August 4, 1999

 

MEMORANDUM TO ALL RSB STAFF

 

FROM:     Sally Howard, Deputy Director

 

SUBJECT:     Informed Choice Document

 

Enclosed is the Informed Choice document required in the Rehabilitation Act amended 1998, which mandates written information to consumers regarding informed choice.  This document was approved by the Rehabilitation Council, as requested in the Rehabilitation Act.

 

Please distribute to your VR consumers at:

 

*     Application for VR Services.

*     IPE Development.

*     Any other time questions surrounding choice arise.

 

We will be sending a disk to each district so you can have access to braille/large print copies or call Trish and arrange for braille/large print copies.

 

Please let me know if you have questions.

 

Thanks for your time and cooperation!

 

SH:mlg

 

Enclosure

INFORMED CHOICE

REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE BLIND

 

When you apply for, or are eligible to receive, vocational rehabilitation services, through Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB), you have the opportunity as well as the responsibility to make appropriate informed choices during the vocational rehabilitation process.

 

In order to assist you in exercising informed choice, RSB will provide its written information to you in any reasonable medium of your choice (braille, large print, tape, disk, etc.) and will provide other reasonable support services (which could include readers and/or interpreters) and will work with you and, if you choose, your designated representatives and/or family members.

 

RSB will assist you and treat you as an active and full partner in acquiring information which will enable you to exercise informed choice in your vocational rehabilitation process, including the selection of assessment services; employment outcome; the specific vocational rehabilitation services that will assist you to achieve this outcome; who will provide these services; and the location where these services will be provided throughout the vocational rehabilitation process.

 

How we obtain services as well as who provides the  services are subject to state and federal requirements.  It is RSB=s policy to allow you to exercise informed choice in the selection of services and service providers within the boundaries of the state and federal guidelines.

 

Informed choice does not mean unlimited choice but rather refers to choices that lead to a successful employment outcome that is consistent with your strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities.  Vocational Rehabilitation funding comes from the taxpayers of our state and nation, and RSB has a responsibility to the public trust to assure that these monies are spent in a responsible and effective manner.

 

Finally, it is your privilege and responsibility to question RSB decisions you do not understand or believe are not fair.  You may want to begin by calling to discuss your situation with your counselor, teacher, instructor or their district supervisor.  You may also call and discuss your situation with a representative of the Client Assistance Program at 800-392-8667.  You also may at any time after being determined eligible choose to request in writing an administrative review, mediation or fair hearing from the deputy director of RSB.

 

 

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind

P. O. Box 88

Jefferson City, Missouri 65103

Tel: 573-751-4249     Toll  Free:  800-592-6004

 

August 1999