<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Script MT Bold";
panose-1:3 4 6 2 4 6 7 8 9 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold";
panose-1:2 15 7 4 3 5 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> CT-NFB [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Al Sylvestre via CT-NFB<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, May 22, 2020 2:45 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Connecticut Mailing List <ct-nfb@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Al Sylvestre <al.geographe@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [CT-NFB] FW: Agenda for 6-18-20 Meeting of Advisory Board for Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired posted and attached<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>On behalf of Chairperson Sylvestre, please see below:</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>Good afternoon, Advisory Board members. </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>I hope this note finds you well and safe, </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>I write to draw your attention to the 18 June 2020 Advisory Board meeting agenda item entitled <i>VR Policy for Personal Adjustment Programs</i>. Informed discussion of this agenda item requires familiarity with the relevant VR policy as well as the resolution passed by the National Federation of the Blind of CT on 7 April 2020, both of which appear below. As the advisory board chairman, I ask that each of you review the policy and the resolution in advance of the Advisory Board meeting. The following link offers more in-depth information on the topic: </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fimages%2Fnfb%2Fpublications%2Fjbir%2Fjbir17%2Fjbir070202.html&data=01%7C01%7CBrian.Sigman%40ct.gov%7C472c188847394cfe619c08d7fe5a4515%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0&sdata=x5TbdXSJajffphQOADYRK5c5NzcR08Jse%2FtX3rzUNIw%3D&reserved=0"><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>On the Duration of Sleepshade Training in the Adjustment to Blindness</span></b></a></span><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>. </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:.5in;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>I Wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Script MT Bold";color:#17365D'>Al</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Script MT Bold";color:#17365D'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Script MT Bold";color:#17365D'>Al Sylvestre</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Chairman</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Aging and Disability</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Advisory Board for </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Persons Who are </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Blind or Visually Impaired</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><u><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>VR Policy: Personal Adjustment Training </span></u></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'> </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>Personal Adjustment Training refers to any training given for one, or a combination, of the following reasons: (A) To assist an individual to acquire personal habits, attitudes, and skills which will enable the individual to function effectively with a disability; (B) To develop or increase work tolerance prior to engaging in pre-employment or vocational training or in employment; (C) To develop work habits and to orient the individual to employment; or (D) To develop skills or techniques for the specific purpose of enabling the individual to compensate for the loss of a member of the body or the loss of a sensory function.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>Prior to making a determination that out of state residential personal adjustment training programs are necessary for achievement of the employment outcome as identified in the Individualized Plan for Employment or subsequent amendment, the client will participate in an independent living evaluation with a Rehabilitation Teacher and a mobility evaluation with an Orientation and Mobility Instructor employed by the Bureau. Services available through an in-state option as documented in the rehabilitation teaching evaluation or mobility evaluation shall be provided by staff of the Bureau. In situations where no feasible in-state option exists to address the client’s employment outcome, the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and client shall review the options available for residential personal adjustment programs in order for the client to make an informed decision. </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>For training at community rehabilitation programs, the Bureau may use the approved fee schedules from other agencies, including rates established by the public Vocational Rehabilitation Programs of the applicable state. In addition, the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitation Services may negotiate and establish rates. </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>Progress reports are required at periodic intervals agreed to between the provider and the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and continued authorizations for training should be based on the demonstration of reasonable progress and the documented need for additional training. </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>The Vocational Rehabilitation Program shall not fund more than 12 weeks of attendance at a residential independent living program, including the assessment period, unless the State Director has preapproved an extension beyond that timeframe. In requesting an extension of funding from the State Director, the vendor must include the following information: </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>(A) The list of skills that were not mastered during the first 10 weeks of attendance;</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>(B) The reason(s) the skills cannot be mastered in the remaining portion of the 12 week period;</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>(C) The basis for concluding that the skills could be mastered with additional training beyond 12 weeks; </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>(D) The anticipated length of time required for the client to master these additional skills; and </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'>(E) The measure that will be used as the benchmark to demonstrate the skills were mastered.</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#FF9900'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:#999999;background:white'>Al</span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 12:58 PM Maryanne Melley via CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid #CCCCCC 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in'><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please see the agenda for June 18, 2020 Advisory Board meeting. There is no mention of our resolution passed at our April board meeting.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want”</span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>From:</b> Sigman, Brian <<a href="mailto:Brian.Sigman@ct.gov" target="_blank">Brian.Sigman@ct.gov</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 21, 2020 9:54 AM<br><b>To:</b> DORS-DL BESB <<a href="mailto:DORS-DLBESB@ct.gov" target="_blank">DORS-DLBESB@ct.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Agenda for 6-18-20 Meeting of Advisory Board for Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired posted and attached<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Good morning everyone.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The agenda for the June 18, 2020 meeting of the Advisory Board for Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired has been posted on the agency website and can be accessed through the link below. The agenda is also attached to this email. IMPORTANT NOTE- This is a teleconference meeting. Instructions on how to access the meeting are included on the agenda. If you require an accommodation such as a sign language interpreter to participate in this meeting, email <a href="mailto:lisa.tanguay@ct.gov" target="_blank">lisa.tanguay@ct.gov</a> by no later than June 3, 2020.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://portal.ct.gov/AgingandDisability/Content-Pages/BOARDS/The-Advisory-Board-for-Persons-who-are-Blind-or-Visually-Impaired" target="_blank">https://portal.ct.gov/AgingandDisability/Content-Pages/BOARDS/The-Advisory-Board-for-Persons-who-are-Blind-or-Visually-Impaired</a></span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>CT-NFB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:CT-NFB@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">CT-NFB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for CT-NFB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/al.geographe%40gmail.com" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/al.geographe%40gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div></div></body></html>