo-dation be needed for the appli-cation process (e.g., interpreteraccessibility, writing aids,transportation, etc.)?

O With the present vocational ob-jective, what needs can be pre-dicted to perform the "essen-tial functions" of the job?

0 Will the present living arrange-ments change when place-ment is achieved? How? Willthis create new technologyneeds?

O What is unique a bout this place-ment (e.g., restrooms, worksta-tion and equipment needs)?Does this work situation createany new technology or accom-modation needs?

0 If the technology need is notmet, will this delay the place-ment of this client in employ-ment?


O In what order should the tech-nology needs identified for thisstatus be addressed?

O Are there any deadlines?

O Other than the client and thecounselor, who else should beinvolved in setting priorities?

O What is the impact of these pri-orities on job application, jobplacement or job mainte-nance?


92

9-8

*Reminder at TECH POINT 5

(20) (22)


Document on: IWRP Amendments

Annual Periodic


O What technology specialistsshould be involved and whatform should this involvementtake?

O Can potential employer and/or client solve the technologyconcern?

O What steps are needed to ad-dress the technology con-cerns?

O Is there a plan for completingeach step?

O Who will fund the technology?


O Has the employer been in-volved? Does he/she under-stand his/her responsibilities?

Notes:

93


References

Pimentel, R.K., Bell, C.G., & Lotito, MJ. (1993). The job-placement -ADA connection. Northridge, CA: Milt Wright & Associates.

Mueller, J. (1989). Toward universal design. Proceedings of the 12thAnnual RESNA Conference. pp. 198-199. Washington, DC: RESNA

Press.

Mueller, J. (1990). The Workplace Workbook. Washington, DC: DoleFoundation Americans with Disabilities Act Handbook

Alexander, D. (1986). Designing Jobs for Handicapped Workers.Washington, DC: RESNA Press.


94

TECH POINT 6Closure

00REFERRAL

TECH POINT 02APPLICANT

EVALUATION

NO ELIGIBLE YES

MAYBE

06EXTENDED

EVALUATION

TECH POINT

EVALUATION

08CLOSURE

24

SERVICEINTERRUPTED

TECH POINT

IWRPWRITTEN wI

CLIENT

12

IWRP

COMPLETED

14 16 16

COG PR T

30CLOSURE

TECH POINT


TECH POINT

ADDL I 32 POST I

SE

SERVICES

RVICES EMPLOYMENTFlow chart taken from CLOSURE

Rehabilitation Counseling:

... SERVICES

Basic and Beyond (1987)

SECTION 10

OTECH POINT

ClosureOutcomes

08

26

28

30

34

95 BEST COPY AVAILABLE


TECH POINT 6Closure Points

In this section

10-1

-c7-

SECTION 10

Improving Successful Closures Through Use of Rehabilitation Technology

Documenting Consideration and/or Use of Rehabilitation Technology


Improving Successful Closures Through Use ofRehabilitation Technology

Successful employment is VR's goal for each person applying forservices. Successful closure is a time to celebrate the hours of hardwork that have taken place. TECH POINT 6 isan important time toreview what impact technology services had on the successfuloutcome. Even if the outcome was unsuccessful, it is important tosee if technology intervention at a different point would have madea difference.

TECH POINT 6 is a time to review with the client problem-solvingskills to enable him/her to resolve future technology needs. It iscertain that an assistive technology user will need intervention inthe future. This is going to happen because of the changes intoday's job market, transportation, adaptive equipment and possi-

ID bly the client's disability. Just the fact that the client will age oftenchanges the need for assistive technology.

Center (or Rehabilitation Technology Services 96

10-2

It is important to document

o rehabilitation technology services

provided

o assistive technology equipment or

devices purchased

o other technology related services

A review of technology needs with the employer may also beindicated. The counselor or client may want to share the Technol-ogy Intervention Preparation Steps process with the employer.This process could enhance the communication between the clientand employer concerning "reasonable accommodations." It alsoenforces a principle of ADA: First consult the person with a disabilitywhen there is a problem concerning his/her abilityto perform a task.

Documenting Considerations and/or Use ofRehabilitation Technology

Closure of a VR case requires documentation of the services andassistance provided to each client. For successful closures, it isimportant to record those technology interventions that had animpact on successful employment. Careful review of technologyintervention at closure can help a counselor learn what works bestin dealing with technology issues.

Unfortunately, there are times when well-intended use of reha-bilitation technology will not work for a particular problem or need.There are other situations when rehabilitation technology will im-prove functional capabilities, but still not result in employment. It isimportant to document all technology interventions for unsuccessfulclosures. Documentation helps collect information which can beused to determine if technology use had any impact on outcomes.This should help improve the counselor's judgement about whenand where to use technology services.

Certain types of unsuccessful closures are scheduled for "ineligi-bility reviews" within a year after closure. Sometimes it is determinedthat cases can be reopened and that the technology interventionspreviously used did make a difference. It is equally important toinvestigate changes in the client's disability to warrant reconsideringrehabilitation technology.

97



Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS) at closure serveas a quick check to see if technology concerns were appropriatelyconsidered throughout the VR process. This should be completedfor both successful and unsuccessful cases.

Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS)for Successful Closures

(26) and (34)

For clients who are successfully employed, counselors should usethe following questions and considerations to quickly review thecase to ensure that the closure is appropriate and that any technol-ogy-related considerations needed to maintain employment areaddressed.


O Review possible challengeswhich this disability may cre-ate in maintaining successfulemployment.

0 Would technology potentiallyassist the client in overcomingthese challenges?

O Does the applicant have con-cerns about using technologyin any environment?

O Does the employer have con-cerns about the client usingtechnology on the job?


98

10-4


O Is the client meeting job expec-tations and performing the "es-sential functions" of the job? Ifnot, why not (e.g., speed, lackof skills, inability to use equip-ment, etc.)? Would technologyor accommodations help theclient meet performance re-quirements?

0 Can the employer and clientpinpoint the task which is cre-ating the problem? What solu-tions have been tried or con-

sidered? Would technology oraccommodations help the cli-ent overcome the problem?

O Does the company have otheremployees who may be able tomake the accommodation(e.g., a technical person on staff,in-house maintenance, etc.)?

O Are there any anticipated post-employment needs that mayinvolve technology?


O In what order should the tech-nology needs identified for thisstatus be addressed?


O Can the concerns be resolvedin a reasonable time frame?

O Is employment in jeopardy ifnot solved immediately?

O Is there a temporary solutionthat will work until a more per-manent solution is found?

0 Other than the employer, theclient and the counselor, whoelse should be involved in set-ting priorities?

O What is the impact of settingthese priorities in terms ofpeople, health, money, agencyguidelines or employment?

99




O Can the employer and/or cli-ent solve the technology con-cerns?

O What steps are needed to ad-dress the technology con-cerns?



O Has the employer been in-volved? Does he/she under-stand his/her responsibilities?

Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS)for Unsuccessful Closures (08) (28) (30)

For clients who have not been successful in obtaining or maintain-ing employment, counselors should carefully review the case todetermine if appropriate consideration was given to technologyresources and services.


O Review challenges which thisdisability created in consider-ing vocational rehabilitationpotential.

O Would technology potentiallyassist the client in overcomingthese challenges?

O Does the applicant have con-cerns about using technology?


10©

10-5

*Reminder at TECH POINT 6 for

successful closures

(26) (34)

Were technology services considered

and/or provided during the case

services process?

Document on: Appropriate Agency

Forms

10-6

Under the mandate of the

Rehabilitation Act VR agencies are

expected to monitor how they are

using technology resources and

services.

*Reminder at TECH POINT 6 for

unsuccessful closures

(08)(28)(30)

Were technology services considered

prior to closure?

Document on: Appropriate Agency

Forms


O Were possible impacts of tech-nology on home, community,school/training and work envi-ronments considered?

O Has the use of technologybenefitted the client?

O Were all funding options con-sidered?

0 Did the client or counselor's at-titude toward technology af-fect the outcome for this client?Have all alternatives been con-sidered?


O Were all people who neededto be involved, adequately in-volved in a timely and appro-priate fashion? If not, involvethe a ppro priate people prior toclosure.

0 Was the technology specialistconsulted in an appropriateand timely fashion? If not, con-sider this consultation prior toclosure.


0 What steps can be taken at thispoint to prevent unsuccessfulclosure?

0 Has the applicant/client beeninvolved? Does he/she under-stand the reason for closure?

101


TECH POINT 7Post-Employment

OTECH POINT

00

REFERRAL

ENO

06EXTENDED

EVALUATION

EVALUATION

YES

/CLOSURE

24

SERVICEINTERRUPTED


TECH POINT

S41.10

IWRP

DEVELOPMENT

IWRPWRITTEN w/

CLIENT__

12

IWRP

COMPLETED

/CLOSURE

14

CAD

16

PR

18

TECH POINT

NOT WORKVET READY?

28LONGERCLOSURELIKELY /

20READY FOR

EMPLOYMENT a

( PLACEMENT

22IN

EMPLOYMENT!

( FOLLOW -UP )

OTECH POINT

SECTION 11

OTECH POINT

ClosureOutcomes

08

2628

3034

OTECH POINT

32 POST

CLOSURE /~SE-/ 26

EMPLOYMENTEEDED?

SERVICES r( SERVICES34

I CLOSURE

BEST COPY AVAILABLE


TECH POINT 7Post Employment

In this section

SECTION 11

Maintaining Employment Using Rehabilitation Technology

Anticipating Maintenance and Replacement Needs forAssistive Technology Devices

V Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS)

V Maintaining Employment Using RehabilitationTechnology

Post-employment needs can sometimes be anticipated at thetime of closure. It is possible that a person's job site or the nature ofthe job is scheduled to change after several months on the job. It isreassuring for the client and the employer to know that assistivetechnology services are available should they be needed. This canbe an excellent tool for enhancing job placement.

If a client needs post-employment services, the TechnologyIntervention Preparation Steps (TIPS) should be applied todetermine if there is an immediate threat to employment or if theintervention will enhance opportunity. The TECH POINTS processwill help determine if post-employment services are indicated and/or if a new case should be opened. Rehabilitation technology ser-vices are one of the major reasons that post-employment servicesmight be indicated.


Change is unavoidable. lay-offs, promotions or any other factorsthat affect jobs can create major problems for persons with disabili-ties who rely on technology services and devices in the employmentsetting. Post-employment services are often needed to help analyzechanges and determine needs.

Anticipating Maintenance and ReplacementNeeds for Assistive Technology Devices

Persons who rely on technology know that their equipment willneed maintenance and repair. This is true of any technology, notjust that used for rehabilitation purposes. The person with a disabil-ity needs to know where and how equipment can be repaired andmaintained quickly and efficiently so that employment is not inter-rupted. It is imperative that the person with a disability learn his/herresponsibility for doing this on a periodic basis.

If a person uses specialized equipment, a list of distributors,vendors and technology specialist should be kept updated. He/sheshould know the name of the equipment and all information per-taining to repair or replacement.

It is important to discuss the "lifespan" and cost of assistivetechnology. Manual wheelchairs, for example, are expected to lastfive to seven years; other items such as crutches and walkers mayneed replacement every two to three years. Van modifications cancost $30,000 or more. Counselors should ensure that the client iseducated about employer benefits, savings, low interest loans andother options that may be available in the community. If a clientreceives Social Security or 551, discussing Work Related Expensesand Work Incentive Plans is necessary. Many clients do not takeadvantage of these benefits that have been written into law. Indi-vidual tax deductions and small business tax credits and deduc-tions are available and might be considered by the person with adisability or his/her employer. Responsibility for upkeep and main-tenance should not come as a surprise to the client after the case isclosed. A newly equipped van, a new power chair, etc., are largeexpenses and VR cannot be expected to always be responsible.

104



Technology Intervention Preparation Steps (TIPS) in post-employ-ment will serve as a quick check to see if technology needs will be anongoing concern and if post-employment services are indicated.

Post-Employment(34)


O Have any "major life activities"or "essential functions' of thejob changed? If so, did this re-sult in a need for change intechnology?

O Would technology potentiallyassist in overcoming thesechallenges?

0 Does the client have concernsabout the use of technology?

0 Does the employer have con-cerns about the use of technol-ogy on the job?


0 What are the client's technol-ogy concerns? Do they differfrom the employers concern?What caused this concern tobe an issue for employment?

O Are any of the technology con-cerns a direct threat to em-ployment?

0 If the health of the client is aconcern, would technology in-tervention be appropriate/use -ful?


*Reminder at TECH POINT 7 (32)


Document:

Post employment follow-up forms

Consider need to open as a new

case


O In what order should the tech- 0 Is there a temporary solutionnology needs identified for this that will work until a more per-status be addressed? manent solution is found?


O Can the concerns be resolvedin a reasonable time frame?

0 Is employment in jeopardy ifnot solved immediately?

O Other than the employer, theclient and the counselor, whoelse should be involved in set-ting priorities?


O Can the employer and/or cli-ent solve the technology con-cern?

O Can employer and client solvethe technology concerns withreferral to other resources?


0 What steps are needed to ad-dress the technology con-cerns?



O Has the employer been in-volved? Does he/she need tobe involved?

O Who will fund the technology?

O Will post-employment servicesbe needed or will a new VRcase be opened?

106


1!1 Agency Guidelines forSECTION 1 2Rehabilitation Technology

107


Rehabilitation TechnologyAgency Guidelines

In this section

Agency Guidelines

Case Service Policies for Rehabilitation Technology Services

Funding Resources

Forms for Technology Service Activities

Agency Guidelines

In order for TECH POINTS to be effective, counselors should be

kept informed of their agency's guidelines and policies for use ofrehabilitation technology. It is suggested that policies and proce-dures for referral to technology services, selection of technologyservice providers, funding considerations and other technology-related information be included in this section for easy reference.


108

SECTION 12

12-2

Case Service Policies for RehabilitationTechnology Services

109


Funding Resources


110

1

12 -3

12-4

V Forms for Technology Service Activities

111


11 Rehabilitation TechnologySECTION 13Resources and Training

112


Rehabilitation TechnologyResources and Training

In this section

SECTION 13

Rehabilitation Technology Information Resources and Databases





Local Technology Service Providers

Technology-Related Assistance Projects




113

n

REFERENCEINFORMATION ...,

Rehabilitation Technology InformationResources and Databases

IERNIESERNMEEME

The following is a partial resource list for centers, national organizations, and information networks

related to applications of rehabilitation technology. Information on products, publications, and technology

related issues is made available through these centers.

Abledata ProductInformation DatabaseMACRO Systems, Inc.

8455 Colesville RoadSilver Spring, MD 20910-3319301-588-9284800-346-2742

Extensive collection of over 17,000 commer-cially available assistive technology aids anddevices.

Accent on InformationP.O. Box 700Bloomington, IL, 61702309-378-2961

Information on consumer products and ap-plications of technology from the consumer'sperspective.

Apple Office of SpecialEducation Programs

Apple Computer20525 Mariana Avenue, MS23DCupertino, CA 95014(408) 974-7910

This office is responsible for Apple computertechnologies appropriate to meet the Spe-cial Education and Rehabittation needs ofpeople with a wide range of disabilities.

Clearinghouse On ComputerAccommodation (COCA)

GSA Central Office18th and F Street, NWRoom 1213Washington, DC 20405

A demonstration and technical resource cen-ter providing information on frequently usedhardware /software and workstation furnish-

"

ings to accommodate individuals with dis-abilities. Provides ongoing consultation and/or technical assistance.

Cooperative DatabaseDistribution Network for AssistiveTechnology (CO-NET)

Trace R&D Center on ComputerAccessCommunications, and controlS -151 Waisman Center1500 Highland AvenueMadison, WI 53705608-262-6966 (voice)608-263-5408 (TTY)

Job Accommodation Network(JAN)

809 Allen HallWest Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV 26506800-526-7234

Employment and placement resource sup-ported by the President's Committee on Em-ployment of Persons with Disabilities.

National Information Centeron Deafness

Gallaudet University800 Florida Avenue, NEWashington, DC 20002202-651-5052 (TTY)202-651-5000 (voice)

114

National Information SystemCenter for Developmental Dis-abilities

Benson Building, First FloorUniversity of South CarolinaColumbia, SC 29208803-777-4435800-922-9234 ext.301

National RehabilitationInformation Center (NARIC)

8455 Colesville RoadSuite 935Silver Spring, MD 20910-3319301-588-9284800-346-2742

National Technical InformationService

U.S. Dept. of Commerce5285 Port Royal RoadSpringfield, VA 22161703-487-4600(general information)703-487-4650 (documents)703-487-4642 (searches)

RESNA1700 N. Moore StreetSuite 1540Arlington, VA 22209-1903703-524-6686703-524-6630 (fax)

RESNA is an interdisciplinary association forthe advancement of rehabilitation andassistive technology. Provides information,technical assistance, RESNA Press publica-tions, and resources.

REV. 5/94

1i?

REFERENCEINFORMATION ....


The following list represents a sample of the catalogs available on products for persons with disabilities.Most of these are available at no cost and offer "800" number telephone access. Establishing a collection ofcatalogs is an excellent way to obtain information on assistive technology products and equipment.

AIDS FOR DAILY LIVING

Abbey Foster4295 International Blvd., #0Norcross, GA 30093404-564-2224

AdaptabilityP.O. Box 515Colchester, CT 06415-0515800-243-9232203-537-3451

Fred Sammons, Inc.P.O. Box 386 Western Springs IL60558-0386800-547-4333708-325-1700

Maddak/Ableware6 Industrial Ave.Pequannock, NJ 07440-1993800-443-4926201-305-0841

Maxi Aids, IncP.O. Box # 3209Farmingdale, NY 11735800-522-6294516-752-0521

North Coast Medical, Inc.187 Stauffer BoulevardSan Jose, CA 95125800-821-9319408-283-1900

COMMUNICATION AIDS

ACS Technologies, Inc.1400 Lee DriveCoraopolis, PA 15108800-227-2922412-264-2288

Innocomp26210 Emery RoadSuite 302Warrensville Hts OH 44128216-464-3636

Prentke Romich Co.1022 Hey' RoadWooster OH 44691800-262-1984216-262-1984

Words+, Inc.40015 Sierra HighwayBuilding B-145Palmdale, CA 93550800-869-8521805-266-8500

COMPUTER ACCESS(Hardware/Software)

Don Johnston DevelopmentEquipment, Inc.

P.O. Box 6391000 N. Rand, Bldg. 115Wauconda, IL 60084800-999-4660708-526-2682

115

Global Computer Supply1050 Northbrook Pkwy; Dept.21Suwanee, GA 30174800-845-6225

InmacInmac Order Center2300 Valley View Lane, Suite 200Irving, TX 75062-5058800-547-5444

International Business MachinesCorporation

Special Needs SystemsP.O. Box 1328Boca Raton, FL 33429-1328800-426-4832

ENVIRONMENTALCONTROLS/SWITCHES

AblenetAccess Ability, Inc.1081 10th Avenue, SEMinneapolis, MN 55414800-322-0956612-379-0956

Adaptive Switch LaboratoriesP.O. Box 218445Houston, TX 77218800 626-8698713-827-7766

Key TechnologiesP.O. Box 1997

Morganton, NC 28680-1997704-433-5302

TECH REFERENCE INFORMATION

REV. 5/94

Tash, Inc.Unit 1, 91 Station StreetAjax, OntarioCanada LIS3H2416-686-4129

X-10 Inc.91 Ruckman RoadCloster, NJ 07624201-784-9700

ERGONOMICS

AbleOff iceCenter for RehabilitationTechnology, Inc.Georgia Institute for TechnologyAtlanta, GA 30332-0156404-876-8570

Back Designs1045 Ashby AvenueBerkeley, CA 94710-2807800-466-1341510-849-1923

Ergodyne1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 1St. Paul, MN 55108800-225-8238612-642-9889

Ergosource, Inc4250 Norex DriveChaska, MN 55318800-969-4374612-368-9214

MOBILITY

Everest and Jennings1100 Corporate Square DriveSt.Luis, MS 63132

800-235-4661

Invacare899 Cleveland StreetElyria, OH 44035800-828-6282216-329-6456

Quickie Designs Inc.2842 Business Park Ave.Fresno, CA 93727-1328800-456-8168209-292-2171

The Med Group3223 South Loop 289Suite 600Lubbock, TX 79423800-825-5633806-793-8421

SEATING AND POSITIONING

Freedom Designs, Inc.2241 Madera RoadSimi Valley, CA 93065800-331-8551

Jay Medical, Ltd4745 Walnut StreetBoulder, CO 80301800-648-8282303-442-5529

Pin Dot Products6001 Gross Point RoadNiles, IL 60648-4027800-451-3553

Whitmyer Biomechanbc Inc.848 Blountstown Hwy. Suite FlTallahassee, Florida 32304904-575-5510

VISION AND HEARING AIDS

American Foundation for the Blind15 West 16th StreetNew York, NY 10011800-829-0500212-620-2000


Hear you are, Inc.4 Musconetcong Ave.Stanhope, NJ. 07874800-278-3277201-347-7662

Massachusetts Associationfor the Blind

200 Ivy StreetBrookline, MA 02146617-738-5110

Phonic Ear Inc.3880 Cypress DrivePetaluma, CA 94954-7600707-769-1110

AT&T Source Book15 West 6th Street3rd FloorCincinnati OH 45202800-451-2100

LaBac Systems8955 S. Ridgeline BlvdHighlands RanchColorado 80126303-791-6000

McDowell-Craig13146 Firestone BlvdNorwalk, CA 90450213-773-3451

Thomas Register510 Penn PlazaNew York, NY 10001212-290-7262212-290-7373 Fax

The Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services (CRTS) is part of the South Carolina Vocational RehabilitationDepartment. Support for this work has been provided through the National Institute on Disability andRehabilitation Research (NIDRRI, U.S. Department of Education, Washington D.C. as part of the rehabilitationengineering research center grant #H133E20002-93. Opinions expressed in this paper are those of thewriters and should not be construed to represent opinions or policies of NIDRR.


116

SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department 1410-C Boston Ave. West Columbia, SC 29170

REFERENCEINFORMATION"

Periodicals on Rehabilitation TechnologyResources and Services

This Tech Reference Guide highlights current information on assistive technology that can be found inprofessional journals, magazines and newsletters. An excellent source of current information on assistivetechnology can be found in the numerous professional journals, magazines and newsletters which areavailable. Many of these focus primarily on applications of rehabilitation technology. The following listingdescribes many of these periodicals, including several from the perspective of specific disability groups.Ordering information including cost and a short description is provided for each.

AADC NewsAmerican Association of DisabilityCommunicatorsSponsored by the National EasterSeal SocietyCommunications Department70 E. Lake StreetChicago, IL 606011312) 726-6200

Published quarterly. Cost: $25.00 withindividual membership per year. Newsitems for persons interested in assistivedevices for persons with disabilities.

Accent on LivingCheever Publishing, Inc.Gillum Road and High DrivePO Box 700Bloomington, IL 61702(309) 378-2961

Published quarterly. Cost: $8.00 per year.Articles, pictures and product advertisementsof interest to persons with disabilities.

ACS UpdateAdaptive CommunicationSystems, Inc.354 Hookstown Grade RoadClinton, PA 15026(412) 264-2288

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Conferenceannouncements and articles pertaining totechnical aids and devices used by non-speaking individuals. Also articles of interestto vendors and speech/language patholo-gists.

AFB NewsAmerican Foundationfor the Blind15 West 16th StreetNew York, NY 10011(212) 620-2029

Published quarterly. Cost: free. News andarticles about blindness and low vision.

AOPA AlmanacAmerican Orthotic and ProstheticAssociation1650 King StreetAlexandria, VA 22314(703) 836-7116

Published monthly. Cost: $24.00 per year.News and articles of interest to orthotic andprosthetic practitioners.

ARC.Association forRetarded CitizensP. 0. Box 1047Arlington, TX 76004(817) 261-6003

Published 6 times a year. Cost: $15.00 peryear. General news articles, announce-ments, and legislative updates relevant tothe field of mental retardation.

AbilitiesCanada's Lifestyle Magazine forPeople with DisabilitiesCanadian Abilities FoundationBox 527, Station PToronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2T1(416) 588-8431

Published quarterly. Cost: $12.00 per year.News and articles of interest for personswith disabilities.

American Journal of OccupationalTherapy

The American OccupationalTherapy Association, Inc.1383 Piccard DriveP. O. Box 1725Rockville, MD 20849-1725(301) 948-9626

Published monthly. Cost: $25.00 per year.The official publication of the American Oc-cupational Therapy Association. Articlespertain to occupational therapy, new pro-grams and techniques of practice. Reportson research and educational activities andprofessional trends.

American RehabilitationRehabilitation ServicesAdministration330 C Street, SW, Room 3414Washington, DC 20202-2531

The official publication of the RehabilitationServices Administration. Published quar-terly. Cost: $5.00 per year. Articles of gen-eral interest to individuals employed in therehabilitation field.

TECH REFERENCE INFORMATIONREV. 5/94

Assistive Device NewsPennsylvania Assistive DeviceCenter150 South Progress AvenueHarrisburg, PA 17109(717) 657-5840

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Articles andannouncements of general interest to edu-cation professionals, consumers, famil ies andothers interested in the applications ofassistive technology to aid persons with dis-abilities. Focuses on augmentative commu-nication and computer applications.

Assistive TechnologyDemos Publications, Inc.156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1018New York, NY 10010(212) 255-8768

Published quarterly. Cost: $37.50 per year.The official journal of RESNA. Research ar-ticles targeted for individuals working or in-terested in the field of rehabilitation engi-neering.

A.T. QuarterlyRESNA Technical Assistance Project1101 Connecticut Ave.NW, Suite 700Washington, D.C. 20036

Published quarterly. Cost: Free. This news-letter was developed under a contract withthe National Institute on Disability and Reha-bilitation Research (NIDRR) and contains ar-ticles about assistive technology projectsaround the country.

Augmentative and AlternativeCommunication

Decker Periodicals, Inc.One James Street SouthP. O. Box 620, L.C.D.I.

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3K7(416) 522-7017

Published quarterly. Cost: $95.00 per year.Research findings and articles in the field ofaugmentative and alternative communica-tion.


Augmentative CommunicationNews

Sunset EnterprisesOne Surf Way, Suite 215Monterey, CA 93940(408) 649-3050

Published quarterly. Cost: $37.00 per year.Articles and news for consumers and clini-cians dealing with augmentative devices.

Breaking New GroundDepartment of AgriculturalEngineeringPurdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN 47907-1146(317) 494-5988

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Articles,reports, and photographs of interest to farm-ers with disabilities.

BulletinNational Clearinghouseon Technology and AgingUniversity Center on AgingUniversity of MassachusettsMedical Center, 55 Lake AvenueNorth, Worcester, MA 01655(508) 856-3662

Published twice a year. Cost: $5.00 per year.Articles and general information on geron-tology.

CRT News UpdateCenter for Rehabilitation TechnologyGeorgia Institute for Technology490 10th Street, NWAtlanta, GA 30332-0156(404) 876-8580

Published approximately six times per year.Cost: free. News dealing with rehabilitationtechnology information in Georgia.

Careers and the DisabledEqual Opportunity Publications, Inc.44 BroadwayGreenlawn, NY 11740(516) 261-8899

Published three times a year. Cost: $10.00per year. Articles of interest to rehabilitationcounselors, individuals with disabilities andcorporate personnel recruiters.

Closing the GapClosing the Gap, Inc.P. 0. Box 68Henderson, MN 56044(612) 248-3294

Published six times a year. Cost: $26.00 peryear. A newsletter for individuals interestedin applying computer technology to meet theneeds of persons with disabilities.

Co-Net NewsNewsletter of the CooperativeDatabase Dissemination Networkfor Assistive TechnologyTrace R&D Center5-151 Waisman CenterUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison1500 Highland AvenueMadison, WI 53705(608) 262-6966

Published quarterly. Cost: free. A newsletterfor people interested in assistive technologyand individuals with disabilities.

Communicating TogetherSharing to LearnP. 0. Box 986Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L3T 4A5(416) 771-1491

Published quarterly. Cost: $19.00 per year. Afocal point for sharing the experiences andcommunication systems of non-speakingpeople, their families and the professionalswho work with them.

Communication OutlookArtificial Language LaboratoryMichigan State University405 Computer CenterEast Lansing, MI 48824-1042(517) 353-0870

Published quarterly. Cost: $18.00 per year.An international periodical for individuals in-terested in applying technology to the com-munication needs of persons with severedisabilities.

118Center for Rehabilitation Technology ServicesSC Vocational Rehabilitation Department 1410-C Boston Ave. West Columbia, SC 29170


Computer Disability NewsThe National Easter Seal Society70 East Lake StreetChicago, IL 60601(312) 667-7400

Published quarterly. Cost: $15.00 per year.Focuses on computer products and services;includes interviews and new equipment in-formation.

Computer Use in Social ServicesNetwork

University of Texas at ArlingtonCUSSN Network CoordinatorBox 19129Graduate School of Social WorkArlington, TX 76019-0129(817) 640-7880

Published 4 times a year. Cost: $15.00 peryear. A network for professionals interestedin exchanging information and experienceson using computers in the human servicesfield.

Current ExpressionsPrentke Romich Company1022 Heyl RoadWooster, OH 446911212) 262-1984

Newsletter. Published quarterly. Cost: free.Articles and stories pertaining to the field ofenvironmental controls, augmentative com-munication equipment, public and privateprograms to aid those with severe communi-cation limitations.

Direct LinkCenter for Computer Assistance tothe Disabled617 Seventh AvenueFort Worth, TX 76104(817) 870-9082

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Newsletter.Provides updated information for personswith disabilities who have an interest in com-puters.

Electronic HouseElectronic House, Inc.56790 Magnetic DriveMishawaka, IN 46545(219) 256-2060

Published bi-monthly. Cost: $89.70 per year.The journal of home automation; articles andadvertisements related to remote control andhome computerization.

Exceptional ChildrenCouncil for Exceptional Children1920 Association DriveReston, VA 22091-1589(703) 264-9454

Published 6 times per year. Cost: $35.00 peryear. Articles focus on professional issues ofconcern to special educators and on theeducation and development of exceptionalstudents.

GA-SK NewsletterTelecommunications for the Deaf,Inc.814 Thayer AvenueSilver Spring, MD 20910(301) 589-3006

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Featuresnews, articles and advertisements of interestto persons with hearing impairments andprofessionals.

GerontologyThe American OccupationalTherapy Association, Inc.1383 Piccard Drive, P.O. Box 1725Rockville, MD 20849-1725(301) 948-9626

Published quarterly. Cost: $15.00 per year.A newsletter for professionals working in theallied health occupations field.

HPV NewsInternational Human PoweredVehicle Association, Inc.P.O. Box 51255Indianapolis, IN 46251(317) 876-9478

Published 6 times a year. Cost: $20.00 peryear. Articles of news and interest to indi-viduals interested in the creativity, design,and development of human powered ve-

., hicles.

Home Health Care DealerThe Journal of HME RetailingAllied Health Care Publications1849 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 770Los Angeles, CA 90025(213) 479-1769

Published bi-monthly. Cost: free. Articlesand advertisements of interest to health caredistributors and users of their products.

ISTE

International Society for Technologyin Education1787 Agate StreetEugene, OR 97403-1923(503) 346-4414

Published 8 times a year. Cost: $46 a year.News updates about education and technol-

ogy.

inCider ,

Incider Subscription ServicesP.O. Box 58618Boulder, CO 80322-8618(800) 289-0619

Published monthly. Cost: $27.97 per year.Features news stories, advertisements andother special interest articles for individualsusing or interested in using Apple II comput-ers.

Independent LivingEqual Opportunity Publications, Inc.44 BroadwayGreenlawn, NY 11740(516) 261-9086

Published quarterly. Cost: $15.00 per year.News and articles related to physical disabil-ity. Advertisements are focused on adaptiveequipment for the physically challenged.

In The MainstreamMainstream, Inc.3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 830Bethesda, MD 20814(301) 654-2400

Published every two months. Cost: $60.00per year. News updates, analysis and re-ports of legislation pertaining to the disabled.

TECH REFERENCE INFORMATION 0

119 REV. 5/94

1 1

International Journal ofTechnology and Aging

Human Sciences Press, Inc.233 Spring StreetNew York, NY 10013-1578(212) 807-1047

Published bi-annually. Cost: $29.00 per year.Articles for researchers, academicians andhealth care professionals dealing with tech-nology and the aging community.

Issues In Science And TechnologyNational Academy of Sciences2101 Constitution AvenueWashington, DC 20418(202) 334-3305

Published quarterly. Cost: $36.00 per year.Research articles by noted scholars in a vari-ety of technology areas.

Journal of Prosthetics andOrthotics

American Orthotic and ProstheticAssociation, and the Academy ofOrthotists and Prosthetists717 Pendleton StreetAlexandria, VA 22314(703) 836-7116/8

Published quarterly. Cost: $50.00. Articlesare of special interest to practicingprosthetists and orthotists.

Journal of Rehabilitation Researchand Development

Office of Technology TransferRehabilitation Research andDevelopment ServiceVeteran's AdministrationProsthetics R&D Center103 South Gay StreetBaltimore, MD 21202-4051(410) 962-1800

Published quarterly. Cost: free. In addition toinformation related to rehabilitation andassistive technology research and develop-ment, this journal abstracts relevant technol-ogy information from other journals.


Journal of Special EducationTechnology

Peabody CollegeBox 328Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN 37203(615) 322 -8150.

Published quarterly. Cost: $17.00 per year.Information, research, and reports of inno-vative practices regarding the application ofeducational technology toward the develop-ment and education of exceptional children.

Long Cane NewsAmerican Foundation for the Blind15 W. 16th StreetNew York, NY 10011(212) 620-2000

Published twice a year. Cost: $8.00 per year.A newsletter for professionals working withindividuals with visual impairments in thearea orientation and mobility training.

Macintosh Lab Monitor (The)Richard WandermanP. O. Box 1386Litchfield, CT 06759(203) 567-4307

Published quarterly. Cost: free. A publica-tion of interest to individuals using aMacintosh computer in special educationapplications.

MainstreamExploding Myths, Inc.2973 Beech StreetSan Diego, CA 92102(619) 234-3138

Published monthly, except January and June.Cost: $20.00 per year. Advertisements, ar-ticles, and stories of interest to persons withphysical disabilities and rehabilitation per-sonnel.

NARIC QuarterlyMacro Systems, Inc.8455 Colesville Rood Suite 935Silver Spring, MD 20910-3319(800) 346-2742

Published quarterly. Cost: free. This is anewsletter for those involved with isslefinnrehabilitation and disability. 4


NASA Tech BriefsAssociated Business PublicationsCo., Ltd.41 E. 42nd StreetNew York, NY 10017-5391(212) 490-3999

Published monthly except July/August andNovember/December. Cost: $75.00 per year.A magazine dedicated toward transferringNASA technology to American industry andgovernment.

National Rehabilitation NewsletterNational Rehabilitation Association633 South Washington StreetAlexandria, VA 22314-4193(703) 836-0850

Published 8 times a year. Cost: $10.00 peryear. News of general interest to all rehabili-tation professionals.

NewsNational Library for the Blind andPhysically Handicapped Library ofCongressWashington, DC 20542(800) 424-9100

Published quarterly. Cost: free. News andarticles of interest to persons with visual im-pairments.

0 & P AlmanacOrthotics & Prosthetics NationalOffice1650 King St., Suite 500Alexandria, VA 22314(703) 836-7114

Published monthly. Cost: $35.00 per year.This magazine for the Orthotics & Prostheticsprofessional contains articles on the latestdevelopments in products and services inthe industry.


OSERS News in PrintOffice of Special Education andRehabilitative ServicesU.S. Department of EducationWashington, DC 20202-2524(202) 732-1723

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Articles onrehabilitation programs supported by theDepartment of Education.

Occupational Therapy NewsThe American OccupationalTherapy Association, Inc.1383 Piccard DriveP. O. Box 1725Rockville, MD 20849-1725(301) 948-9626

Published monthly. Cost: $15.00 per year.News and articles of interest to occupationaltherapists and related personnel.

OnlineWest Virginia Research & Training

CenterOne Dunbar Plaza, Suite EDunbar, WV 25064(304) 766-7138

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Articles andnews updates for rehabilitation profession-als who use technology in their jobs.

Orthotics and ProstheticsAmerican Orthotic and ProstheticAssociation717 Pendleton StreetAlexandria, VA 22314(703) 846-7116

Reports of research, techniques in the field,advertisements and conference announce-ments.

PAM RepeaterPAM Assistance Center601 W. Maple StreetLansing, MI 48906(517) 371-5897

4111)Published approximately nine times a year.Cost: $10.00 membership fee for subscrip-tion. Articles of interest to persons with dis-abilities.

PalaestraThe Forum of Sport, PhysicalEducation, and Recreation for theDisabledChallenge PublicationsLtd., 549 Meadow DriveP. 0. Box 508Macomb, IL 61455(309) 833-1902

Published quarterly. Cost: $18.00 per year.A magazine of general interest to individualswith disabilities interested in sports, recre-ation, and leisure activities.

Paraplegia NewsParalyzed Veterans of America5201 North 19th AvenueSuite 111Phoenix, AZ 85015-2994(602) 246-9426

Published monthly. Cost: $12.00 per year.News, legislative updates and product ad-vertisements of interest to individuals withdisabilities.

Pin Dot NewsPin Dot Products3001 Gross Point RoadNiles, IL 60648-4027(800) 451-3553

Published twice a month. Cost: free. A newspublication for people interested in seatingand positioning of people with disabilities.

Positively SpeakingPRAB Command, Inc.5140 Sprinkle RoadKalamazoo, MI 49002(616) 383-4400

News and information on enhancingproductivity through technology.

121

Rehab USANational Rehabilitation Association633 South Washington StreetAlexandria, VA 22314-4193

Published Quarterly. Cost: Free to members.This magazine was created to facilitate therelationship between science and people,and to magnify the role of people in therehabilitation process.

RESNA NEWSRESNA Association for theAdvancement of RehabilitationTechnologySuite 1540Arlington, VA 22209-1903(703) 524-6686

Published quarterly. Cost: $25.00 per year.News and special articles of interest to indi-viduals working in the field of assistive tech-nology.

Rehabilitation DigestCanadian Rehabilitation Council forthe Disabled45 Sheppard AvenueSuite 801Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2N 5W9(416) 250-7490

Published quarterly. Cost: $16.00 per year.News related to government programs,medical research and other resources forpersons with disabilities.

Spinal Cord Injury LifeNational Spinal Cord InjuryAssociation600 West Cummings ParkSuite 2000, Woburn, MA 01801(617) 935-2722

Published quarterly. Cost: call for informa-tion. News of concern to persons with spinalcord injuries caused by trauma or disease.

REV.5/94

Spinal Cord Society NewsletterSpinal Cord SocietyWendell RoadFergus Falls, MN 56537(2181739-5252

Published monthly. Cost: $30.00 per year.Articles and medical research updates ofinterest to individuals with spinal cord inju-ries, their families and medical researchersworking in the area of spinal cord regenera-tion.

Sport and SpokesParalyzed Veterans of America5201 North 19th AvenueSuite 111Phoenix, AZ 85015-2994(6021246-9426

Published bi-monthly. Cost: $9.00 per year.News, product advertisements, announce-ments and articles of interest to individualswith disabilities interested in wheelchairsports and adaptive recreation.

Teaching Exceptional ChildrenCouncil for Exceptional Children1920 Association DriveReston, VA 2209 1 -1 589(7031620-3660

Published four times a year. Cost: $25.00. Amagazine for parents and teachers of chil-dren with developmental disabilities.

Team Rehab ReportMiramor Publishing Company6133 Bristol ParkwayCulver City, CA 90230(2131337-9717

Published bi-monthly. Cost: $24.00 per year.Articles and news items on assistive technol-

ogy-

TechniCableNC Assistive Technology Project1110 Navaho DriveSuite 101Raleigh, NC 27609(919) 850-2787

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Informationfor persons interested in assistive technol-ogy.


Technology UpdateSensory Aids Foundation399 Sherman AvenueSuite 12Palo Alto, CA 94306(4151329-0430

Published bi-monthly in print, large print andaudiocassette. Cost: $47.00 per year. Newsof technology devices to aid persons withvisual and hearing impairments.

USSAAC Newsletter (The)United States Society forAugmentative and AlternativeCommunicationMedical School Wing ECB# 7120UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC27599-7120(919) 966-2343

Published quarterly. Cost: free. Addressesthe communication needs of people who donot speak.

UpdateNational Library Service for the Blindand Physically HandicappedLibrary of CongressWashington, DC 20542(800) 424-8567

Published quarterly. Cost: free. News andarticles of interest to persons with visual im-pairments.

Window on TechnologyMinistry of Community and SocialServices12th Floor5140 Yonge Street North YorkOntario, Canada M2N 6L7(4161730-6470

Published 6 times per year. Cost: free. Anewsletter on assistive tec hnology for peopleworking in human service programs.

Word from WashingtonUnited Cerebral Palsy Association1522 K St. NWSuite 1112Washington, DC 20005(2021842-1266

Published monthly. Cost: $25.00 per year.Short news articles reporting on the legisla-tive activity in Congress with regard to dis-abilities.

The Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services (CR1S) Is part of the South Carolina Vocational RehabilitationDepartment. Support for this work has been provided through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilita-tion Research INIDRRI, U.S. Department of Education, Washington D.C. as part of the rehabilitation engineeringresearch center grant #H133E20002-93. Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the writers and shouldnot be construed to represent opinions or policies of NIDRR.




REFERENCEINFORMATION

.........

This Tech Reference Guide provides information on national organizations and associations with aninterest in rehabilitation technology and individuals with disabilities. Utilization of technology resources andservices has been recognized by many organizations and associations as an excellent resource. The

following is a representative listing of some of the national organizations and associations that have

developed specialized expertise in the application of technology to assist persons with disabilities.

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FORTHE BLIND (AFB)

National Technology Center15 West 16th StreetNew York, NY 10011212-620-2080

AMERICAN OCCUPATIONALTHERAPY ASSOCIATION (AOTA)

Box 17251383 Piccard DriveRockville, MD 20850301-948-9626

AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPYASSOCIATION

1111 North Fairfax StreetAlexandria, VA 22314703-684-2782

AMERICAN SPEECH AND HEARINGASSOCIATION (ASHA)

10801 Rockville PikeRockville, MD 20855301-897-5700

COUNCIL OF EXCEPTIONALCHILDREN (GEC)

Technology and Media Division(TAM)

Center for Technology in HumanDisabilities2301 Argonne DriveBaltimore, MD 21218301-554-3046

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FORAUGMENTATIVE ANDALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION(ISACC)

c/o Barry Romich1022 High RoadWooster, OH 44691216-262-1984

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFMEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS(NAMES)

625 Slaters Lane, Suite 200Alexandria, VA 22314703-836-6263

NATIONAL EASTER SEALSOCIETY

70 East Lake StreetChicago, IL 60601312-726-6200312-243-8888, TDD

NATIONAL REHABILITATIONASSOCIATION (NRA)

633 South Washington StreetAlexandria, VA 22314703-836-0850

PARALYZED VETERANS OFAMERICA

801 18th Street, NWWashington, DC 20006202-872-1300

123

PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ONEMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITHDISABILITIES

1111 20th Street, NW, Room 600Washington, DC 20036202-653-2088

RESNA, an Association for theAdvancement of Rehabilitationand Assistive Technology

1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 1540Arlington, VA 22209-1903703-524-6686703-524-6630 (fax)

UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY66 East 34th StreetNew York, NY 10016212-481-6300800-872-1827

The Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services(CRTS) is part of the South Carolina Vocational Reha-bilitation Department. Support for this work has beenprovided through the National Institute on Disabilityand Rehabilitation Research ( NIDRR), US. Depart-ment of Education, Washington D.C. as part of therehabilitation engineering research center grant#H133E20002-93. Opinions expressed In this paperare those of the writers and should not be construedto represent opinions or policies of NIDRR.

TECH REFERENCE INFORMATIONREV. 5/94


Employment and Independent LivingResourcesMERIESSEREEMEMBEMBEELMENEEMERIEMEMENEN

The following organizations represent some of the available resources which may be able to assist withrehabilitation technology-related concerns with employment and independent living activities.

American Foundation for the Blind15 West 16th StreetNew York, NY 10011(212) 620-2000(212) 727-7418 (fax)

An information and referral service for pro-grams and information on blindness.

American with Disabilities ActTechnical Assistance Manual,(Title 1)

Superintendent of DocumentsP.O. Box 371954Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954Order processing code 6196

American with Disabilities ActHandbook

Equal Employment OpportunityCommission and the U.S.Department of JusticeU.S. Government Printing OfficeSuperintendent of DocumentsMail Stop: SSOP

Washington, DC 20402-9328

American Institute ofArchitects (MA)

c/o Information Center1735 New York Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20006(202) 626-7493

Bibliographies of material on barrier-freedesign.

Architectural and TransportationBarriers - Compliance Board

1111 18th Street, NWSuite 501Washington, DC 20036-3894(800) 872-2253 (Voice/TOD)(202) 653-7848 (Voice/TOD)(Technical Services)

Association of Persons inSupported Employment (APSE)

50001 West Broad StreetSuite 34Richmond, VA 23230(804) 282-3655

Provides support and information to jobcoaches, enclave and mobile crewsupervisors, small business entrepreneurs,and program managers.

Innovations in Rural IndependentLiving

Research and Training Center onIndependent LivingInstitute for Life Span Studies4089 Dole Human DevelopmentCenterUniversity of KansasLawrence, KS 66049913-864-4095

124

Job Accommodation Network(JAN)

West Virginia University809 Allen HallP. O. Box 6123Morgantown, WV 26506(800) 526-7234(304) 293-7186(800) ADA-WORK(304) 293-5407 (fax)

JAN is an international information networkand consulting resource which provides in-formation about employment issues to em-ployers, rehabilitation professionals, andpersons with disabilities. Sponsored by thePresident's Committee on Employment ofPeople with Disabilities, the Network is oper-ated by West Virginia University Rehabilita-tion Research and Training Center. Printedmaterials are available free of charge.

Job Opportunities for the BlindNational Federation of the Blind1800 Johnson StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21230(301, 659-9314(800) 638-7518

JOB is a nationwide job listing and job refer-ral system of the NFB, a service availablewithout charge. Among JOB's 40+ free pub-lications are: Blind People at Work, andTechnical Assistance Guide for Employers.The Recorded Bulletin is sent to registeredapplicants and includes articles about ca-reers and employment, as well as job listing.


REV. 5/94

National Center on Employmentof the Deaf (NCED)

National Technical Institutefor the DeafRochester Institute ofTechnology (RIT)

One Lomb Memorial DriveRochester, NY 14623(716) 475-6834(716) 475-6205 (TDD)

NCED is designed to promote successfulemployment of RIT's deaf graduates and otherqualified deaf people nationwide. The Cen-ter offers a range of services to employers,professionals serving deaf persons, andqualified deaf persons. Staff members meetwith employers on compus and on site toassist in recruiting, hiring, accommodatingand promoting qualified deaf people. In-depth employer training programs are alsooffered.

National Council on IndependentLiving (NCIL)

310 South Peoria StreetSuite 201Chicago, IL 60607

Non-profit organizations designed to helpdisabled persons live as indendently as pos-sible.

National Organization on Disability(NOD)

910 16th NWSuite 600Washington, DC 20006(202) 293-5960 (Voice)(202) 293-5968 (TDD)

The National Organization on Disability oper-ates an information clearinghouse, directingpeople to resources that can answer theirspecific questions.


President's Committee onEmployment of People withDisabilities

1331 F Street, NWSuite 300Washington, DC 20004-1107(202) 376-6200 (Voice)(202) 376-6205 (TDD)(202) 376-6219 (fax)

Provides information, referral, and technicalassistance to employers as well as employ-ees with disabilities and other interested inthe employment of persons with disabilities,including information on tax incentives forbusiness, and rights and responsibilities ofemployers and employees.

U.S. Department of JusticeCiv0 Rights Division

Coordination & Review SectionP.O. Box 66118Washington, DC 20035-6118(202) 514-0301

125

The Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services ICRTS) is part of the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department. Support for this work has been provided throughthe National I nstitute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research INIDRR), U S. Department of Education, Washington D.C. as part of the rehabilitation engineering research centergrant #1-1133E20002-93. Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the writers and should not be construed to represent opinions or policies of NIDRR.

Center for Rehabilitation Technology ServicesSC Vocational Rehabilitation Department 1410-C Boston Ave. West Columbia, SC 29170


... .

Rehabilitation Technology ServicesProviders

Name Address Phone/fax Rehabilitation Technology Services

126

REV. 5/94



REERR,,,

This Tech Reference Guide provides information on Technology Related Assistance projects, hereafterreferred to as Tech Act Projects. The following states have been awarded Technology Related Assistancegrants. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) through P. L. 100-

407, Title I, the purpose of the projects is to develop and implement a consumer-responsive, comprehensivestatewide program of technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities.

Assistive Technologies of AlaskaDivision of VocationalRehabilitation400 D Street, Suite 230Anchorage, AK 99501800-770-0138907-274-0138, voice907-274-0517, TDD907-274-0516, FAX

Arkansas Increasing CapabilitiesAccess Network (CAN)

Department of Human Services2201 Brookwood, Suite 117Lithe Rock, AR 72202800-828-2799 (AR)501-666-8868, voice/TDD501-666-5319, FAX

Colorado AssistiveTechnology Project

Rocky Mountain Resource &Training Institute6355 Ward Road, Suite 310Arvada, CO 80004800-444-5669303-420-2942303-420-8675, FAX

Connecticut Bureau ofRehabilitation Services

10 Griffin Road NorthWindsor, CT 06095203-298-2014

Delaware AssistiveTechnology Initiative

Applied Science and EngineeringLaboratoriesUniversity of Delaware/A. I. DuPontInstitute1600 Rockland RoadWilmington, DE 19899302-651-6834, voice/TDD302-651-6895, FAX

Florida Department of Labor& Employment

Division of Vocational RehabilitationBureau of Client ServicesRehabilitation EngineeringTechnology1709-A Mahan DriveTallahassee, FL 32399-0696904-488-6210

Georgia Assistive TechnologyProgram

Department of Human ResourcesDivision of Rehabilitation Services878 Peachtree Street, NE, Room702Atlanta, GA 30309404-894-7593404-853-9059, FAX

Hawaii Assistive TechnologySystem (HATS)

Department of Human Services677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 403Honolulu, HI 96813808-532-7110808-599-5443, FAX

19,

Idaho Assistive Technology ProjectUniversity of Idaho

Idaho Center on DevelopmentalDisabilitiesProf. Building, 129 W. Third StreetMoscow Latah, ID 83843208-885-6849

Illinois Technology-RelatedAssistance Project

411 E. Adams StreetSpringfield, IL 62701800-852-5110 (IL)217-522-7985, voice/TDD217-522-8067, FAX

Indiana ATTAIN Project (AccessingTechnology Through Awareness inIndiana)

Department of Human ServicesTechnology Assistance UnitP. O. Box 7083Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083800-545-7763317-233-3394317-232-1240, FAX

Iowa Program for AssistiveTechnology ppm)

IA University Affiliated ProgramUniversity Hospital SchoolIowa City, IA 52242800-348-7193 (IA)319-353-6386, voice/TDD319-356-8284, FAX

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Kentucky Assistive TechnologyService (KATS) Network

Coordinating Center427 Versailles RoadFrankfort, KY 40601800-327-KATS (KY)502-564-4665502-564-3976, FAX

Louisiana Assistive TechnologyProject

State Planning Council onDevelopmental DisabilitiesDepartment of Health & HospitalsP. O. Box 3455 - BIN 14Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3455504-342-6804504-342-4419, FAX

Maine Consumer Information andTechnology Training Exchange(CITE)

Assistive Technology CoordinatingCenterUniversity of Maine at AugustaUniversity HeightsAugusta, ME 04330207-621-3195, voice/TDD207-621-3193, FAX

Maryland Technology AssistanceProgram (TAP)

Governor's Office forHandicapped Individuals300 W. Lexington Street1 Market Center, Box 10Baltimore, MD 21201410-333-4975410-333-6674, FAX

Massachusetts AssistiveTechnology Partnership (MAW)Center

Children's Hospital, Gardner 529300 Longwood AvenueBoston, MA 02115617-735-7820, voice617-735-7301, TDD617-735-6345, FAX

Michigan Department of EducationRehabilitation Services

P. O. Box 30010Lansing, MI 48909517-373-4058517-373-0565, FAX

Minnesota STAR ProgramGovernor's Advisory Council onTechnology for People withDisabilities300 Centennial Building685 Cedar StreetSt. Paul, MN 55155612-297-1554612-297-3698, FAX

Mississippi Project STARTDivision of Rehabilitation ServicesP.O. Box 1698Jackson, MS 39215601-354-6891601-354-6678, FAX

Missouri Assistive TechnologyProject

UMKC, School of Education5100 Rockhill RoadKansas City, MO 64110816-235-5337816-235-5270, FAX

MonTechRural Institute on Disabilities

The University of Montana52 Corbin HallMissoula, MT 59812800-732-0323406-243-4597, voice/TDD406-243-2349, FAX

Nebraska Assistive TechnologyProject

Department of Education301 Centennial SouthP. 0. Box 94987Lincoln, NE 68509-4987402-471-0735, voice/TDD402-471-2701, FAX

128


Nevada Assistive TechnologyProject

Rehabilitation Division, PRPD505 East King Street, Room 501Carson City, NV 89710702-687-4452, voice/TDD702-687-5980, FAX

New Hampshire TechnologyPartnership Project

Institute on Disability#14, Ten Ferry StreetThe Concord CenterConcord, NH 03301603-224-0630603-228-3270, FAX

New Jersey Department of LaborOffice of the Commissioner

Raymond L. Bramucci,CommissionerLabor Building, CN 110Trenton, NJ 08625609-292-3604

New Mexico Technology-RelatedAssistance Program (MMTAP)

Department of Education435 St. Michael Drive, Bldg. DSanta Fe, NM 87503800-866-ABLE (national voice/TDD)505-827-3533, voice/TDD505-827-3746, FAX

New York State TRAID ProjectOffice of Advocate for the DisabledOne Empire State Plaza, 10th FloorAlbany, NY 12223-0001800-522-4369 (NYS)518-474-2825, voice/TDD518-473-6005, FAX

North Carolina Assistive.Technology Project

Department of Human ResourcesDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation1110 Navaho Drive, Suite 101Raleigh, NC 27609919-850-2787, voice/TDD919-850-2792, FAX



Ohio Rehab Services CommissionDivision of Public Affairs400 E. Campus View BoulevardColumbus, OH 43235-4604614-438-1474

Oklahoma Department ofHuman Services

Rehabilitation Services DivisionDJS. RS # 24

P. 0. Box 25352Oklahoma City, OK 73125405-424-4311

Oregon Technology AccessThrough Life Needs (TALN)Project

Department of Human ResourcesVocational Rehabilitation Division2045 Silverton Road, NESalem, OR 97310503-378-3830, Ext. 386503-378-2756, FAX

Pennsylvania's Initiative onAssistive Technology (FIAT)

Institute on Disabilities/UAPTemple University13th Street & Cecil B. Moore AvenueRitter Hall Annex 433Philadelphia, PA 19122215-787-3861

South Carolina AssistiveTechnology Program

Vocational RehabilitationDepartmentP. O. Box 15

1410-C Boston AvenueWest Columbia, SC 29171-0015803-822-5404, voice/TDD803-822-4301, FAX

DakotalinkSouth Dakota Department ofHuman ServicesDivision of Rehabilitation ServicesKneip Building, 700 Governors DrivePierre, SD 57501605-773-3195


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Tennessee Technology AccessProject (TTAP)

Department of Mental Health &Mental RetardationDoctor's Building, Suite 300706 Church StreetNashville, TN 37243-0675615-741-7441615-741-0770, FAX

Texas Assistive TechnologyPartnership Project

The University of Texas at AustinUAP of Texas, Department ofSpecial EducationEDB 306

Austin, TX 78712512-471-7621

Utah Assistive TechnologyProgram

Utah State UniversityDevelopmental Center forHandicapped PersonsUMC 6855Logan, UT 84322-6800801-750-1982801-750-2044

Vermont Assistive TechnologyProject

Department of Aging andDisabilitiesAgency of Human Services103 South Main Street, WeeksBuilding, First FloorWaterbury, VT 05671-2350802-241-2620, voice/TDD802-241-3052, FAX

Virginia Assistive TechnologySystem (VATS)

Department of RehabilitativeServicesOffice of Planning4901 Fitzhugh AvenueP. 0. Box 11045Richmond, VA 23230800-552-5019804-367-2445/voice804-367-2445/TDD804-367-2440, FAX

West Virginia Assistive TechnologySystem

Division of Rehabilitation ServicesCapital ComplexCharleston, WV 25305-0890304-766-4698

Wisconsin Assistive TechnologyProgram (WisTech)

Division of Vocational RehabilitationP.O. Box 78521 W. Wilson Street, Room 950Madison, WI 53707608-267-6720, voice608-267-9599, TDD608-267-3657, FAX

Public Law 100-407, Title II, includes acontract with RESNA, an interdisciplinaryassociation for the advancement of re-habilitation and assistive technologies,to provide technical assistance togranted states of Public Law 100-407,Title I as described above. The technicalassistance provided includes aidinggranted states and others in reaching abetter understanding of consumer re-sponsiveness, systems change andfunding for assistive technology. In or-der to obtain these goals, the RESNATechnical Assistance Project holds train-ing sessions, produces information prod-ucts, publishes newsletter articles andholds teleconference sessions. TheRESNA TA Project can be contacted at the

address below.

RESNA TA Project1700 N. Moore Street, Suite 1540Arlington, VA 22209-1903703-524-6686703-524-6630 (FAX)

The Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services (CM)is part of the South Carolina Vocational RehabilitationDepartment. Support for this work has been providedthrough the National Institute on Disability and Reha-bilitation Research ( NIDRR), U.S. Department of Educa-tion, Washington D.C. as part of the rehabilitationengineering research center grant #H133E20002-93.Opinions expressed in this paper are those of thewriters and should not be construed to representopinions or policies of NIDRR.

441

a


Rehabilitation EngineeringResearch Centers

............

This Tech Reference Information Guide highlights selected resources related to Rehabilitation EngineeringResearch Centers. The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) supportsapproximately 15 rehabilitation engineering research centers covering a wide spectrum of technologyapplications for persons with disabilities. These centers are excellent resources for current information onresearch and development in rehabilitation engineering and the entire field of assistive technology. (Thecenters, formerly known as RECs, are now called RERCs in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, asamended in 1992.1

Adaptive Computers andInformation Systems

Gregg Vanderheiden, Ph.D.The University of Wisconsin750 University Ave.Madison, WI 53706(608) 262-6966(608) 262-8848 (fax)

Focus: Research will focus on assistingpeople with disabilities in activities of dailyliving; enhancing capacities for productionand access to information to help the dis-abled perform competitive work in the high-technology future; and increasing the avail-ability of affordable adaptations to com-mercial electronic information services.

Assistive Technology andEnvironmental Intervention forOlder Persons with Disabilities

William Mann, Ph.D.State University of New Yorkat Buffalo515 Kimball TowerBuffalo, NY 14214(716) 829-3141(716) 829-3217 (fax)

Focus: Current research projects involve:assessing the abilities and needs of olderpeople with disabilities and their caregivers;environmental design; and developing andevaluating assistive technology devices forretaining or regaining functions. The centeralso has three dissemination and utilizationprojects: assistive device training for older

people and their caregivers; professionaleducation for physicians, nurses, therapists,counselors, product developers and re-searchers; and reporting and technical as-sistance for consumers, service providersand researchers in the field.

Augmentative and AlternativeCommunication Devices

Richard Foulds, Ph.D.,Patrick Demasco, M.S.The University of Delaware/A.I. duPont InstituteP.O. Box 269Wilmington, DE 19899(302) 651-6830(302) 651-6895 (fax)

Focus: This center will develop corn munica-tion technology and facilitate the transfer ofthese devices into commercial production.Projects include: language facilitationthrough graphics and graphical animation;the application of natural language process-ing to MC; a prototype speech prosthesisfor filtering dysarthric speech; automaticdiphone extraction for individualized syn-thetic voices; and MC systems based onpersonal computers.

130

Employability for Persons withLow Back Pain

Malcolm Pope, Dr. Med. Sc., Ph.D.The University of VermontOne S. Prospect St.Burlington, VT 05401(802) 656-4582(802) 660-9243 (fax)

Focus: Among the center's intended out-comes are to: develop and test assistivedevices that will help people with low backpain remain on the job, create occupation-specific adaptations to allow people to re-turn to their old jobs, and establish occupa-tion-specific preventive measures to avoidlow back pain. The center will also test theeffectiveness of rehab engineering interven-tion for early return to work by employeeswith back injuries.

Hearing Enhancement andAssistive Devices

Harry Levitt, Ph.D.The Lexington Center Inc.30th Ave. and 75th St.Jackson Heights, NY 11370(718) 899-8800(718) 899-9846 (fax)

Focus: Research projects include develop-ment of: a prototype device for early detec-tion of hearing loss in infants; cost-effective,improved hearing aids and fitting systems;new types of hearing aids for people withsevere to profound hearing loss; job-sitemodifications for employees with hearing


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RFST COPY AVAILABLE

loss; improved hearing aid devices and pre-scriptive systems for older adults with hear-ing loss; devices to assist employers in meet-ing ADA requirements; and technological in-novations for people with both hearing lossand visual impairments.

Personal Licensed Transportationfor Disabled Persons

John Thacker, Ph.D.The University of VirginiaP.O. Box 1885University StationCharlottesville, VA 22903(804) 924-6294(804) 982-2037 (fax)

Focus: Ongoing projects include: establish-ing a lending library to identify and catalogvehicle safety, access and exit systems; as-sessing deficiencies in assistive technologyfor personal transportation; developing amethodologyfor checking device compliancewith existing federal and state standards;and creating a methodology for evaluatingequipment to be used when assessing indi-vidual needs for vehicle modification andadaptive equipment. The center is also de-vising methods to: evaluate vehicle accessand exit systems for safety and effective-ness; assess wheelchair tie-downs and oc-cupant restraint systems; and estimate thestructural integrity of modified vans.

Prosthetics and Orthotics

Dudley Childress, Ph.D.Northwestern University345 E. Superior St.Room 1441Chicago, IL 60611(312) 908-6502(312) 908-6526 (fax)

Focus: Ten projects are planned in three ar-eas: ambulation, mobilityand measurement;interface mechanics (tissue stresses) duringwalking, CAD/CAM assistance with upper-limb prosthesis design and socket materialsfor upper limb amputees; and manipulation,design and fabrication of a high-level ampu-tee upper-limb prosthesis.


Quantification of PhysicalPerformance

Sheldon Simon, M.D.The Ohio State UniversityN389 Doan Hall410 W. 10th St.

Columbus, OH 43210(614) 293-8710(614) 293-3596 (fax)

Focus: Projects include: assessingambulation motion parameters for evalua-tion and clinical decision-making; develop-ing a new technique for foot pressure mea-surement and assessing risk of foot ulcer-ation; establishing new diagnostictechniquesfor motion disorders; and developing anddisseminating a system for cerebral palsygait analysis for diagnosis and treatment.The center will also use virtual simulation todetermine environmental accessibility andwheelchair user proficiency, create a moresensitive test for low back pain, and developprotocols for ergonometric evaluation of in-dustrial jobs to comply with the Americanswith Disabilities Act (ADA).

Rehabilitation Technology Servicesin Vocational Rehabilitation

Anthony Langton, M.S.Center for RehabilitationTechnology ServicesSouth Carolina VocationalRehabilitation Department1410-C Boston Ave.West Columbia, SC 29170(803) 822-5362(803) 822-4301 (fax)

Focus: Studies are focusing on: a generalprofile of rehab technology services; clientassessment and evaluation practices; job re-sponsibilities of rehab engineers; links be-tween VR and other agencies in providingtechnology services; job success and tenurefor employees using assistive technology aidsand devices in the workplace; the efficacy ofcurrent approaches to the delivery of rehabtechnology services: a model "Tech Points'strategy to integrate technology in the rehabprocess; and the consumer's role in the deliv-ery of rehab technology services in the VRprocess.

X31

Robotics to Enhance theFunctioning of Individuals withDisabilities

Richard Foulds, Ph.D.,William Harwin, Ph.D.The University of Delaware/

duPont InstituteP.O. Box 269Wilmington, DE 19899(302) 651-6830(302) 651-6895 (fax)

Focus: Among the center's plans are increas-ing knowledge of the efficacy of rehabilita-tion robots, develop innovative solutions toimprove manipulation and mobility, and es-tablish criteria for the interface and control ofa powered upper extremity orthosis. Thecenter will also focus on assistive robotics ina vocational setting; develop and market ofrobot-aided science education environmentfor students with severe disabilities; investi-gate the use of a mobile robot in independentliving; and adapt a wheelchair-mounted ro-bot to a general environment.

Technological Aids forBlindness and Low Vision

Arthur Jampolsky, M.D.,John Brabyn, Ph.D.Smith-Kettlewell Eye ResearchInstitute2232 Webster St.San Francisco, CA 94155(415) 561-1619(415) 561-1610 (fax)

Focus: Projects include: clinical field trial ofa photo refractive vision screener for earlydetection of visual impairment in infants;design of a low-cost, ten-message voice re-corder for non-vocal people; a new nystag-mus tester for early detection of disruptedbinocular vision; a study on alternate occlu-sion as an early rehabilitative technique; thestudy of a reader for the universal productcode; a design to improve computer graph-ics and broil le text access; and improvementsto consumer products for universal design.



Technology Evaluation andTransfer

Joseph Lane, M.B.P.A.,William Mann, Ph.D.State University of New Yorkat Buffalo515 Kimball TowerBuffalo, NY 14214(716) 829-3141(716) 829-3217 (fax)

Focus: Focus is on direct technology evalu-ation and transfer of new devices, with 5-10devices expected to be commercialized eachyear. The overall plan stresses developmentof an ongoing business primarily operatedby disabled consumers. Proposed activitiesinclude a multiphased evaluation, need sur-vey and market research. Interdisciplinaryteam research is planned involving univer-sity engineering with technology applicationtrials by participating consumer groups, in-cluding a research and development group.

Technology for Children withOrthopedic Disabilities

Mark Hoffer, M.D.,Donald McNeal, Ph.D.Ranchos Los Amigos MedicalCenter12841 Dahlia St., Building 306Los Amigos StationP.O. Box 3500Downey, CA 90242(310) 940-7994(310) 803- 6117(fax)

Focus: Projects include a biomechanicalstudy to improve grip in children's terminaldevices; a lightweight, cosmetic, articulatingankle-foot orthosis; orthotic management ofcongenitally dislocated hips; advancecontracture reduction orthosis; assistive tech-nology usage outcome; and cognitive pre-dictors of successful powered wheelchaircontrol with the very young child. The centeris also involved in determining the appropri-ateness of integrated control of assistivedevices; mainstreaming children withassistive technology into general education;developing a consumer's guide to fundingassistive technology; and creating resourcematerials for assistive technology laborato-ries.

Technology to ImproveWheelchair Mobility

Douglas Hobson, Ph.D.,Clifford Brubaker, Ph.D.The University of Pittsburgh107 Pennsylvania HallPittsburgh, PA 15261(412) 826-3138(412) 826-3143 (fax)

Focus: Seventeen projects are proposed inwheeled mobility, seating and transporta-tion. These include: developing more appro-priate prescription practices; evaluating cush-ion technologies; examining the systematicmeasurement of changes in spinal defor-mity; focusing on the development ofsecurement and transport of wheelchairs;and gathering information to develop stan-dards.

Worksite Modifications andAccommodations

John Leslie, Jr., Ph.D.Cerebral Palsy ResearchFoundation of Kansas2021 N. Old ManorBox 8217-0217Wichita, KS 67208(316) 688-1888(316) 688-5687 (fax)

Focus: The center will create a user-friendlyPC computer system to guide full use ofrehabilitation technology, and develop a par-ticipatory worksite accommodation processthrough assessment, design and evaluationthat could provide a standard for undue hard-ship determination. Also planned is a multi-media workstation design for inspection andcontrol tasks.

For further information, contact the resources listed, or the Center for Rehabilita-tion Technology Services. Information for this resource guide was taken from TheNext Wave of Rehab Technology", Guy Hammer, BSEE, Team RehabilitationReport, September 1993.

The Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services ICRTSI is part of the South Carolina Vocational RehabilitationDepartment. Support for this work has been provided through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilita-tion Research (NIDRRI, US. Department of Education, Washington D.C. as part of the rehabilitation engineeringresearch center grant #H133E20002-93. Opinions expressed in this paper are those of the writers and shouldnot be construed to represent opinions or policies of NIDRR.

Center (or Rehabilitation Technology Services

132

SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department 1410-C Boston Ave. West Columbia, SC 29170 0.)


Need for training

Do I Need Training? You bet! TECH POINTS is primarily a trainingstrategy for vocational rehabilitation staff on effective ways to inte-grate technology. Effective use of rehabilitation technology re-sources and services require an agency-wide training initiative.Training is critical because most VR staff have had little or no realexposure to rehabilitation technology in their pre-service training.TECH POINTS is only one aspect of what is needed.

Agencies will need to implement training for all staff involved withrehabilitation technology. This would include rehabilitation counse-lors, vocational evaluators, supervisory and management person-nel, quality assurance staff, rehabilitation technology specialistsand others. Field staff should receive training on various applica-tions of rehabilitation technology on a planned, ongoing basis.

The TECH POINTS Training Manual and TECH POINTS Guideare designed to be implemented with a minimum of one day oftraining. Although the manual is a self-study training resource,participation in the initial training is essential.

Some considerations for staff development and training shouldinclude

closely linking any technology-related case service expecta-tions with training activities,

offering regional and statewide training on technology-re-lated topics,

incorporating technology training as a regular part of all newemployee orientation,

encouraging periodic in-service training sessions on technol-ogy concerns at the office level,

and offering more in depth training for any counselors whoare designated as "technology specialists".

Rehabilitation technology specialists in the VR agency or thoseunder contract to provide technology services should be included inthe training activities whenever possible.

1 3TECH POINTS Integrating Rehabilitation echnology into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

11 Case Studies SECTION 14

134


In this section

Case Studies...........................



Series of Successful Closures Through Use of Technology

Other Case Study Information


Injured in an automobile accident in 1986 on her way home fromwork, GL was soon confronted with questions she had never consid-ered and a confusing array of decisions and options. Facing thischallenge was made easier thanks in part to intervention from hercounselor with the VR Department and the availability of technologyresources and services. As with most people who suddenly findthemselves disabled, GL knew little about quadriplegia and evenless about what we now refer to as assistive technology.

In many ways GL's situation is typical of people served by voca-tional rehabilitation agencies. Could she return to her previous jobas an office manager? Could she live independently? These werequestions without easy answers. When she was referred to VR lessthan three months following her accident, GL admittedly was fearfulof assistive technology and uncertain about what she could do.


14-1

SECTION 14

14 -2

Referral/Applicant

Identifies rehabilitation

technology needs

assists in accurately estimating

vocational potential

Evaluation/Assessment Aidentifies reasonable

accommodations which could

be needed in vocational

evaluation

describes what rehabilitation

technology assessments could

provide

In her case, access to technology resources and services helpedpave the way to retraining and a successful return to work.

Throughout her rehabilitation process, assistive technology wasused as an important "tool" in regaining functional capacity, explor-ing new options and achieving independence. Decisions on whattechnology to consider were made jointly by GL and her vocationalrehabilitation counselor. This use of technology occurred at most ofthe TECH POINTS that have been identified in the TECH POINTSmodel and illustratesthe importance of utilizing technologythrough-out the rehabilitation process.

Referral (TECH POINT 1)

Since GL had been involved with therapists at her rehabilitationhospital, prescriptions for wheelchairs (power and manual) werealready in process at the time of referral. The private insurancecompany had agreed to limited funding on a power chair, and,unfortunately, a compromise had been made because of funding.This would later result in compatibility problems with positioning andtie-downs for vehicle adaptations.

When additional factors such as transportation were considered,the power chair purchased by the insurance company did not meetGL's needs. To a VR counselor working within budget constraints, a"technology team" approach could save additional expenditures.

Although GL had lived independently prior to the accident, theneed for attendant care and accessibility issues dictated that shereturn to live with her family. It became immediately apparent thattheir mobile home would need adaptations.

Extended Evaluation (TECH POINT 2)

The plan for extended evaluation was written to assist with homemodifications . A visit was made to her living site by the VR counselorand an occupational therapist from the hospital to determine neededhome accommodations. Changes necessary included ramping,providing access to the bedroom and bathroom, bathroom equip-ment, grooming aids and adaptive devices for use in the kitchen.Further equipment needs for increasing her independence wereidentified that included both low tech and high tech" solutions. Anelectric hospital bed with adapted switch controls and a number ofADL items such as button hooks, reachers, dressing aids and otheritems were identified.

136TECH POINTS integrating Rehabilitation Technology into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Her family was very resourceful in making most of the low tech"modifications such as controls for the stove. Funding was coordi-nated from several sources including insurance, VR, family andfriends.

Evaluation for driving and identification of vehicle adaptationsnecessary were also completed at this stage. Vehicle consider-ations were provided through a VR specialist in van conversion. Itwas found that the power wheelchair that had been purchased byher insurance company presented problems when adaptive con-trols for the van was being considered. At this point GL stated, I wasnot ready to deal with adaptive driving,- and, therefore, elected tohave only a wheelchair lift installed.

Eventually GL adapted her van for driving and obtained herlicense, but not until after she became employed. VR assisted her inadaptive driving equipment so she could use her van independently.

Plan Development/IWRP (TECH POINT 3)

After modification to GL's van and home, Glwas readyto enter theplan development phase. GL decided to return to her previousemployer to help determine her ability to work and if she couldtolerate a full day. Her employer was more than willing to accommo-date. GL, therefore, worked briefly in telemarketing. Counseling,guidance and other goals were identified to assist GL. A head-setwas the only job modification needed for the telemarketing position.GL and her VR counselor discussed that this work experience wouldhelp her identify if additional training would be needed to help herreach vocational independence.

Counseling GuidanceTraining /Physical Restoration Services (TECH POINT 4)

GL briefly worked in the telemarketing position. She needed todetermine how difficult work would be from a powered chair. Shealso realized that additional training would be needed to upgradeemployment if she was to become self-supporting. It was after thisbrief experience that GL felt she was ready for additional vocationalevaluation. This evaluation included the rehabilitation engineer withthe VR department.

A decision to enter a computer training program was made. Forthis she moved into the training center's dormitory in August 1987.Assistance with hand splints from an occupational therapist and


14-3

Planning

shows how to include

technology resources and

services into IWRPs

Services Aexplores need

for rehabilitaiton technology

support for planned services

such as physical restoration

and training

Placement

addresses work site accommo-

dation needs

includes rehabilitation technol-

ogy resources in job-develop-

ment

Closure Outcomes

monitors any exit point from

VR services

documents consideration and

use of rehabilitation technology

could be used to monitor Order

of. Selection decisions

Post-Employment Areviews need for rehabilitation

technology to maintain employ-

ment

minor keyboard modifications from the rehabilitation engineer tookcare of immediate technology needs.

Follow-up during training indicated a need for a seating consulta-tion from the rehabilitation engineer. Adaptations for independentliving activities in her dormitory were addressed. GL also was inter-ested in adaptive clothing, and was provided information andcontacts on who could answer these important questions.

Placement (TECH POINT 5)

A position was identified with a community bank as a computerprogrammer. GL applied for and obtained the job in July1989. GLconsulted with her VR counselor and the rehabilitation engineer assoon as an offer of employment was extended. A survey wascompleted of her working environment and the issues of access forentering a secure work area, workstation accommodation andbathroom modification were addressed. With consultation andrecommendations from the VR counselor and rehabilitation engi-neer, the bank was willing to make the needed recommendations.

In July1990, GL had her van modified. She was now able to driveindependently.

Closure (TECH POINT 6)

Close follow-up to ensure GL was meeting job expectations and"essential functions" of the job was provided by her VR counselor. Atthe time of closure GL and her employer were extremely satisfiedwith her performance.

Post Employment (TECH POINT 7)

After working for about eight months, GL began asking questionsabout apartment adaptations. She mainly wanted to be sure that inlooking for independent living she was asking the right questions.

She also asked about the appropriateness of her present typingsplints as they had broken. The rehabilitation engineer was con-sulted, and it-was decided that GL have extra splints made by anoccupational therapist. These would serve as back-up should asplint break. The VR counselor and GL did not feel post-employmentServices were needed for this purpose.

138


GL's case history is typical of VR procedures for people who needassistive technology. GL stated that "a person with a disability isdependent on their counselor for information on what technologycould do to help with independence and being able to go back towork." She added that without her counselor knowing technologyresources, she might not have been able to have it all work out aswell.



The following accommodations are extracted from The Ameri-cans with Disabilities Act: Making The ADA Work for You MiltWright & Associates, Inc. and Jackson, Lewis, Schnitz ler & Krupman

Copyright 1990. As they are reviewed, it should be noted that theywere actual job accommodations; however, they are accommoda-tions which could be considered for any TECH POINT.

A plant worker who was hearing impaired was able to use atelephone amplifier designed to work in conjunction with hearingaids, allowing him to retain his job and not be transferred to a lower-paying job within the company. Cost: $85

A clerk with limited use of her hands was provided with a "LazySusan" file folder for her desk. This prevented her from having toreach across her desk and allowed her to remain in her job asbefore. Cost: $85

An individual with the use of only one hand needed to be able touse a camera as part of his job. A tripod had proven to be toocumbersome. By providing a waist pod (such as is used in carryingflags), he was able to manipulate the camera and keep his job.Cost: $50

A seamstress diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome dueto repetitive wrist motion purchased a pair of spring-loaded, ergo-nomically designed scissors. Cost: $19.95

A desk layout was changed from the right to the left side for avisually impaired data entry operator. Cost: $0

An individual with an eye disorder where glare on the computerscreen caused increased fatigue was accommodated by the pur-chase of an anti-glare screen to minimize the glare. Cost: $39

A receptionist who was blind was provided a light-probe whichallowed her to determine which lines on the telephone were ringing,on hold, or in use. Cost: $45

A light was installed at the door of a company to alert the securityguard of an approaching employee who used a wheelchair andneeded assistance with the high-security door. Cost: $0

A headset for a phone was rented that allowed an insurancesalesperson with cerebral palsy to write while talking. Cost $49.95

140


A one-handed individual working in a food service position wasable to perform all of the tasks in her position except opening cans.A one-handed can opener enabled her to perform that one remain-ing task. Cost: $35

A groundskeeper who had recovered from a stroke had limiteduse of one arm and needed to be able to rake grass to maintain hisposition. The use of a detachable extension arm on the rake allowedhim to grasp the handle on the extension with the affected hand andcontrol the rake with his functional arm. Cost: $19.80

A timer with an indicator light allowed a medical technician whowas deaf the capability of performing the laboratory tests requiredof her. Cost: $26.95

A person who used a wheelchair could not use the furniture in theoffice provided for her because the desk height was too low for thewheelchair to fit into it. Raising the desk with wood blocks allowedthe proper amount of space for the wheelchair to fit in, thus savingthe expense of purchasing a special desk. Cost: $0

An individual with dyslexia working as a police officer had troublefilling out forms at the end of the day. Providing him with a taperecorder and allowing a secretary to type out his reports allowedhim to continue his job. Cost: $30 - $69


14-81

V Series of Successful Closures Through Use ofTechnology

The following case study examples of technology interventionsand their role in successfully placing individuals on jobs were takenfrom the VoRTECHS newsletter. VoRTECHS is published quarterly bythe Center for Rehabilitation Technology Services.

1 4 2


WAS

Isss,e:

Modifications for Working inthe Library

Greg McGrew, Rehabilitation Engineer, SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department

J is a 36 year old who has moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy. He.11. currently works as a librarian assistant at a small college thanks

to the help of a custom assistive device. This device allows him to performhis work in an accurate and proficient manner.

J.H. is able to walk but has difficulty with his balance due to spasticityand spinal curvature. Reflex activity also makes it difficult forhim to use his hands and arms for fine motor tasks. He oftenmust compensate for this problem by using two hands tostabilize tools and work pieces that would normally onlyrequire one hand to use.

When J.H. started his job in the library, his VR counselorfound that the set of tasks involved in performing the job weretoo difficult for him to do in a timely manner. His jobincluded taking new books and installing labels on thespines. It was very difficult for J.H. to get labelson straight without wrinkles and bubblesunder the tape. An evaluation by therehabilitation engineer revealed that the s

demands of this task meant that J.H. couldperform the job only if both hands were free \\\to manipulate the tape and labels when applyingthem to the book spine. This suggested the need forsome simple device to hold the book for J.H.H. This device

z

14-9

This device uses a spring-loadedplate to support the book in astable, spine-up position. Thisdevice allows J.H. to use bothhands when applying labels. Thebook holder is made of aluminumplates which "sandwich" pieces ofTEFLON, allowing them to slidefreely. This, in conjunction with theangled design of the holding plates,allows J.H. to easily slide in booksof a wide variety of thicknesses,using one hand. J.H. was alsosupplied with a Dycem-coatedwork surface which helped keepwork items from sliding when laidflat.

J.H. has worked with the libraryfor over a year now. He continuesto use the custom designed bookholder to perform his job everyday. *

Book

would have to hold the book in a stable position that wouldallow him to accurately install the book labels on a variety of sizesof books. It would also have to be easy to place the books in and out ofthe book holder. These design criteria led to the construction of the bookholder shown in the picture.


Aluminum platesthat hold thebook.

1'111;161.--.0

Spring-loadedTEFLON plate thatsupports thebook

Wooden base

14-10

The Counselor and Client:Achieving Together

Lillian Ackley and Robert KennedyPennsylvania Blindness and Visual Services

'Ns\ if.1

Ass;v.'s\

After retiring from a 24-year career as an executivesecretary at a local medical centers Lillian Ackley wasenjoying life very much. She worked two part-time jobswhich she loved, one as a feature writer for the county'slargest daily newspaper, and the other as an employee ofan economic development agency. All of that changedwhen she lost her vision during treatment fora pituitarytumor, The following is Lillian's account of her journeyback into the world of work

Two years ago I was plunged into the world of the blind during two

operations to remove a pituitary tumor. The social worker at themedical center referred me to Pennsylvania Blindness and Visual Services

(BVS). My counselor, Robert Kennedy, explored my thoughts about my

future. Since I was 65 years old, it would seem that retirement would be a

satisfactory plan. However, I was not ready for that, so Mr. Kennedy worked

out a plan more to my liking. BVS sent me to the Greater Pittsburgh Guild

for the Blind. There I was enrolled in the Personal Adjustment program

which included training in touch-typing and computer skills using adaptive

equipment.144

Upon completion of the basicGuild program, I was accepted fortheir Access Technology Centerwhich provided intensive, moreadvanced training in computer use.It was recommended that I have anIBM-compatible computer with amodem and telecommunicationsystem, Vert Plus speech softwarewith a DECtalk synthesizer, and aclosed circuit television for minimalreading and bookkeeping tasks. Allitems of equipment recommendedfor me by the Guild were providedby BVS, through contributions fromlocal and regional Lions Clubs.

I was offered a position asadministrative assistant with theRural Development Administration(RDA). The equipment provided byBVS was adequate to meet theneeds of the new position.However, there were someproblems with the speech software.BVS arranged for Brenda Loughrey,

my instructor at the AccessTechnology Center, to come in for aworksite assessment. She installed anew speech system furnished by theoriginal supplier and she providedadditional training for my newposition.

Since beginning my job we havefound a need for a scanner (opticalcharacter reader) which wasprovided by the FederalGovernment, a recording device towork with the government's digitaltelephone system, and a twochannel headset.

The use of technology in helpingthe disabled to a level playing fieldin the real world of employment


must be a continuing process. Mr. Kennedy has worked with the RDAInformation Resource Manager and the engineers to provide additional support.

The Counselor's CommentsThe case of Lillian Ackley demonstrated persistence in pursuit of a

vocational goal and in resolving the inevitable frustrations that occur infinding the right mix of technology and technique to achieve practicalresults.

This unconventional lady brought to the process a valuable networkof contacts, a strong work history and ethic, computer experiencebefore losing her sight, and extraordinary motivation to return to workat her age. This counselor's role was often that of "getting out of herway."

Options and alternatives available through the VocationalRehabilitation process were discussed, and she readily chose thoseservices needed to meet her goals. She had the advantage of hands-ondemonstration of various types of equipment and training at aresidential center. Local service clubs contributed financially in theform of "comparable benefits" for adaptive equipment. She also hadthe good fortune of a supportive, understanding employer whoappreciated the skills and expertise she brought to the organization.Simply put, she is able to help meet the employer's needs.

For this counselor, Lillian's case reinforced the need for ongoingproblem-solving when working with technology. Also important isdefining the problem objectively, preferably in writing, so that allparties can reach a consensus on what needs to be donewhere wewant to go. This makes "how" we go about it more focused. In thiscase, a combination of high technology and low technology solutionsseems to have worked.

Her achievements are an inspiration the human spirit dealingwith loss/adversity. *


145

14-11

14-12

I

sz.

, sv.

Adapted Cooking Utensils in aResturant Setting

Glenn Hedman, Rehabilitation Engineer, University of Illinois at Chicago.

K. eith is an individual who is mentally retarded and works at acommunity agency in a workshop setting. In an effort totransition Keith to competitive employment, his vocational

evaluator placed him in a local fast food restaurant. Initially his dutiesincluded clean-up of the storage area. Later they were increased to assist incooking hamburgers at the grill and relish station. The owner agreed to atrial period at the grill but was reluctant as Keith had shown some anxietyregarding the heat generated by the grill.

The vocational evaluator requested a worksite modification evaluationfrom the Assistive Technology Unit at the University of Illinois at Chicago'sUAP. The evaluation resulted in identifying three problems: the position ofthe client's hand relative to the hot grill surface during the cooking of

burgers and bacon, the amount of seasoning applied toburgers while cooking and the stability of the

client's hand while scraping the grill surface aftereach batch of burgers and bacon had been

cooked.The first problem was solved bymodifying a stainless steel spatula to

give Keith a surface to holdapproximately 2" farther from the

grill. Stainless steel tubing andend fittings usually used for

handrail applications wereused to modify the

spatula. This adaptivehandle was clamped

FIGURE A

146

to the spatula's wooden handlewith stainless steel screws, nutsand washers, as shown in FigureA.

To regulate the amount ofseasoning applied to the burgers, aseasoning shaker was adapted. Aone-inch diameter disk wasinstalled on the perforated cover ofthe shaker to block some of theholes and reduce the amount ofseasoning coming out during eachshake.

The single blade of the scraperdid not provide much stability andan additional point of support forthe utensil was needed. The onlysurface that would not damage thegrill surface was that of anotherscraper blade. The handle ofanother scraper was shortened andwas bolted underneath the originalscraper. The scrapers wereseparated enough to provideproper angling of the blade withrespect to the grill surface, therebymaking it a more stable utensil forKeith to use.

With the owner confident ofKeith's cooking abilities during hisafternoon shift, he plans toincrease his work hours to includea few evening shifts each week. *


jL

Help Me Find A Way!By Judith Hughes, CRCSouth Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department

"Please help me, I want to style hair.I'm willing to stand on my head if

that's the only way to do it!"

When a VR counselor hears a client make a statement thisemphatic, even in a joking manner, you have to believe thatthis individual is serious about not considering other vocational

choices. But what does a counselor do when the client's disability involvessevere injuries to the feet and ankles caused by a fall?

This client had received a vocational evaluation. Listed among herfunctional limitations was the inability to stand or walk for long periods oftime. Her only work history involved working as a successful hair stylist. Thevocational options considered were sales of cosmetic and beauty supplies,instructor in a beauty school, manicurist, etc. However, this individualneeded at least a GED to consider many of these options. She tried for ashort period to make efforts toward these goals but found her interest andconcentration hard to channel.

This client was concerned about long term goals as she was a singleparent of two small children. She had therapy and several surgicalprocedures during the first year after her injury and had becomeoverwhelmed with the idea of these long term goals.

Without promises that her goal of returning to hair styling would work,the client and counselor decided to discuss her dilemma with therehabilitation engineer to see if there might be a way that a hair stylist couldsit and still reach her customer. Research into various beauty supply


14-13

products resulted in finding "anew, unique product designed toextend your career!" This productwas called a ROLSEAT. Thestool-type seat on rollers allowsthe user to move easily and freelyaround the customer while restingon the stool. The ROLSEATattaches to the shaft of the salonchair so that the hair stylist isclose to the customer whilemoving around to all sides. Aperfect solution for this client!

Other modifications were madefor this individual as it wasnecessary to try to minimize anystrain on her ankles. For instance,a power hydraulic base waspurchased for her salon chair toeliminate the pumping action shehad to do with her ankles.Other minor modificationsincluded a rubber mat to decreasethe impact of standing andwalking on a concrete floor and acart with wheels to keep hersupplies close to her. This clientstill must pace herself in the worksetting, but she is doing exactlywhat she wanted to do. In thefuture she plans to complete herGED and to pursue othervocational options. *

14-14

148


TECHNICALLYSPEAKING

Gerald Weisman, M.S.

Vermont Rehabilitation Engineering Center

Manual Material Handling:Accommodating Workers forPushing Tasks

People with back pain oftenrequire workplace

accommodations for performingmaterial handling tasks. Materialhandling may include lifting,carrying, pulling and pushing.Appropriate accommodationscan often help prevent backinjuries on the job.

Adding a powered unit to amanually-operated cart can greatlyreduce or eliminate the amount ofpushing force required. Peoplewith functional limitations thatprevent them from applyingsufficient pushing force can thenperform many material-handlingtasks. This kind of modification canalso help minimize risk of backinjury among other workers.

A tape reel cart was modifiedwith a simple power unit consistingof the front wheel drive and steeringcolumn from an Amigo wheelchair.Two bushings were fabricated andmounted to the back of the cart


14-15

with welded angle iron brackets.The steering column was supportedand free to rotate in the bushings asshown in the figure below. Abattery, mounted to the lowest shelfof the cart, supplies power; fingercontrols mounted on the handlebarscontrol the motor, and thehandlebars are used for steering.

These modified carts areextremely useful when poweredcarts are unavailable orinappropriate and when materialup to 500 pounds has to be movedon level surfaces or on ramps forlongdistances. *

Modified Tape Reel Cart

149

HandleBars

FingerControls

SteeringColumn

14-16

V Other Case Study Information

ci

El

CI

Notes:

150TECH POINTS Integrating Rehabilitation Technology Into Vocational Rehabilitation Services

11 TECH POINTS Guide SECTION 15

151


TECH POINTSECTION 15Reference Guide


152

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re b

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age

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ing

1994

. Fie

ld te

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bei

ng c

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as

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the

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indi

ngs

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the

rese

arch

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avai

labl

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ing

1997

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mis

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tiliz

e th

e T

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CH

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ater

ials

sho

uld

be o

btai

ned

from

the

Cen

ter

for

Reh

abili

tatio

n

Tec

hnol

ogy

Ser

vice

s.

6

Fun

ding

for

this

pro

ject

has

bee

n pr

ovid

ed b

y th

e N

atio

nal I

nstit

ute

on D

isab

ility

and

Reh

abili

tatio

n R

esea

rch

(NID

RR

I, U

.S. D

ept o

f Edu

catio

n G

rant

# H

133

E20

002-

94.

Opi

nion

s ex

pres

sed

in th

e T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

Gui

de a

ndT

EC

H P

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Tra

inin

g M

anua

l are

thos

e of

the

auth

ors

and

shou

ld n

ot b

e co

nstr

ued

to r

epre

sent

opi

nion

s or

pol

icie

s of

NID

RR

or

the

Sou

th C

arol

ina

Voc

atio

nal R

ehab

ilita

tion

Dep

artm

ent.

9/95

Intr

oduc

tion

TE

CH

PO

INT

S is

a r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy m

anag

emen

t and

trai

ning

str

ateg

y de

velo

ped

for

voca

tiona

l reh

abili

tatio

n (V

R)

agen

cies

. TE

CH

PO

INT

Spr

ovid

es v

ocat

iona

l reh

abili

tatio

n co

unse

lors

and

oth

er s

taff

with

an

easy

to fo

llow

ref

eren

ce to

hel

p de

term

ine

whe

n an

d ho

w to

use

reh

abili

tatio

nte

chno

logy

with

indi

vidu

al c

lient

s.

Inte

grat

ing

the

cons

ider

atio

n of

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

thro

ugho

ut th

e vo

catio

nal r

ehab

ilita

tion

proc

ess

is n

eces

sary

in w

orki

ng w

ith in

divi

dual

s w

ithse

vere

dis

abili

ties

who

hav

e co

mpl

ex te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

nee

ds. T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

als

o en

able

s co

unse

lors

and

oth

erre

habi

litat

ion

staf

f to

effe

ctiv

ely

revi

ew p

ossi

ble

tech

nolo

gy n

eeds

for

anyo

ne, i

nclu

ding

thos

e w

ho m

ay n

ot b

e ob

viou

s ca

ndid

ates

for

assi

stiv

e te

chno

logy

.

The

TE

CH

PO

INT

S a

ppro

ach

will

:

help

you

get

sta

rted

give

idea

s on

how

to r

egul

arly

con

side

r te

chno

logy

opt

ions

sugg

est q

uest

ions

to a

sk

orga

nize

how

to a

ppro

ach

tech

nolo

gy u

se fo

r V

R c

lient

she

lp in

det

erm

inin

g w

hen

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces

may

be

need

ed

help

to e

nsur

e th

at e

xpen

ditu

res

for

tech

nolo

gy r

elat

ed d

evic

es a

re a

ppro

pria

te

As

with

all

voca

tiona

l reh

abili

tatio

n se

rvic

es, t

he u

se o

f tec

hnol

ogy

shou

ld b

e in

divi

dual

ly p

lann

ed a

nd m

atch

ed w

ith th

e ne

eds

and

capa

bilit

ies

of th

epe

rson

. Thi

s re

quire

s a

basi

c kn

owle

dge

of r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

and

ser

vice

s, a

nd a

logi

cal s

trat

egy

to fo

llow

to m

ake

tech

nolo

gy

cons

ider

atio

n an

inte

gral

par

t of v

ocat

iona

l reh

abili

tatio

n se

rvic

es.

TE

CH

PO

INT

S

Util

izin

g a

serie

s of

poi

nts

at c

ritic

al ju

nctu

res

in th

e re

habi

litat

ion

proc

ess,

TE

CH

PO

INT

S p

rovi

des

the

reha

bilit

atio

n co

unse

lor

with

a s

trat

egy

to a

id in

dete

rmin

ing

if so

me

type

of t

echn

olog

y sh

ould

be

cons

ider

ed. T

he s

even

TE

CH

PO

INT

S a

re p

art o

f a c

ontin

uous

pro

cess

whi

ch lo

oks

at p

oten

tial

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

nee

ds a

pro

spec

tive

indi

vidu

al m

ight

hav

e an

d th

en s

yste

mat

ical

ly fo

llow

s th

at in

divi

dual

thro

ugho

ut th

eir

reha

bilit

atio

npr

oces

s. T

hese

"po

ints

" co

inci

de w

ith c

ase

serv

ice

stat

us ta

sks

and

activ

ities

that

exi

st in

som

e fo

rm in

all

VR

age

ncie

s(S

ee p

age

2 fo

r an

illu

stra

tion

of

whe

re T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

are

loca

ted

in th

e V

R p

roce

ss).

TE

CH

PO

INT

S w

ill h

elp

coun

selo

rs to

dec

ide

if te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

sol

utio

ns to

cha

lleng

es a

nd p

robl

ems

wou

ld b

e ap

prop

riate

. Tec

hnol

ogy

inte

rven

tions

can

be h

elpf

ul in

sol

ving

som

e of

the

prob

lem

s an

d co

ncer

ns w

hich

man

y in

divi

dual

sfa

ce. R

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy, h

owev

er, i

s on

ly o

ne to

ol o

r

reso

urce

that

a c

ouns

elor

may

nee

d to

util

ize.

The

re a

re n

o ea

sy s

olut

ions

to m

any

of th

e is

sues

that

indi

vidu

als

face

in s

eeki

ng m

eani

ngfu

l em

ploy

men

t

oppo

rtun

ities

. TE

CH

PO

INT

S w

ill h

elp

by s

yste

mat

ical

ly c

onsi

derin

g th

e ne

ed fo

r te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

ser

vice

s by

firs

t loo

king

att

he in

divi

dual

, env

ironm

ents

whe

re th

e in

divi

dual

is li

kely

to fu

nctio

n, a

nd th

en s

peci

fic ta

sks

and

activ

ities

that

wou

ld b

e re

quire

d.

15'7

TE

CH

PO

INT

SG

uide

1

158

TE

CH

PO

INT

S is

des

igne

d to

wor

k w

ith e

xist

ing

form

s an

d ca

sem

anag

emen

t pro

cedu

res.

Thi

s al

low

s T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

to b

e in

corp

o-ra

ted

into

the

regu

lar

case

man

agem

ent p

roce

ss w

ith m

inim

al n

eed

for

new

form

s or

cha

nges

in p

roce

dure

s. T

he im

port

ant c

once

rn is

that

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed r

esou

rces

and

ser

vice

s be

con

side

red

atea

ch o

f the

sev

en T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

. Age

ncie

s ar

e en

cour

aged

to ta

keth

e qu

estio

ns a

nd c

heck

lists

in T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

and

add

thes

edi

rect

ly o

nto

exis

ting

form

s an

d tr

acki

ng p

roce

dure

s w

hene

ver

pos-

sibl

e. T

his

will

hel

p en

sure

that

ther

e is

ade

quat

e do

cum

enta

tion

ofth

e co

nsid

erat

ion

and

utili

zatio

n of

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

and

serv

ices

.

The

TE

CH

PO

INT

S w

here

con

side

ratio

n of

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

sho

uld

occu

r in

clud

e:

TE

CH

PO

INT

TE

CH

PO

INT

TE

CH

PO

INT

TE

CH

PO

INT

TE

CH

PO

INT

159

TE

CH

PO

INT

TE

CH

PO

INT

Ref

erra

l/App

licat

ion

(Sta

tus

02)

Ext

ende

d E

valu

atio

n(S

tatu

s 06

)

Pla

n D

evel

opm

ent

(Sta

tus

10, 1

2)

Ser

vice

s(S

tatu

s 14

, 16,

18)

Pla

cem

ent/F

ollo

w-U

p(S

tatu

s 20

, 22)

Clo

sure

Poi

nts

(Sta

tus

08, 2

6, 2

8, 3

0, 3

4)

Pos

t-E

mpl

oym

ent

(Sta

tus

32)

OT

EC

H P

OIN

T

00R

EF

ER

RA

L

02A

PP

LIC

AN

T

EV

ALU

AT

ION

+ N

OY

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TE

CH

PO

INT

/CIA

8UR

EN

MA

YB

E

06E

XT

EN

DE

DE

VA

LUA

TIO

N

EV

ALU

AT

ION

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ER

VIC

EIN

TE

RR

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TE

D

OT

hal P

OIN

T

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-

10IW

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DE

VE

LOP

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NT

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ITT

EN

w/

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EN

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1211

NR

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CO

MP

LET

ED

1

aCT

UR

E

I= =

1

1416

CA

D P

R

18

TE

CH

PO

INT

NO

TY

ET

Flo

w c

hart

take

n fr

om

Reh

abili

tatio

n C

ouns

elin

g:

Bas

ics

and

Bey

ond

1198

7)

20R

EA

DY

FO

R

EM

PLO

YM

EN

T

PLA

CE

ME

NT

I 22 IN

EM

PLO

YM

EN

T

FO

LLO

W-U

P

TE

CH

PO

INT

Sin

the

Voc

atio

nal

Reh

abili

tatio

nP

roce

ss

NO

28 /

LON

GE

RC

LOS

UR

ELI

KE

LY

I

TE

CH

paw

.

I

OT

EC

H P

OIN

T

Clo

sure

Out

com

es

08 26 28 30 34

TE

CH

PO

INT

32 P

OS

TE

MP

LOY

ME

NT

SER

VIC

ES

1.(

SE

RV

ICE

Sao

34 s

u

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

2

Tec

hnol

ogy

Inte

rven

tion

Pre

para

tion

Ste

ps (

TIP

S)

At e

ach

TE

CH

PO

INT

que

stio

ns a

nd c

onsi

dera

tions

are

pre

sent

ed w

hich

ass

ist t

he c

ouns

elor

in d

eter

min

ing

if

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces

are

actu

ally

nee

ded.

The

se T

echn

olog

y In

terv

entio

n P

repa

ratio

n S

teps

, cal

led

TIP

S, h

elp

toid

entif

y th

e ch

alle

nges

and

con

cern

s in

volv

ed to

effe

ctiv

ely

cons

ider

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed o

ptio

ns.

The

que

stio

ns a

nd s

ugge

stio

ns fo

r T

IPS

var

y fo

r ea

ch T

EC

H P

OIN

T, b

ut fo

llow

the

sam

e pa

ttern

. The

re is

no

right

or

wro

ng w

ay to

use

TIP

S. C

onsi

dera

tion

is g

iven

to a

ll en

viro

nmen

ts in

whi

ch a

nin

divi

dual

wou

ld n

eed

to fu

nctio

n

(see

insi

de b

ack

cove

r fo

r m

ore

info

rmat

ion

on th

e en

viro

nmen

ts).

The

se e

nviro

nmen

ts in

clud

e:

Hom

eC

omm

unity

Voc

atio

nal

Sch

ool/

Reh

abili

tatio

nT

rain

ing

See

pag

e 20

for

mor

e in

form

atio

n on

TIP

S a

nd u

sing

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

as

a co

unse

ling

tool

.

Wor

k

Con

side

ring

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y

The

voc

atio

nal r

ehab

ilita

tion

coun

selo

r is

the

key

staf

f per

son

to d

eter

min

e if

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s co

uld

be a

ppro

pria

tefo

r an

indi

vidu

al

who

is r

ecei

ving

VR

ser

vice

s. T

he c

ouns

elor

is m

ost l

ikel

y to

bec

ome

awar

e of

the

chal

leng

es th

at a

clie

nt m

ay fa

ce in

see

king

or

mai

ntai

ning

empl

oy-

men

t or

perf

orm

ing

impo

rtan

t ind

epen

dent

livi

ng ta

sks.

Thr

ough

the

use

of T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

, the

cou

nsel

or c

anbe

mor

e co

nfid

ent t

hat a

ppro

pria

te

deci

sion

s ar

e m

ade

rega

rdin

g us

e of

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces

or p

urch

ase

of te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

equ

ipm

ent.

Reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

con

sist

s of

thes

e m

ain

com

pone

nts:

Reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s,

Ass

istiv

e te

chno

logy

aid

s an

d de

vice

s, a

nd

Reh

abili

tatio

n E

ngin

eerin

g.

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y S

ervi

ces

Whe

n re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces

seem

app

ropr

iate

, the

cou

nsel

or's

res

pons

ibili

ty is

to in

volv

e th

e ap

prop

riate

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

spec

ialis

t(s)

. Coo

rdin

atio

n an

d ac

tive

invo

lvem

ent w

ith te

chno

logy

issu

es a

re k

ey r

oles

for

the

coun

selo

r in

effe

ctiv

ely

usin

g te

chno

logy

res

ourc

esan

d

serv

ices

.

161

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

3

162

RE

HA

BIL

ITA

TIO

N T

EC

HN

OLO

GY

SE

RV

ICE

S

tech

nolo

gy c

onsu

ltatio

n

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

eva

luat

ion/

asse

ssm

ent

assi

stiv

e de

vice

rec

omm

enda

tion/

pres

crip

tion

assi

stiv

e te

chno

logy

equ

ipm

ent p

rocu

rem

ent

devi

ce fi

tting

/adj

ustm

ent

O d

evic

e cu

stom

des

ign

devi

ce fa

bric

atio

n/ad

apta

tion

devi

ce tr

aini

ng fo

r co

nsum

ers

care

give

rsde

vice

mai

nten

ance

/rep

air

follo

w-u

p

equi

pmen

t loa

npr

oduc

t dem

onst

ratio

nO

fund

ing

assi

stan

ceed

ucat

ion

and

trai

ning

At e

ach

TE

CH

PO

INT

, sug

gest

ions

on

usin

g th

ese

serv

ices

for

"tec

hnol

ogy

inte

rven

tions

" ar

e pr

ovid

ed. R

ecal

ling

wha

t pro

ved

to b

e ef

fect

ive

with

prev

ious

clie

nts

and

disc

ussi

ng c

ases

with

oth

er c

ouns

elor

s w

ill b

e he

lpfu

l. If

it is

not

cer

tain

wha

t spe

cific

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces

are

need

ed, a

tech

nolo

gyco

nsul

tatio

n is

rec

omm

ende

d. N

ote:

The

term

"as

sist

ive

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces'

is a

lso

com

mon

ly u

sed

in r

efer

ence

to r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces.

Ass

istiv

e T

echn

olog

y A

ids

and

Dev

ices

A m

ajor

com

pone

nt o

f reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

is th

e eq

uipm

ent -

aid

s an

d de

vice

s- th

at is

ofte

n us

ed to

ass

ist i

ndiv

idua

ls in

per

form

ing

task

s.

The

se c

ould

incl

ude:

e co

mm

erci

ally

ava

ilabl

e pr

oduc

ts th

at c

an b

e us

ed o

ff-th

e-sh

elf,

or

e de

vice

s w

hich

nee

d to

be

mod

ified

or

cust

omiz

ed to

mee

t the

indi

vidu

al c

lient

's u

niqu

e ne

eds.

The

sco

pe o

f aid

s an

d de

vice

s av

aila

ble

is e

xten

sive

. Kno

win

g a

little

abo

ut w

hat i

s av

aila

ble

shou

ld p

rovi

de V

R fi

eld

staf

f with

the

awar

enes

s le

vel

need

ed to

exp

lore

opt

ions

and

con

side

r ap

prop

riate

alte

rnat

ives

.

CA

TE

GO

RIE

S O

F A

SS

IST

IVE

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y D

EV

ICE

S

aids

for

daily

livi

ngar

chite

ctur

al a

ccom

mod

atio

nsco

gniti

ve/m

emor

y ai

dsco

mm

unic

atio

n ai

ds

com

pute

r ac

cess

cont

rols

/sw

itche

sm

obili

ty/a

mbu

latio

n

orth

otic

s/pr

osth

etic

sre

crea

tion

seat

ing/

posi

tioni

ng

sens

ory

aids

ther

apeu

tic/h

ealth

mai

nten

ance

aid

svo

catio

nal/t

rain

ing

aids

Reh

abili

tatio

n E

ngin

eerin

g

In c

erta

in s

ituat

ions

it m

ay b

e ne

cess

ary

to c

usto

m d

esig

n a

piec

e of

equ

ipm

ent o

r m

ake

mod

ifica

tions

to th

e en

viro

nmen

t or

wor

ksite

whe

re th

e16

3 s

ervi

ces

of a

reh

abili

tatio

n en

gine

er w

ill b

e re

quire

d. T

he c

ouns

elor

will

freq

uent

ly w

ork

clos

ely

with

the

engi

neer

in d

eter

min

ingt

he s

cope

and

nat

ure'

) f6

the

acco

mm

odat

ion.

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

4

4

Wor

king

With

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y S

peci

alis

ts

Reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s ar

e us

ually

pro

vide

d by

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ists

who

hav

e sp

ecifi

c tr

aini

ng a

nd e

xper

tise.

An

impo

rtan

t

func

tion

of th

e V

R c

ouns

elor

is k

now

ing

whe

n it

is a

ppro

pria

te to

arr

ange

for

are

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t to

assi

st o

n a

case

. Inv

olvi

ng a

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t at t

he a

ppro

pria

te ti

me

shou

ld s

ave

time,

mon

ey, a

nd im

prov

e se

rvic

ede

liver

y.

The

follo

win

g ar

e so

me

of th

e sp

ecia

lists

that

may

be

need

ed to

com

plet

e va

rious

type

sof

tech

nolo

gy in

terv

entio

ns. O

ften

it w

ill b

e ne

cess

ary

to u

se

seve

ral s

peci

alis

ts, f

orm

ing

a "t

echn

olog

y te

am",

to a

dequ

atel

y ad

dres

s th

e ne

eds

of a

nin

divi

dual

.

4111

11

1(t

Ittir

reha

bilit

atio

n en

gine

er

assi

stiv

e te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logi

st

occu

patio

nal t

hera

pist

phys

ical

ther

apis

t

spee

ch/la

ngua

ge p

atho

logi

st

fabr

icat

ion

tech

nici

an

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

sup

plie

r/D

ME

The

reh

abili

tatio

n co

unse

lor

will

ofte

n be

exp

ecte

d to

sel

ect t

he a

ppro

pria

te te

chno

logy

spec

ialis

t to

mee

t spe

cific

clie

nt n

eeds

.

Cos

t Con

side

ratio

ns

Who

is g

oing

to p

ay fo

r as

sist

ive

tech

nolo

gy e

quip

men

t or

mod

ifica

tions

is a

n im

port

ant c

once

rnfo

r co

unse

lors

. The

ant

icip

ated

cos

t of r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

or

serv

ices

sho

uld

not b

e th

e fir

st c

onsi

dera

tion

whe

n lo

okin

g at

the

poss

ibili

ty o

f a te

chno

logy

inte

rven

tion.

Bef

ore

deci

ding

that

som

ethi

ng is

too

expe

nsiv

e or

not

with

in a

genc

y gu

idel

ines

con

sulta

tion

with

a te

chno

logy

spec

ialis

t may

be

need

ed. T

echn

olog

y de

cisi

ons

shou

ld b

e

dete

rmin

ed o

n a

case

-by-

case

bas

is.

Som

e fu

ndin

g op

tions

to c

onsi

der:

Is it

app

ropr

iate

for

VR

to p

urch

ase?

Wou

ld th

e cl

ient

con

side

r pu

rcha

sing

?

Are

ther

e su

pple

men

tal f

unds

ava

ilabl

e?O

ther

fund

ing

optio

ns?

Will

the

empl

oyer

cov

er e

xpen

ses

for

the

equi

pmen

t or

mod

ifica

tion?

165

iG6

171#

*1 P

OIN

TS

' Gui

de5

How

to U

se th

e T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

Gui

de

The

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

pro

vide

s a

quic

k re

fere

nce

for

reha

bilit

atio

n co

unse

lors

to h

elp

inte

grat

e re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy u

se in

to th

e V

R p

roce

ss.

The

Gui

de s

umm

ariz

es s

ome

of th

e in

form

atio

n w

hich

is c

over

ed in

the

mor

e co

mpr

ehen

sive

TE

CH

PO

INT

S T

rain

ing

Man

ual.

Cou

nsel

ors

and

othe

r st

aff

who

use

TE

CH

PO

INT

S s

houl

d re

fer

to th

e T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

Tra

inin

g M

anua

l for

add

ition

al in

form

atio

n.

TE

CH

PO

INT

S s

ugge

sts

way

s th

at a

cou

nsel

or c

ould

exp

lore

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed n

eeds

with

indi

vidu

al c

lient

s. T

he m

ajor

pur

pose

of T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

isto

hel

p m

ake

tech

nolo

gy c

onsi

dera

tions

a r

egul

ar p

art o

f wha

t any

cou

nsel

or w

ould

look

at a

s th

ey w

ork

with

indi

vidu

als.

Jus

t as

ther

e ar

edi

ffere

nt c

ouns

elin

g st

rate

gies

and

app

roac

hes

whi

ch e

ffect

ivel

y w

ork

with

som

e in

divi

dual

s, T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

is a

str

uctu

re th

at c

an b

e ad

apte

d.

Info

rmat

ion

is p

rovi

ded

sugg

estin

g w

hat c

ouns

elor

s sh

ould

con

side

r at

eac

h T

EC

H P

OIN

T.

Thi

s in

clud

es: Wha

t to

Acc

ompl

ish

Sug

gest

s th

e pr

imar

y pu

rpos

e or

obj

ectiv

es to

com

plet

e at

eac

h T

EC

H P

OIN

T

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y IN

TE

RV

EN

TIO

N P

RE

PA

RA

TIO

N S

TE

PS

Sho

w a

ser

ies

of q

uest

ions

whi

ch r

elat

e to

tech

nolo

gy c

onsi

dera

tions

for

each

TE

CH

PO

INT

. The

se o

ffer

a st

artin

g po

int t

o lo

ok a

tte

chno

logy

nee

ds a

nd th

en o

ffer

furt

her

sugg

estio

ns o

f key

con

cern

s an

d qu

estio

ns to

rev

iew

with

indi

vidu

als

to d

evel

op a

pla

n fo

rte

chno

logy

-rel

ated

nee

ds.

MrA

ctio

n ne

eded

:M

rAct

ion

reco

mm

ende

d:

Sum

mar

izes

spe

cific

act

ion

that

sho

uld

be c

ompl

eted

for

any

indi

vidu

al a

nd th

en s

ugge

sts

addi

tiona

l tec

hnol

ogy-

rela

ted

activ

ities

for

thos

e pe

rson

s w

ith m

ore

exte

nsiv

e te

chno

logy

nee

ds

The

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

and

the

TE

CH

PO

INT

S T

rain

ing

Man

ual a

re d

esig

ned

to b

e pa

rt o

f an

ongo

ing

trai

ning

pro

gram

for

VR

sta

ff on

way

sto

inte

grat

e th

e us

e of

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

into

the

VR

pro

cess

. Tra

inin

g in

the

use

of T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

was

not

des

igne

d to

go

into

ver

y m

uch

deta

il w

ithan

y sp

ecifi

c ty

pe o

r ar

ea o

f tec

hnol

ogy

use.

Add

ition

al tr

aini

ng w

ill b

e ne

eded

to e

xpos

ure

VR

cou

nsel

ors

and

othe

r st

aff t

o m

ore

info

rmat

ion

so th

eyca

n

mak

e in

form

ed c

hoic

es o

n ho

w to

bes

t use

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

with

thei

r cl

ient

s.

1616

87

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

6

. _..,

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"7A

Ilr

,F04

%1

1

Wha

t to

acco

mpl

ish:

Con

side

r ne

ed fo

r re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

and

ser

vice

s fo

r al

lap

plic

ants

. Dec

isio

ns o

n vo

catio

nal p

oten

tial s

houl

d in

clud

e ho

w te

chno

logy

reso

urce

s/se

rvic

es c

ould

impr

ove

or e

nhan

ce p

erfo

rman

ce.

Tec

hnol

ogy

Env

ironm

ents

TE

CH

PO

INT

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

Cl A

re th

ere

any

reas

onab

le a

c-co

mm

odat

ions

indi

cate

d fo

r th

eV

R a

pplic

atio

n pr

oces

s?

Cl D

oes

the

appl

ican

t hav

e co

n-ce

rns

abou

t per

form

ing

any

"maj

or li

fe a

ctiv

ity"?

CI I

s th

e ap

plic

ant p

rese

ntly

usi

ngte

chno

logy

to p

erfo

rm "

maj

orlif

e ac

tiviti

es"?

Cl I

s th

e m

ain

reas

on fo

r V

R a

ppli-

catio

n te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

?

0 Is

the

reas

on fo

r V

R a

pplic

atio

nre

late

d to

per

form

ing

"ess

entia

lfu

nctio

ns"

of a

job?

0 W

ould

tech

nolo

gy e

nhan

ce,

crea

te o

r el

imin

ate

the

thre

at o

fjo

b lo

ss o

r af

fect

hea

lth fo

r th

isap

plic

ant?

Cl W

ould

con

side

ratio

n of

tech

-no

logy

cre

ate

an o

ppor

tuni

tyfo

r th

is a

pplic

ant t

hat w

ould

othe

rwis

e no

t be

cons

ider

ed?

Cl D

oes

the

appl

ican

t und

erst

and

the

rela

tions

hip

betw

een

tech

nolo

gyse

rvic

esan

dem

ploy

men

t?

CI D

oes

the

appl

ican

t hav

e a

posi

tive

and

real

istic

out

look

conc

erni

ng te

chno

logy

?

169

Pha

se in

the

Reh

abili

tatio

n P

roce

ss

(Sta

tus

02)

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

0 S

epar

ate

each

con

cern

the

appl

ican

t has

men

tione

d. W

here

and

whe

n do

es th

e co

ncer

n fo

rea

ch ta

sk o

ccur

?A

t hom

e,ou

tsid

e th

e ho

me

such

as

scho

olor

wor

k?

GI W

ill m

ore

than

one

env

ironm

ent

be a

ffect

ed w

hen

this

con

cern

is a

ddre

ssed

?

CI O

ther

than

ass

istiv

e de

vice

s,w

hat a

ssis

tanc

e do

es th

e ap

-pl

ican

t hav

e in

per

form

ing

task

s?

0 D

oes

the

appl

ican

t hav

e or

know

of f

inan

cial

res

ourc

es th

atca

n be

use

d to

add

ress

tech

-no

logy

con

cern

s?

CI D

oes

the

appl

ican

t app

ear

toha

ve a

wor

kabl

e kn

owle

dge

ofre

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy?

Cl W

hat h

as th

e ap

plic

ant t

ried

inth

e pa

st th

at d

id o

r di

d no

t wor

kin

atte

mpt

ing

to s

olve

this

conc

ern?

CI D

oes

the

appl

ican

t app

ear

com

fort

able

with

con

side

ring

the

use

of a

ltern

ate

way

s of

acco

mpl

ishi

ng ta

sks?

CI A

re c

ouns

elor

con

cern

s no

ted

rega

rdin

g th

e us

e of

tech

nolo

gyth

at th

e ap

plic

ant m

ay n

ot s

ee?

CI H

ave

all f

acts

bee

n ob

tain

edan

d in

form

atio

n re

view

ed?

170

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

7

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

O Is

ther

e a

prim

ary

area

of c

on-

cern

?

CI I

f the

re is

mor

e th

an o

ne c

on-

cern

, sho

uld

any

be a

ddre

ssed

toge

ther

? (F

or e

xam

ple,

sea

t-in

g an

d po

sitio

ning

in a

whe

el-

chai

r m

ight

effe

ct u

se o

f a c

om-

pute

r sw

itch;

dev

ices

and

equ

ip-

men

t pre

scrib

ed fo

r m

obili

tym

ight

affe

ct e

quip

men

t nee

dsfo

r ad

aptiv

e dr

ivin

g, e

tc.)

CI I

n w

hat o

rder

sho

uld

the

con-

cern

s be

add

ress

ed?

C3

Are

ther

e de

adlin

es th

at m

ust

be c

onsi

dere

d in

add

ress

ing

conc

erns

?

0 W

hat a

genc

y gu

idel

ines

mus

tbe

add

ress

ed in

con

side

ring

this

/thes

e co

ncer

n(s)

? H

as a

p-pl

ican

t bee

n ad

vise

d of

thes

egu

idel

ines

?

CI W

ho is

nee

ded

in a

dditi

on to

the

coun

selo

r an

d th

e ap

plic

ant t

ohe

lp s

olve

this

/thes

e co

ncer

n(s)

?

CI W

hat a

dditi

onal

info

rmat

ion

mig

ht b

e in

dica

ted

befo

re a

d-dr

essi

ng th

is/th

ese

conc

ern(

s)?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

CI W

hat i

mm

edia

te te

chno

logy

0 H

as th

e ap

plic

ant b

een

advi

sed

conc

erns

will

be

addr

esse

dof

a ti

me

to c

heck

on

prog

ress

now

?to

war

d a

solu

tion?

0 W

hat t

echn

olog

y sp

ecia

list(

s) is

/ar

e ne

eded

to a

ssis

t in

asse

ss-

men

t of t

echn

olog

y co

ncer

n(s)

?

0 H

as th

e ap

plic

ant b

een

invo

lved

to th

e fu

llest

ext

ent p

ossi

ble?

0 H

ave

alte

rnat

ives

bee

n co

nsid

-C

I Who

is r

espo

nsib

le fo

r co

ntac

t-er

ed?

ing

the

spec

ialis

t(s)

?0

Is fi

nanc

ial a

ssis

tanc

e ne

eded

CI A

re ti

me

fram

es s

et to

follo

w-

to a

ddre

ss a

ny te

chno

logy

con

-

up o

n st

eps

that

are

indi

cate

d?ce

rns?

Rea

sons

to d

evel

op a

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

nee

ds p

rofil

e

star

ting

poin

t to

cons

ider

tech

nolo

gy o

ptio

nsga

ther

s in

form

atio

n ne

eded

for

elig

ibili

ty d

ecis

ions

help

s en

sure

that

app

ropr

iate

res

ourc

es a

re c

onsi

dere

dfu

nctio

nal p

art o

f cas

e m

anag

emen

t

quic

kly

revi

ews

tech

nolo

gy n

eeds

1110

.1.1

10. l

ed*.

Mod

s P

re.

Act

ion

need

ed:

idA

ctio

n re

com

men

ded:

Com

plet

e R

ehab

ilita

tion

Tec

hnol

ogy

Nee

ds P

rofil

eIf

tech

nolo

gy u

se is

like

ly, d

iscu

ss c

ase

with

the

appr

opria

te

Pro

vide

nec

essa

ry a

ccom

mod

atio

ns fo

r ap

plic

ant t

o en

ter

VR

sys

tem

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist

1x71

If vo

catio

nal e

valu

atio

n se

rvic

es a

re s

ched

uled

, req

uest

that

the

eval

uato

r us

e te

chno

logy

res

ourc

es a

s sp

ecifi

ed1

72

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

8

BE

ST C

OPY

MU

M

`,,-

,

--'P

OIN

T-

472

tena

ea:z

.v tu

ario

n'fi

tFJ

Wha

t to

acco

mpl

ish:

A c

ompr

ehen

sive

ass

essm

ent o

f the

clie

nt's

voc

atio

nal p

oten

tial s

houl

d in

clud

eco

nsid

erat

ion

of te

chno

logy

res

ourc

es/s

ervi

ces.

If n

eed

for

reha

bilit

atio

nte

chno

logy

ser

vice

s w

as id

entif

ied

at T

EC

H P

OIN

T 1

, ent

ry in

to E

xten

ded

Eva

luat

ion

may

be

nece

ssar

y.

Env

ironm

ents

El

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

CI D

oes

a pe

rson

with

this

type

of

disa

bilit

yge

nera

lly n

eed

acco

mm

odat

ions

to c

ompl

ete

a vo

catio

nal e

valu

atio

n?

CI I

s tr

ansp

orta

tion

a ba

rrie

r?If

so, i

s th

ere

a te

mpo

rary

solu

tion

to a

llow

com

plet

ion

ofvo

catio

nal e

valu

atio

n?

Cl W

ould

pro

vidi

ng te

chno

logy

offe

r th

e op

port

unity

to e

xplo

revo

catio

nal g

oals

that

wou

ld n

otbe

con

side

red

othe

rwis

e?

173 T

EC

H

PO

INT

Pha

se in

the

Reh

abili

tatio

n P

roce

ss

(Sta

tus

06)

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

0 W

hat t

echn

olog

y co

ncer

ns, i

fan

y, n

eed

to b

e di

scus

sed

with

the

voca

tiona

l eva

luat

or?

Do

thes

e co

ncer

ns n

eed

to b

e di

s-cu

ssed

prio

r to

eva

luat

ion?

CI I

s eq

uipm

ent p

rese

ntly

bei

ngus

ed b

y th

e cl

ient

ade

quat

eto

com

plet

e vo

catio

nal e

valu

-at

ion?

0 Is

a te

chno

logy

ass

essm

ent

need

ed to

hel

p de

term

ine

equi

pmen

tne

eds

and

mod

ifica

tions

prio

rtov

ocat

iona

lev

alua

tion

le.g

., ke

yboa

rd

acce

ss, c

omm

unic

atio

n de

-vi

ces,

sea

ting

issu

es, e

tc.)

?

CI C

an e

quip

men

t be

borr

owed

or r

ente

d be

fore

a p

urch

ase

is m

ade?

CI I

f any

tech

nolo

gy is

rec

om-

men

ded,

wha

t im

pact

will

it

have

on

the

hom

e, c

omm

unity

,tr

aini

ng o

r w

orke

nviro

nmen

ts?

174

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

9

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

O Is

ther

e a

prim

ary

area

of c

on-

cern

?

O If

ther

e is

mor

e th

an o

neco

ncer

n,sh

ould

any

be

addr

esse

d to

geth

er?

(For

exam

ple,

seat

ing

and

posi

tioni

ng in

a w

heel

chai

rm

ight

effe

ct u

se o

f a c

ompu

ter

switc

h; d

evic

es a

nd e

quip

men

tpr

escr

ibed

for

mob

ility

mig

htaf

fect

equ

ipm

ent n

eeds

for

adap

tive

driv

ing,

etc

.)

O In

wha

t ord

er s

houl

d th

e co

n-ce

rns

be a

ddre

ssed

?

O A

re th

ere

dead

lines

that

mus

tbe

con

side

red

in a

ddre

ssin

gco

ncer

ns?

O W

hat i

s th

e im

pact

of t

hese

prio

ritie

s in

term

s of

peo

ple,

heal

th, m

oney

and

age

ncy

guid

elin

es?

O A

re V

R s

ervi

ces

depe

nden

t on

this

nee

d be

ing

met

and

is th

isco

ncer

n es

sent

ial f

or e

mpl

oy-

abili

ty?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

O W

ho w

ill fu

nd th

e te

chno

logy

?

O W

ho w

ill d

o w

hat i

n ad

dres

sing

conc

ern(

s)?

O W

hat i

s th

e tim

e fr

ame

for

ad-

dres

sing

con

cern

(s)?

0 H

as th

e cl

ient

bee

n in

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

und

erst

and

his/

her

resp

onsi

bilit

ies?

Whe

n pr

epar

ing

a re

ferr

al fo

r co

mpr

ehen

sive

ass

essm

ent s

ervi

ces,

suc

h as

voc

atio

nal

eval

uatio

ns, d

eter

min

e if

. . .

this

indi

vidu

al c

an b

e ev

alua

ted

with

sta

ndar

d as

sess

men

t pro

cedu

res

alte

rnat

e fo

rmat

s or

oth

er a

ccom

mod

atio

ns a

re n

eede

dth

e vo

catio

nal e

valu

atio

n pr

ogra

m h

as a

ssis

tive

aids

and

dev

ices

ava

ilabl

e fo

r cl

ient

s to

try

If th

e as

sess

men

t doe

s no

t see

m c

apab

le o

f pro

vidi

ng a

ppro

pria

te te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

sup

port

, the

n co

nsid

erat

ion

of o

ther

opt

ions

may

be

nece

ssar

y.

lir A

ctio

n ne

eded

:lif

Act

ion

reco

mm

ende

d:

If vo

catio

nal e

valu

atio

n is

util

ized

, inf

orm

voc

atio

nal e

valu

atio

nst

aff o

f any

ant

icip

ated

acc

omm

odat

ions

or

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed n

eeds

Sch

edul

e pr

e-ev

alua

tion

staf

fing

with

voc

atio

nal e

valu

ator

todi

scus

s te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

nee

ds

Whe

n co

mpl

etin

g pe

riodi

c re

view

s, c

heck

with

clie

nt r

egar

ding

If te

chno

logy

nee

ds a

re id

entif

ied,

arr

ange

for

a re

habi

litat

ion

15

stat

us o

f tec

hnol

ogy

need

ste

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist t

o be

invo

lved

in e

valu

atio

n

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

10

I

11.7

.714

31N

Pian

:Wei

felO

Pine

ntrr

p%_

-a.

.

7fr

1.*

."- .

'="=

-*Pr

,

Wha

t to

to a

ccom

plis

h:

Tec

hnol

ogy

reso

urce

s an

d se

rvic

es s

houl

d be

incl

uded

in d

eter

min

atio

n of

voc

atio

nal

goal

s an

d ob

ject

ives

and

all

aspe

cts

of th

e IW

RP

pla

nnin

g pr

oces

s. If

com

preh

ensi

veas

sess

men

t is

incl

uded

with

in P

lan

Dev

elop

men

t (S

tatu

s 10

), c

onsi

dera

tion

ofre

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

houl

d be

incl

uded

.

Env

iron

men

ts

1'70

118

h

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

Cl W

hat c

halle

nges

doe

s th

edi

sabi

lity

crea

te in

wor

king

tow

ard

the

voca

tiona

l obj

ectiv

e?

Cl R

evie

w te

chno

logy

whi

ch th

ecl

ient

curr

ently

uses

tode

term

ine

ifit

can

be u

sed

inac

hiev

ing

the

voca

tiona

l goa

l.

Cl W

ould

tech

nolo

gy p

oten

tially

assi

st th

e cl

ient

in o

verc

omin

gth

ese

chal

leng

es?

CI D

oes

the

clie

nt h

ave

any

conc

erns

abo

ut th

e us

e of

tech

nolo

gy in

wor

king

tow

ard

the

voca

tiona

l goa

l?

177

TE

CH

PO

INT/

Pha

se in

the

Reh

abili

tatio

n P

roce

ss

(Sta

tus

10, 1

2)

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

CI H

ave

need

s ch

ange

d in

tran

s-po

rtat

ion,

hou

sing

, equ

ipm

ent,

or c

omm

unic

atio

n? If

so,

hav

ene

w te

chno

logy

nee

ds b

een

crea

ted

in h

ome,

com

mun

ity,

voca

tiona

l reh

abili

tatio

n, s

choo

l/tr

aini

ng, o

r w

ork

envi

ronm

ents

?

Cl I

s re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gyne

cess

ary

for

the

achi

evem

ent

of th

e vo

catio

nal o

bjec

tive?

ID H

ave

tech

nolo

gy n

eeds

bee

nap

prop

riate

ly d

ocum

ente

d to

just

ify w

ritte

n go

als

on th

eIW

RP

?

Cl D

oes

the

clie

nt u

nder

stan

dho

w th

e te

chno

logy

goa

lsre

late

to th

e vo

catio

nal g

oal?

178

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

1 1

1

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

o In

wha

t ord

er w

ill te

chno

logy

conc

erns

iden

tifie

d in

this

stat

us b

e ad

dres

sed?

0 O

ther

than

the

clie

nt a

nd th

eco

unse

lor,

who

els

e sh

ould

be

invo

lved

in s

ettin

g pr

iorit

ies?

13 H

ow m

uch

time

will

be

need

edto

car

ry o

ut e

ach

tech

nolo

gygo

al?

0 W

ill th

e go

al o

f em

ploy

men

t be

dela

yed

if te

chno

logy

con

cern

sar

e ad

dres

sed

late

r in

the

proc

ess?

0 H

ow w

ill th

e tim

e ne

eded

toac

hiev

e te

chno

logy

goa

lsaf

fect

the

impl

emen

tatio

n of

serv

ices

(in

clud

ing

acco

mm

o-da

tion

for

job

appl

icat

ions

and

inte

rvie

ws)

or

achi

evem

ent o

fth

e vo

catio

nal g

oal?

0 D

oes

clie

nt n

eed

time

to a

djus

tto

the

tech

nolo

gy o

r ac

com

mo-

datio

n?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

O W

hat s

teps

are

nee

ded

toac

hiev

e th

e te

chno

logy

goa

ls?

O W

ho s

houl

d be

invo

lved

in p

ro-

vidi

ng th

e te

chno

logy

ser

vice

san

d w

hat f

orm

sho

uld

thei

r in

-vo

lvem

ent t

ake?

O Is

ther

e a

plan

for

com

plet

ing

each

ste

p?

13 W

ho w

ill fu

nd th

e pu

rcha

se o

fth

e te

chno

logy

?

0 H

as th

e cl

ient

bee

n in

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

und

erst

and

his/

her

resp

onsi

bilit

ies?

Bef

ore

dete

rmin

ing

voca

tiona

l goa

ls a

nd o

bjec

tives

rem

embe

r to

con

side

r po

ssib

leim

pact

of r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy. I

f reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

is b

eing

con

side

red

. . .

how

invo

lved

has

the

clie

nt b

een

in th

e se

lect

ion

of a

ids

or d

evic

es?

does

the

clie

nt d

emon

stra

te a

ny fu

nctio

nal l

imita

tions

whi

ch w

ould

be

redu

ced

or e

limin

ated

thro

ugh

use

of a

ssis

tive

aids

/dev

ices

?

wou

ld th

e us

e of

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s or

ass

istiv

e te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s im

prov

e/ex

pand

voc

atio

nal g

oals

?

will

the

clie

nt b

e ab

le to

mak

e sm

ooth

tran

sitio

n in

to p

lann

ed s

ervi

ces?

611A

ctio

n ne

eded

:E

id A

ctio

n re

com

men

ded:

Writ

e te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

nee

ds in

to th

e P

lan

Con

sult

with

a te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist b

efor

e fin

aliz

ed P

lan

to r

evie

wte

chno

logy

-rel

ated

rec

omm

enda

tions

Whe

n co

mpl

etin

g th

e IW

RP

with

clie

nt, d

iscu

ss a

ny a

ntic

ipat

ed

I 9re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy n

eeds

If po

ssib

le, r

efer

clie

nt to

oth

er s

ourc

es fo

r te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

ree

ds'

that

VR

is u

nabl

e to

mee

t

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

12

/NV

-r--

-4--

Serv

ices

-.V

.rr

7.1,

r,';

."..-

;.'""

."7

Wha

t to

acco

mpl

ish:

Use

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed r

esou

rces

/ser

vice

s to

enh

ance

per

form

ance

cap

abili

ties

and

addr

ess

any

acco

mm

odat

ion

need

s in

any

pla

nned

ser

vice

act

iviti

es.

Env

ironm

ents

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

0 W

hat p

revi

ousl

y un

iden

tifie

dch

alle

nges

to r

ecei

ving

ser

vice

sdo

es th

e di

sabi

lity

pote

ntia

llycr

eate

?

0 W

hat t

echn

olog

y co

uld

pote

n-tia

lly a

ssis

t in

mee

ting

thes

ech

alle

nges

?

0 W

hat i

s th

e cl

ient

's c

omfo

rtle

vel w

ith te

chno

logy

?

181

TE

CH

PO

INT

Pha

se in

the

Reh

abili

tatio

n P

roce

ss

(Sta

tus

14, 1

6, 1

8)

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

171

Doe

s th

e cl

ient

hav

e an

y ne

wco

ncer

ns r

egar

ding

equ

ip-

men

t, m

odifi

catio

ns, e

tc.,

sinc

eth

e la

st r

evie

w?

0 H

ave

ther

e be

en c

hang

es in

any

envi

ronm

ent (

e.g.

, hom

e,co

mm

unity

, sch

ool/t

rain

ing

or,

wor

k en

viro

nmen

ts)?

El D

oes

the

tech

nolo

gy b

eing

used

hav

e an

y un

antic

ipat

edne

gativ

e im

pact

s in

thes

e en

-vi

ronm

ents

?

0 D

o ot

hers

invo

lved

with

the

clie

nt h

ave

any

conc

erns

abo

utte

chno

logy

the

clie

nt is

usi

ng(e

.g.,

inst

ruct

ors,

fam

ily,

atte

ndan

ts, e

tc.)

.

0 A

reas

sist

ive

tech

nolo

gyde

vice

s be

ing

mai

ntai

ned

ona

regu

lar

basi

s?

182

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

13

1

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

O In

wha

t ord

er s

houl

d te

chno

l-og

y co

ncer

ns b

e ad

dres

sed?

O If

a n

ew te

chno

logy

con

cern

isno

t met

or

tech

nolo

gy c

urre

ntly

bein

g us

ed is

not

upd

ated

, will

this

cau

se a

thre

at to

the

heal

th

of th

e cl

ient

or

the

achi

evem

ent

of th

e vo

catio

nal p

lan?

If s

o,is

imm

edia

te in

terv

entio

nne

eded

?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

CI F

or e

ach

conc

ern

iden

tifie

d,w

hat t

echn

olog

y sp

ecia

lists

mus

t bec

ome

invo

lved

and

wha

t for

m m

ust t

his

invo

lve-

men

t tak

e?

0 W

hat r

espo

nsib

ility

doe

s th

ecl

ient

hav

e in

add

ress

ing

conc

erns

?D

oes

he/s

heun

ders

tand

his

/her

res

pons

i-bi

litie

s?

CI W

hat i

s th

e tim

e fr

ame

for

addr

essi

ng c

once

rn(s

)?

0 W

ho w

ill fu

nd th

e te

chno

logy

?

Rem

embe

r th

at te

chno

logy

nee

ds m

ay c

hang

e . .

.A

s a

pers

on b

ecom

es m

ore

inde

pend

ent a

nd a

ctiv

e, e

quip

men

t and

ass

istiv

e te

chno

logy

that

was

app

ropr

iate

dur

ing

earli

er V

R

stag

es m

ay n

o lo

nger

be

adeq

uate

.

A c

ouns

elor

sho

uld

help

a c

lient

lear

n to

mon

itor

chan

ging

nee

ds a

nd to

be

read

y to

con

sult

with

a te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist w

hen

indi

cate

d.

The

env

ironm

ents

rem

ain

impo

rtan

t. A

clie

nt's

livi

ng a

rran

gem

ent m

ay c

hang

e se

vera

l tim

es d

urin

g tr

aini

ng a

nd e

ach

situ

atio

nm

ay p

rese

nt a

diff

eren

t pro

blem

. Tra

inin

g si

tes

may

hav

e ne

eds

that

are

con

stan

tlysh

iftin

g be

caus

e of

the

natu

re o

f the

trai

ning

.

tif A

ctiO

n ne

eded

:,

ir. A

ctio

n re

com

men

ded:

Impl

emen

t tec

hnol

ogy-

rela

ted

serv

ices

(if

any)

iden

tifie

d in

IWR

PF

or c

lient

s in

trai

ning

pro

gram

s, c

onta

ct in

stru

ctor

s to

dis

cuss

tech

nolo

gy-

rela

ted

need

s fo

r tr

aini

ngG

athe

r in

form

atio

n fr

om v

ario

us s

ervi

ce p

rovi

ders

(ie

., th

erap

ist,

inst

ruct

ors,

etc

.) r

egar

ding

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed n

eeds

If ne

cess

ary,

arr

ange

for

a re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t to

beav

aila

ble

to o

ffer

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed a

ssis

tanc

e to

sch

ool/t

rain

ing

site

rTh

ri

Per

iodi

cally

che

ck o

n pe

rfor

man

ce to

iden

tify

poss

ible

tech

nolo

gy n

eed

chan

ges

1 Q

Aa.

TE

CH

PO

INT

SG

uide

14

wri

FIM

INT

-5

Wha

t to

acco

mpl

ish:

ef"

r:".

'97

7r;:-

/.1"'

""3

.1

Use

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed r

esou

rces

/ser

vice

s to

ena

ble

a w

orke

r w

ith a

dis

abili

ty to

perf

orm

ess

entia

l lob

func

tions

at t

heir

empl

oym

ent s

ite o

r im

prov

e th

e ab

ility

toob

tain

, mai

ntai

n, o

r ad

vanc

e in

em

ploy

men

t

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

Env

ironm

ents

I0

Wha

t cha

lleng

es to

sea

rchi

ngfo

r an

d ob

tain

ing

wor

k do

esth

e di

sabi

lity

crea

te fo

r th

iscl

ient

?

VR

El W

ould

tech

nolo

gy p

oten

tially

assi

st th

is c

lient

in o

verc

omin

gth

ese

chal

leng

es?

C3

Doe

s th

e cl

ient

hav

e co

ncer

nsab

out t

he u

se o

r po

tent

ial n

eed

for

tech

nolo

gy in

find

ing

orm

aint

aini

ng a

job?

185

Pha

se in

the

Reh

abili

tatio

n P

roce

ss

(Sta

tus

20, 2

2)

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

0 Is

the

tech

nolo

gy c

urre

ntly

used

by

this

clie

nt a

dequ

ate

tom

eet a

pplic

atio

n, jo

b pl

acem

ent

and

job

mai

nten

ance

nee

ds?

0 W

ill a

ny r

easo

nabl

e ac

com

mo-

datio

n be

nee

ded

for

the

appl

icat

ion

proc

ess

(e.g

., in

ter-

pret

er a

cces

sibi

lity,

writ

ing

aids

,tr

ansp

orta

tion,

etc

.)?

El W

ith th

e pr

esen

t voc

atio

nal

obje

ctiv

e, w

hat n

eeds

can

be

pred

icte

d to

per

form

the

"es-

sent

ial f

unct

ions

" of

the

job?

0 W

ill th

e pr

esen

t liv

ing

arra

nge-

men

ts c

hang

e w

hen

plac

emen

tis

ach

ieve

d? H

ow?

Will

this

crea

te n

ew te

chno

logy

nee

ds?

CI W

hat i

s un

ique

abo

ut th

ispl

acem

ent (

e.g.

, res

troo

ms,

wor

ksta

tion

and

equi

pmen

tne

eds)

? D

oes

this

wor

k si

tuat

ion

crea

te a

ny n

ew te

chno

logy

or a

ccom

mod

atio

n ne

eds?

ID If

the

tech

nolo

gy n

eed

is n

otm

et, w

ill th

is d

elay

the

plac

emen

t

of th

is c

lient

in e

mpl

oym

ent?

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

15

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

0 In

wha

t ord

er s

houl

d th

e te

ch-

nolo

gy n

eeds

iden

tifie

d fo

r th

isst

atus

be

addr

esse

d?

O A

re th

ere

any

dead

lines

?

O O

ther

than

the

clie

nt a

nd th

eco

unse

lor,

who

els

e sh

ould

be

invo

lved

in s

ettin

g pr

iorit

ies?

0 W

hat i

s th

e im

pact

of t

hese

prio

ritie

s on

job

appl

icat

ion,

job

plac

emen

t or

job

mai

nte-

nanc

e?

Hav

e yo

u co

nsid

ered

. . .

Nex

t tim

e yo

u sc

hedu

le a

n ap

poin

tmen

t with

an

empl

oyer

alon

g to

offe

r su

gges

tions

on

poss

ible

acc

omm

odat

ions

?

Doi

ng a

vid

eo ta

pe jo

b an

alys

is a

nd th

en s

endi

ng th

at to

abe

acc

omm

odat

ed?

Ask

ing

a re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t to

revi

ew e

ssen

tial j

ob fu

nctio

ns?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

O W

hat t

echn

olog

y sp

ecia

lists

shou

ld b

e in

volv

ed a

nd w

hat

form

sho

uld

this

invo

lvem

ent

take

?

O C

an p

oten

tial e

mpl

oyer

and

/or

clie

nt s

olve

the

tech

nolo

gy c

on-

cern

?

O W

hat s

teps

are

nee

ded

to a

d-

0 Is

ther

e a

plan

for

com

plet

ing

each

ste

p?

0 W

ho w

ill fu

nd th

e te

chno

logy

?

O H

as th

e cl

ient

bee

n in

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

und

erst

and

his/

her

resp

onsi

bilit

ies?

0 H

as th

e em

ploy

er b

een

in-

dres

s th

e te

chno

logy

con

cern

s?vo

lved

? D

oes

he/s

he u

nder

-st

and

his/

her

resp

onsi

bilit

ies?

to id

entif

y po

tent

ial j

obs,

to b

ring

a re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

-spe

cial

ist t

o es

timat

e ho

w a

job

or ta

sk c

ould

wlA

ctio

n ne

eded

:-

ir A

ctio

n re

com

men

ded:

,

If ne

cess

ary,

arr

ange

for

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed s

ervi

ces

to p

rovi

dere

ason

able

acc

omm

odat

ions

nee

ded

for

clie

nts

to p

erfo

rm e

ssen

tial

job

func

tions

Con

duct

a jo

b an

alys

is w

ith r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t if w

ork

site

mod

ifica

tions

are

like

ly

Use

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist i

n jo

b de

velo

pmen

t con

tact

s w

ithem

ploy

ers

0O

ffer

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed te

chni

cal a

ssis

tanc

e to

em

ploy

ers

on a

cces

sibl

ew

ork

stat

ions

, uni

vers

al d

esig

n co

nsid

erat

ions

, etc

.

187

188

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

16

_.

__T

E77

7lo

s

Wha

t to

acco

mpl

ish:

Prio

r to

clo

sing

any

cas

e, d

ocum

ent w

hat,

if an

y, u

se w

as m

ade

of r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

or

serv

ices

.

It is

impo

rtan

t tha

t ind

ivid

uals

who

rec

eive

voc

atio

nal r

ehab

ilita

tion

serv

ices

be

give

n ev

ery

oppo

rtun

itypo

ssib

le to

suc

ceed

. Reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s ca

n be

a k

ey fa

ctor

for

man

y in

divi

dual

s. T

EC

HP

OIN

T 6

is a

n im

port

ant t

ime

to r

evie

w w

hat i

mpa

ct te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s ha

d on

out

com

es. E

ven

if th

eou

tcom

e w

as u

nsuc

cess

ful,

it is

impo

rtan

t to

see

if te

chno

logy

inte

rven

tion

at a

diff

eren

t poi

nt w

ould

have

mad

e a

diffe

renc

e.

Pha

se in

the

Reh

abili

tatio

n P

roce

ss

(Sta

tus

08, 2

6, 2

8, 3

0, 3

4)

TE

C. F

ON

T

Clo

sure

Out

com

es

08 26 28 30 34

Doc

umen

ting

Con

side

ratio

ns a

nd/o

r U

se o

f Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y

Clo

sure

of a

VR

cas

e re

quire

s do

cum

enta

tion

of th

e se

rvic

es a

nd a

ssis

tanc

e pr

ovid

ed to

eac

h cl

ient

. For

suc

cess

ful c

losu

res,

it is

impo

rtan

t to

reco

rd th

ose

tech

nolo

gy in

terv

entio

ns th

at h

ad a

n im

pact

on

succ

essf

ul e

mpl

oym

ent.

Car

eful

rev

iew

of t

echn

olog

y in

terv

entio

n at

clo

sure

can

help

a c

ouns

elor

lear

n

wha

t wor

ks b

est i

n de

alin

g w

ith te

chno

logy

issu

es.

It is

impo

rtan

t to

also

rev

iew

all

tech

nolo

gy in

terv

entio

ns fo

r un

succ

essf

ul c

losu

res

as w

ell.

Doc

umen

tatio

nhe

lps

colle

ct in

form

atio

n w

hich

can

be

used

to d

eter

min

e if

tech

nolo

gy u

se h

ad a

ny im

pact

on

outc

omes

.

The

follo

win

g tw

o se

ts o

f Tec

hnol

ogy

Inte

rven

tion

Pre

para

tion

Ste

ps r

evie

w w

hat i

s ne

eded

to e

nsur

e th

at a

ppro

pria

te u

se w

as m

ade

of r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy fo

r bo

th u

nsuc

cess

ful

as w

ell a

s su

cces

sful

clo

sure

s.It

is p

ossi

ble

that

spe

cific

sta

tus

code

num

bers

will

var

y in

som

e V

R p

rogr

ams.

The

impo

rtan

t con

cern

is th

at a

nytim

e so

meo

ne e

xits

VR

ser

vice

sth

at a

quic

k re

view

be

mad

e to

ver

ify w

hat r

ole

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

pla

yed.

189

TE

CH

PO

INT

190

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

17

For

Suc

cess

ful C

losu

res

(26,

34)

Env

ironm

ents

VT

(

191

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

0 R

evie

w p

ossi

ble

chal

leng

esth

is d

isab

ility

may

cre

ate

inm

aint

aini

ng s

ucce

ssfu

l em

ploy

-m

ent.

CI W

ould

tech

nolo

gy p

oten

tially

assi

st th

e cl

ient

in o

verc

omin

gth

ese

chal

leng

es?

O D

oes

the

appl

ican

t hav

e co

n-ce

rns

abou

t usi

ng te

chno

logy

inan

y en

viro

nmen

t?

O D

oes

the

empl

oyer

hav

e co

n-ce

rns

abou

t the

clie

nt u

sing

tech

nolo

gy o

n th

e jo

b?

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

CI I

n w

hat o

rder

sho

uld

the

tech

-no

logy

nee

ds id

entif

ied

for

this

stat

us b

e ad

dres

sed?

O A

re th

ere

any

dead

lines

?

0 C

an th

e co

ncer

ns b

e re

solv

edin

a r

easo

nabl

e tim

e fr

ame?

CI I

s em

ploy

men

t in

jeop

ardy

ifno

t sol

ved

imm

edia

tely

?

0 Is

ther

e a

tem

pora

ry s

olut

ion

that

will

wor

k un

til a

mor

e pe

r-m

anen

t sol

utio

n is

foun

d?

CI O

ther

than

the

empl

oyer

, the

clie

nt a

nd th

e co

unse

lor,

who

else

sho

uld

be in

volv

ed in

set

-tin

g pr

iorit

ies?

O W

hat i

s th

e im

pact

of s

ettin

gth

ese

prio

ritie

s in

term

s of

peop

le, h

ealth

, mon

ey, a

genc

ygu

idel

ines

or

empl

oym

ent?

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

0 Is

the

clie

nt m

eetin

g jo

b ex

pec-

tatio

ns a

nd p

erfo

rmin

g th

e`e

ssen

tial f

unct

ions

" of

the

job?

If n

ot, w

hy n

ot (

e.g.

, spe

ed,

lack

of s

kills

, ina

bilit

y to

use

equi

pmen

t, et

c.)?

Wou

ld te

ch-

nolo

gy o

r ac

com

mod

atio

nshe

lp th

e cl

ient

mee

t per

for-

man

ce r

equi

rem

ents

?

O C

an th

e em

ploy

er a

nd c

lient

pin

-po

int t

he ta

sk w

hich

is c

reat

ing

the

prob

lem

? W

hat s

olut

ions

have

bee

n tr

ied

or c

on-

side

red?

Wou

ld te

chno

logy

or

acco

mm

odat

ions

hel

p th

ecl

ient

ove

rcom

e th

e pr

oble

m?

O D

oes

the

com

pany

hav

e ot

her

empl

oyee

s w

ho m

ay b

e ab

leto

mak

e th

e ac

com

mod

atio

n(e

.g.,

a te

chni

cal p

erso

n on

sta

ff,in

-hou

se m

aint

enan

ce, e

tc.)

?

O A

re th

ere

any

antic

ipat

ed p

ost-

empl

oym

ent n

eeds

that

may

invo

lve

tech

nolo

gy?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

O W

hat t

echn

olog

y sp

ecia

lists

shou

ld b

e in

volv

ed a

nd w

hat

form

sho

uld

this

invo

lvem

ent

take

?

O C

an th

e em

ploy

er a

nd/o

r cl

ient

solv

e th

e te

chno

logy

con

cern

s?

O W

hat s

teps

are

nee

ded

toad

dres

s th

e te

chno

logy

con

-ce

rns?

O Is

ther

e a

plan

for

com

plet

ing

each

ste

p?

Cl H

as th

e cl

ient

bee

n in

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

und

erst

and

his/

her

resp

onsi

bilit

ies?

O H

as th

e em

ploy

er b

een

in-

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

und

er-

stan

d hi

s/he

r re

spon

sibi

litie

s?

192

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

18

For

Uns

ucce

ssfu

l Clo

sure

s (0

8, 2

8, 3

0)

Env

ironm

ents

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

O R

evie

w c

halle

nges

whi

ch th

is0

Doe

s th

e ap

plic

ant h

ave

disa

bilit

y cr

eate

d in

con

side

ring

conc

erns

abo

ut u

sing

tech

nol-

voca

tiona

l reh

abili

tatio

n po

ten-

ogy?

tial.

0 W

ould

tech

nolo

gy p

oten

tially

assi

st th

e cl

ient

in o

verc

omin

gth

ese

chal

leng

es?

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

O W

ere

all p

eopl

e w

ho n

eede

dto

be

invo

lved

, ade

quat

ely

invo

lved

in a

tim

ely

and

appr

o-pr

iate

fash

ion?

If n

ot, i

nvol

veth

e ap

prop

riate

peo

ple

prio

r to

clos

ure.

0 W

as th

e te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist

cons

ulte

d in

an

appr

opria

tean

d tim

ely

fash

ion?

If n

ot, c

on-

side

r th

is c

onsu

ltatio

n pr

ior

tocl

osur

e.

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

0 W

ere

poss

ible

impa

cts

ofte

chno

logy

on

hom

e, c

omm

u-ni

ty, s

choo

l/tra

inin

g an

d w

ork

envi

ronm

ents

con

side

red?

0 H

as th

e us

e of

tech

nolo

gybe

nefit

ted

the

clie

nt?

O W

ere

all f

undi

ng o

ptio

nssi

dere

d?co

n-

O D

id th

e cl

ient

or

coun

selo

r'sat

titud

e to

war

d te

chno

logy

affe

ct th

e ou

tcom

e fo

r th

iscl

ient

? H

ave

all a

ltern

ativ

esbe

en c

onsi

dere

d?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

0 W

hat s

teps

can

be

take

n at

this

poin

t to

prev

ent u

nsuc

cess

ful

clos

ure?

O H

as th

e ap

plic

ant/c

lient

bee

nin

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

und

er-

stan

d th

e re

ason

for

clos

ure?

itr A

ctio

line

eded

:A

ctio

non r

ecom

men

iiIA

'ti-

''''de

d

Doc

umen

t con

side

ratio

n an

d us

e of

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

and

ser

vice

son

app

ropr

iate

clo

sure

form

s

For

clie

nts

with

ext

ensi

ve te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

nee

ds, c

onsi

der

post

-em

ploy

men

t ser

vice

s fo

r fo

llow

-up

beyo

nd th

e 60

day

per

iod.

For

suc

cess

ful c

losu

res,

ref

er c

lient

to o

ther

sou

rces

for

tech

nolo

gy n

eeds

that

VR

is u

nabl

e to

pro

vide

193

For

uns

ucce

ssfu

l clo

sure

s w

ith u

nmet

tech

nolo

gy n

eeds

, ref

er c

lient

toot

her

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed p

rogr

ams

that

may

be

able

to p

rovi

deas

sist

ance

194

BE

ST C

OPY

AV

MB

ILE

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

19

TE

CH

PO

INT

S a

s a

Cou

nsel

ing

Too

l

Thr

ough

use

of T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

, VR

cou

nsel

ors

shou

ld b

e ab

le to

mak

e te

chno

logy

res

ourc

es a

nd s

ervi

ces

a re

gula

r co

nsid

erat

ion

as th

ey w

ork

with

clie

nts.

The

inte

ract

ive

proc

ess

of d

iscu

ssin

g ch

alle

nges

con

fron

ting

clie

nts

and

expl

orin

g if

tech

nolo

gy in

terv

entio

ns a

re a

ppro

pria

te w

ill h

elp

enha

nce

resp

onsi

vene

ss to

indi

vidu

al c

lient

nee

ds.

TIP

S fo

r C

onsi

derin

g T

echn

olog

y In

terv

entio

ns

Sev

eral

logi

cal s

teps

rel

ted

to c

onsi

derin

g re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy h

ave

been

dev

elop

ed. T

hese

Tec

hnol

ogy

Inte

rven

tion

Pre

para

tion

Ste

ps (

TIP

S)

canb

e

used

at e

ach

TE

CH

PO

INT

. The

se s

teps

will

hel

p bu

ild th

e co

unse

lor's

con

fiden

ce in

ser

ving

clie

nts

who

may

nee

d re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces.

TIP

Sof

fers

a p

ract

ical

way

of t

hink

ing

abou

t the

nee

d fo

r te

chno

logy

. Man

y co

unse

lors

will

find

the

syst

em to

be

very

clo

se to

the

proc

ess

that

they

hav

e al

read

y

used

and

foun

d to

wor

k su

cces

sful

ly in

cas

e de

velo

pmen

t. T

he s

yste

m is

-us

er fr

iend

ly-

for

coun

selo

rs w

ho a

re n

ot q

uite

sur

e w

here

to s

tart

whe

n a

pers

on

need

s re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces.

TIP

S s

houl

d he

lp o

rgan

ize

thou

ghts

con

cern

ing

tech

nolo

gy s

o th

at g

ettin

g st

arte

d is

eas

ier.

Alth

ough

the

ques

tions

and

sug

gest

ions

for

TIP

S v

ary

for

each

TE

CH

PO

INT

, the

y fo

llow

the

sam

e ba

sic

patte

rn:

P pPre

para

tion

pInt

erve

ntio

n

Tec

hnol

ogy

Firs

t,ge

nera

l cha

lleng

es a

nd p

robl

ems

a cl

ient

may

face

and

pos

sibl

e te

chno

logy

con

cern

s sh

ould

be

iden

tifie

d;

Sec

ond,

indi

vidu

aliz

e th

e cl

ient

's te

chno

logy

cha

lleng

es a

nd c

once

rns;

Thi

rd,

if te

chno

logy

inte

rven

tion

seem

s ap

prop

riate

, prio

ritiz

e ho

w to

bes

t pro

ceed

; and

Fou

rth,

iden

tify

spec

ific

step

s an

d pl

an o

f act

ion

to a

rran

ge fo

r th

e te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s.

The

re is

no

right

or

wro

ng w

ay to

use

thes

e st

eps.

Usi

ng th

e st

eps

to c

onsi

der

each

tech

nolo

gy c

once

rn a

nd k

eepi

ng e

ach

envi

ronm

ent i

n m

ind

can

redu

ce

frus

trat

ion.

Invo

lvin

g a

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist a

t the

app

ropr

iate

tim

e, s

houl

d sa

ve ti

me,

and

mon

ey, a

nd im

prov

e se

rvic

e de

liver

y.

195

196

TE

CH

PO

INT

SG

uide

20

Pos

t-E

mia

l

t!Il'g

hat t

o ac

com

plis

h:

Rev

iew

nee

d fo

r re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

and

ser

vice

s fo

r cl

ient

s to

mai

ntai

n em

ploy

men

t, id

entif

ying

thos

e in

divi

dual

s w

ho a

re a

t ris

k of

losi

ng th

eir

job

due

to te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

pro

blem

s.

Ste

ps

o

Env

ironm

ents

1:71

1L.

TE

CH

NO

LOG

Y(T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns

Iden

tifie

d)

Cl H

ave

any

"maj

or li

fe a

ctiv

ities

"or

"es

sent

ial f

unct

ions

" of

the

job

chan

ged?

If s

o, d

id th

isre

sult

in a

nee

d fo

r ch

ange

inte

chno

logy

?

C1

Wou

ld te

chno

logy

pot

entia

llyas

sist

in o

verc

omin

g th

ese

chal

leng

es?

CI D

oes

the

clie

nt h

ave

conc

erns

abou

t the

use

of t

echn

olog

y?

CI D

oes

the

empl

oyer

hav

eco

ncer

ns a

bout

the

use

ofte

chno

logy

on

the

job?

197

BE

ST

CO

PY

AV

AIL

AB

LE

Pha

se in

the

Reh

abili

tatio

n P

roce

ss

(Sta

tus

32)

34C

LOS

UR

E

INT

ER

VE

NT

ION

(Ind

ivid

ualiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

CI W

hat a

re th

e cl

ient

's te

chno

l-og

y co

ncer

ns?

Do

they

diff

erfr

om th

e em

ploy

er's

con

cern

?W

hat c

ause

d th

is c

once

rn to

be a

n is

sue

for

empl

oym

ent?

C1

Are

any

of t

he te

chno

logy

conc

erns

a d

irect

thre

at to

empl

oym

ent?

CI I

f the

hea

lth o

f the

clie

nt is

aco

ncer

n, w

ould

tech

nolo

gyin

terv

entio

n be

app

ropr

iate

/us

eful

?

198

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

21

TE

CH

PO

INT

PR

EP

AR

AT

ION

(Prio

ritiz

e T

echn

olog

y C

once

rns)

O In

wha

t ord

er s

houl

d th

e te

ch-

nolo

gy n

eeds

iden

tifie

d fo

r th

isst

atus

be

addr

esse

d?

O A

re th

ere

any

dead

lines

?

CI C

an th

e co

ncer

ns b

e re

solv

edin

a r

easo

nabl

e tim

e fr

ame?

O Is

em

ploy

men

t in

jeop

ardy

ifno

t sol

ved

imm

edia

tely

?

O Is

ther

e a

tem

pora

ry s

olut

ion

that

will

wor

k un

til a

mor

e pe

r-m

anen

t sol

utio

n is

foun

d?

O O

ther

than

the

empl

oyer

, the

clie

nt a

nd th

e co

unse

lor,

who

else

sho

uld

be in

volv

ed in

set

ting

prio

ritie

s?

ST

EP

S(S

teps

for

Add

ress

ing

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

cern

s)

O C

an th

e em

ploy

er a

nd/o

rcl

ient

sol

ve th

e te

chno

logy

con

-ce

rn?

O C

an e

mpl

oyer

and

clie

nt s

olve

the

tech

nolo

gy c

once

rns

with

refe

rral

to o

ther

res

ourc

es?

O W

hat t

echn

olog

y sp

ecia

lists

shou

ld b

e in

volv

ed a

nd w

hat

form

sho

uld

this

invo

lvem

ent

take

?

O W

hat s

teps

are

nee

ded

to a

d-dr

ess

thet

echn

olog

ycon

cern

s?

CI I

s th

ere

a pl

an fo

r co

mpl

etin

gea

ch s

tep?

O H

as th

e cl

ient

bee

n in

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

und

erst

and

his/

her

resp

onsi

bilit

ies?

CI H

as th

e em

ploy

er b

een

in-

volv

ed?

Doe

s he

/she

nee

d to

be

invo

lved

?

O W

ho w

ill fu

nd th

e te

chno

logy

?

O W

ill p

ost-

empl

oym

ent s

ervi

ces

be n

eede

d or

will

a n

ew V

R c

ase

be o

pene

d?

Rem

embe

r th

at p

ost-

empl

oym

ent a

ssis

tanc

e ca

n be

ess

entia

l for

man

yte

chno

logy

use

rs

Pos

t-em

ploy

men

t nee

ds c

an s

omet

ime

be a

ntic

ipat

ed a

t the

tim

e of

clo

sure

.It

is r

eass

urin

g fo

r th

e cl

ient

and

the

empl

oyer

that

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

ser

vice

s ar

e av

aila

ble

shou

ld th

ey b

e ne

eded

. Thi

s ca

n be

an

exce

llent

tool

for

enha

ncin

g jo

b pl

ace-

men

t. It

shou

ld b

e de

term

ined

how

ever

if th

is is

with

in th

e re

spon

sibi

lity

of w

hatt

he V

R a

genc

y ca

n be

exp

ecte

d to

pro

vide

. In

man

y

situ

atio

ns th

is w

ill b

e th

e re

spon

sibi

lity

of th

e in

divi

dual

or

poss

ibly

thei

r em

ploy

erun

der

reas

onab

le a

ccom

mod

atio

ns a

s pa

rt o

f

the

Am

eric

ans

with

Dis

abili

ties

Act

.

if A

ctio

n ne

eded

:ir

Act

ion

reco

mm

ende

d:

If te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

pro

blem

s ar

e id

entif

ied,

arr

ange

for

serv

ices

Arr

ange

for

tech

nolo

gy c

onsu

ltatio

n se

rvic

es fo

r em

ploy

ers

who

are

usin

g po

st-e

mpl

oym

ent o

r op

en a

new

cas

ew

illin

g to

mak

e ad

ditio

nal a

ccom

mod

atio

ns

4 "

ri

Rec

omm

end

othe

r op

tions

to c

lient

s fo

r te

chno

logy

-rel

ated

nee

dsw

hich

VR

is u

nabl

e to

ass

ist

200

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

22

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y S

ervi

ce P

rovi

ders

Iden

tific

atio

n of

qua

lifie

d se

rvic

e pr

ovid

ers

is e

ssen

tial f

or a

ny r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ce a

ctiv

ity. T

echn

olog

ysp

ecia

lists

are

ofte

n em

ploy

ed

dire

ctly

by

man

y V

R a

genc

ies.

How

ever

eve

n in

VR

age

ncie

s w

ith w

ell d

evel

oped

ser

vice

del

iver

y pr

ogra

ms,

ther

e us

ually

are

spe

cial

ized

ser

vice

s th

at

are

not p

rovi

ded

by V

R s

taff.

Veh

icle

mod

ifica

tion,

aug

men

tativ

eco

mm

unic

atio

n ai

ds a

nd fa

bric

atio

n of

equ

ipm

ent a

re c

omm

on e

xam

ples

. The

re o

ften

are

cons

ulta

nts

or o

ther

spe

cial

ists

ava

ilabl

e w

ho o

ffer

thes

e se

rvic

es o

n a

stat

ewid

e ba

sis.

Reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

sup

plie

rs, a

lso

know

n as

the

DM

E

deal

ers,

are

ano

ther

a k

ey p

art o

f the

ser

vice

del

iver

y st

ruct

ure.

Nam

es a

nd in

form

atio

n of

sta

te a

nd lo

cal c

onta

cts:

Fin

ding

rel

iabl

e re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy p

rovi

ders

who

offe

r th

e ne

eded

ran

ge o

f pro

duct

s an

d su

ppor

t ser

vice

s is

a v

ery

impo

rtan

t par

t of t

he c

ouns

e-

lors

rol

e in

coo

rdin

atin

g re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ce a

ctiv

ities

.

Nam

eA

ddre

ssP

hone

Fax

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y S

ervi

ce

201

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

23

202

In a

ppro

achi

ng e

mpl

oyer

s w

here

job

acco

mm

odat

ions

are

nee

ded:

Wha

t will

the

empl

oyer

do

for

acco

mm

odat

ions

?

Are

ther

e re

ques

ts fo

r ac

com

mod

atio

ns th

at th

e em

ploy

er is

unw

illin

g to

pro

vide

?

If th

ere

are

job

mat

ch p

robl

ems,

are

the

prob

lem

s w

ith

the

indi

vidu

al

phys

ical

env

ironm

ent

esse

ntia

l job

task

s

wor

k st

atio

n

othe

r

Wou

ld th

e us

e of

tech

nolo

gy r

esou

rces

or

serv

ices

sol

ve th

e pr

oble

m?

Are

ther

e es

sent

ial f

unct

ions

of j

ob th

at th

e cl

ient

can

not p

erfo

rm?

Has

a jo

b an

alys

is b

een

com

plet

ed?

Sho

uld

a re

habi

litat

ion

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t be

calle

d in

?

Sev

eral

res

ourc

es w

hich

cou

ld b

e us

eful

in e

xplo

ring

job

acco

mm

odat

ion

optio

ns in

clud

e:

The

Wor

kpla

ce W

orkb

ook

Mue

ller,

J. (

1990

)

An

Illus

trat

ed G

uide

to J

obA

ccom

mod

atio

nan

d A

ssis

tive

Tec

hnol

ogy,

Dol

e F

ound

atio

n:W

ashi

ngto

n D

C

The

Job

Pla

cem

ent-

AD

A C

onne

ctio

nP

imen

tel,

R. (

1993

)

Milt

Wrig

ht &

Ass

oc.

Am

eric

ans

with

Dis

abili

ties

Act

Han

dboo

kE

qual

Em

ploy

men

t Opp

ortu

nity

Com

mis

sion

and

the

U.S

.

Dep

artm

ent o

f Jus

tice

U.S

. Gov

ernm

ent P

rintin

g O

ffice

Sup

erin

tend

ent o

f Doc

umen

ts

Mai

l Sto

p: S

SO

P

Was

hing

ton,

DC

204

02-9

328

For

mor

e in

form

atio

n on

job

acco

mm

odat

ions

and

oth

er r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy r

elat

ed r

esou

rces

, see

Sec

tion

13 R

ehab

ilita

tion

Tec

h-no

logy

Res

ourc

es a

nd T

rain

ing,

in th

e T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

Tra

inin

g M

anua

l.

203

204

TE

CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

24

11#

Pto

,51.

1

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y In

form

atio

nR

esou

rces

and

Dat

abas

es

The

follo

win

g is

a p

artia

l res

ourc

e lis

t for

cen

ters

, nat

iona

l org

aniz

atio

ns, a

nd in

form

atio

n ne

twor

ks r

elat

ed to

appl

icat

ions

of r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy.

Info

rmat

ion

on s

ervi

ces,

pro

duct

s, p

ublic

atio

ns, a

nd te

chno

logy

rel

ated

issu

es is

mad

e av

aila

ble

thro

ugh

thes

e ce

nter

s.

Abl

edat

a P

rodu

ctIn

form

atio

n D

atab

ase

MA

CR

O S

yste

ms,

Inc.

8455

Col

esvi

lle R

oad

Silv

er S

prin

g, M

D 2

0910

-331

9(3

01)-

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9284

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1-34

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42

Ext

ensi

ve c

olle

ctio

n of

ove

r 20

,000

com

mer

-ci

ally

ava

ilabl

e as

sist

ive

tech

nolo

gy a

ids

and

devi

ces.

Acc

ent o

n In

form

atio

nP

.O. B

ox 7

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loom

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on, I

L. 6

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61

Info

rmat

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mer

pro

duct

s an

dap

plic

atio

ns o

f tec

hnol

ogy

from

the

cons

umer

's p

ersp

ectiv

e.

Arc

hite

ctur

al a

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rans

port

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nB

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rs -

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plia

nce

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Was

hing

ton,

DC

200

36-3

894

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653-

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(Tec

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ervi

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205

Ass

ocia

tion

of P

erso

ns in

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mpl

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AP

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Ric

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Pro

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info

rmat

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bco

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ncla

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w s

uper

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all b

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Coo

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Com

mun

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con

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3705

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nive

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chno

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vide

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form

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Reh

abili

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hnol

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Ass

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chno

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app

licat

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disa

bilit

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NID

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es th

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erat

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of T

ech

Act

pro

ject

s w

hich

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stin

all

stat

es. T

hese

cen

ters

and

pro

ject

s ar

eex

celle

nt r

esou

rces

for

curr

ent i

nfor

mat

ion

on th

e en

tire

field

of r

ehab

ilita

tion

and

assi

stiv

e te

chno

logy

.

For

mor

e in

form

atio

n co

ntac

t:

Nat

iona

l Ins

titut

e on

Dis

abili

tyan

d R

ehab

ilita

tion

Res

earc

hO

ffice

of S

peci

al E

duca

tion

and

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abili

tatio

n S

ervi

ces

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f Edu

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202

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OD

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CH

PO

INT

S G

uide

25

206

Som

e ap

plic

atio

ns o

f tec

hnol

ogy

serv

ices

to c

onsi

der

usin

g:

The

re a

re m

any

way

s th

at a

VR

cou

nsel

or m

ight

use

the

serv

ices

of a

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist t

opr

ovid

e a

tech

nolo

gy in

terv

entio

n to

hel

p

addr

ess

prob

lem

s or

con

cern

s th

at a

n in

divi

dual

with

a d

isab

ility

mig

ht e

ncou

nter

. A te

chno

logy

inte

rven

tion

is s

impl

y us

ing

reha

bilit

atio

n te

chno

logy

reso

urce

s or

ser

vice

s as

a p

robl

em-s

olvi

ng to

ol to

hel

p fin

d w

ays

to o

verc

ome

func

tiona

l lim

itatio

ns. T

hese

cou

ld in

clud

e:

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

sulta

tion

Sch

ool/T

rain

ing

Acc

omm

odat

ions

Acc

omm

odat

ions

in th

e ev

alua

tion/

asse

ssm

ent p

roce

ssJo

b/w

ork

Site

Acc

omm

odat

ions

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y A

sses

smen

tJo

b D

evel

opm

ent/F

easi

bilit

y S

tudi

es

Hom

e/In

depe

nden

t Liv

ing

Acc

omm

odat

ions

Rep

air/

Mai

nten

ance

Ser

vice

s

Her

e is

a li

the

mor

e in

form

atio

n on

som

e of

the

way

s th

at a

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t mig

ht b

e us

ed:

Tec

hnol

ogy

Con

sulta

tion

Info

rmal

dis

cuss

ion

with

a r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy s

peci

alis

t to

expl

ore

poss

ible

use

of r

ehab

ilita

tion

tech

nolo

gy s

ervi

ces

typi

cally

a te

leph

one

call

or a

brie

f mee

ting

prov

ides

qui

ck in

form

atio

n on

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

opt

ions

very

hel

pful

in m

akin

g ef

fect

ive

tech

nolo

gy-r

elat

ed d

ecis

ions

Reh

abili

tatio

n T

echn

olog

y A

sses

smen

tA

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

spe

cial

ist o

r te

am o

f spe

cial

ists

can

be

used

to a

sses

s th

efu

nctio

nal c

apab

ilitie

s ne

cess

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to p

erfo

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peci

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sks

or

activ

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pro

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lim

itatio

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ecom

men

d ap

prop

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reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

ser

vice

sw

hen

need

ed

look

s at

ove

rall

func

tioni

ng in

env

ironm

ents

(ho

me,

wor

k, e

tc)

spec

ific

need

s su

ch a

s co

mm

unic

atio

n, s

eatin

g/po

sitio

ning

, com

pute

r ac

cess

, etc

.as

sess

men

t may

be

need

ed s

ever

al ti

mes

in th

e re

habi

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proc

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Job

Dev

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iviti

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he r

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ilita

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tech

nolo

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wor

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ana

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wor

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s to

iden

tify

poss

ible

use

of r

ehab

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tion

tech

nol-

ogy

serv

ices

or

reso

urce

s to

enh

ance

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r em

ploy

ing

pers

ons

with

dis

abili

ties.

feas

ibili

ty s

tudi

es to

est

imat

e th

e co

st/b

enef

it of

reh

abili

tatio

n te

chno

logy

addr

ess

prob

lem

s of

rep

etiti

ve m

otio

n, li

fting

inju

ries,

etc

.20

8ex

plor

e un

iver

sal d

esig

n co

nsid

erat

ions

to a

ccom

mod

ate

all w

orke

rs20

7T

EC

H P

OIN

TS

Gui

de26

EN

VIR

ON

ME

NT

ST

he n

eed

for

tech

nolo

gy in

terv

entio

ns s

houl

d be

con

side

red

for

all e

nviro

nmen

ts th

at in

divi

dual

s m

ay fu

nctio

n in

.

TE

CH

PO

INT

S in

clud

e:

HO

ME

Tec

hnol

ogy

can

be u

sed

to a

ddre

ss in

depe

nden

t liv

ing

acco

mm

odat

ions

invo

lvin

g a

pers

on's

res

iden

ce s

uch

as:

desi

gn/c

onst

ruct

ion

of a

ram

p,

wid

enin

g of

doo

rs, o

r

assi

stiv

e ai

ds to

per

form

act

iviti

es s

uch

as fo

od p

repa

ratio

n,

eatin

g, o

r dr

essi

ng.

CO

MM

UN

ITY

Act

iviti

es in

volv

ing

pers

ons

with

dis

abili

ties

and

thei

r in

tera

ctio

n

with

the

com

mun

ity c

ould

be

enha

nced

thro

ugh

the

use

of te

chno

logy

suc

h as

:

curb

cut

s, r

amps

,

publ

ic tr

ansp

orta

tion,

etc

.

acce

ss to

pub

lic b

uild

ings

VO

CA

TIO

NA

L R

EH

AB

ILIT

AT

ION

The

impa

ct o

f tec

hnol

ogy

for

indi

vidu

als

as th

ey ta

ke p

art i

nvo

catio

nal r

ehab

ilita

tion

serv

ices

cou

ld in

volv

e:

gene

ral a

cces

sibi

lity,

wor

k st

atio

n,

acco

mm

odat

ions

,

alte

rnat

e fo

rmat

s fo

r te

stin

g an

d ev

alua

tion

task

, or

read

ing/

writ

ing

aids

.

209

Env

ironm

ents

that

are

ref

erre

d to

in

SC

HO

OL/

TR

AIN

ING

Tec

hnol

ogy

can

enha

nce

the

com

patib

ility

of t

he p

erso

n w

ith a

disa

bilit

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d th

eir

scho

ol/tr

aini

ng s

ite b

y ac

com

mod

atio

nssu

ch a

s: build

ing

and

cam

pus

acce

ssib

ility

,

labo

rato

ry o

r w

ork

stat

ion

mod

ifica

tion

need

s; o

r

the

need

for

mob

ility

aid

s, o

r co

mm

unic

atio

n de

vice

s

JOB

/WO

RK

SIT

E

The

use

of t

echn

olog

y se

rvic

es to

ena

ble

a w

orke

r w

ith a

disa

bilit

y to

per

form

ess

entia

l job

func

tions

at t

heir

empl

oym

ent

site

or

impr

ove

the

abili

ty to

obt

ain,

mai

ntai

n, o

r ad

vanc

e in

empl

oym

ent b

y:

cons

ider

ing

mod

ifica

tions

, ada

ptat

ions

or

adju

stm

ents

toin

divi

dual

wor

k st

atio

ns s

uch

as r

earr

ange

men

t of p

rodu

c-

tion

lines

or

mod

ifica

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of to

ols

or e

quip

men

t, or

cons

ider

ing

assi

stiv

e de

vice

s w

hich

mig

ht e

nabl

e th

e pe

rson

bette

r pe

rfor

m e

ssen

tial j

ob ta

sks.

21.0

Cen

ter

for

Reh

abili

tatio

nT

echn

olog

y S

ervi

ces

Sou

th C

arol

ina

Voc

atio

nal R

ehab

ilita

tion

Dep

artm

ent

P. C

harle

s La

Ros

a Jr

.

Com

mis

sion

er

1410

-C B

osto

n A

veW

est C

olum

bia,

Sou

th C

arol

ina

2917

0

(803

) 82

2-53

62 V

oice

/TD

D(8

03)

822-

4301

FA

X

E-m

ail r

erc-

vr@

scsn

.net

As

requ

ired

by P

rovi

so 1

29.5

5, th

e C

ente

r fo

r R

ehab

ilita

tion

Tec

hnol

ogy

Ser

vice

s re

port

s th

at it

prin

ted

1,50

0 co

pies

of th

is r

efer

ence

man

ual f

or a

cos

t of $

3,16

2.00

at a

cos

t of $

2.10

per

cop

y.

2121

2