<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:large;color:#ff9900">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif"">On behalf of Chairperson Sylvestre,
please see below:<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Good afternoon, Advisory Board members. <span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I hope this note finds you
well and safe, <span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">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><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" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">On
the Duration of Sleepshade Training in the Adjustment to Blindness</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.
<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I Wish you a safe and
enjoyable holiday weekend. </span></b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";color:blue"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:"Script MT Bold";color:rgb(23,54,93)">Al<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:"Script MT Bold";color:rgb(23,54,93)"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:"Script MT Bold";color:rgb(23,54,93)">Al
Sylvestre<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";color:rgb(31,73,125)">Chairman<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";color:rgb(31,73,125)">Aging and Disability<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";color:rgb(31,73,125)">Advisory Board for <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";color:rgb(31,73,125)">Persons Who are <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";color:rgb(31,73,125)">Blind or Visually Impaired<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";color:rgb(31,73,125)"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><u><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">VR Policy: Personal Adjustment Training <span></span></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">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></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">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></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">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></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">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></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">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></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">(A) The list of skills that were not mastered
during the first 10 weeks of attendance;<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">(B) The reason(s) the skills cannot be
mastered in the remaining portion of the 12 week period;<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">(C) The basis for concluding that the skills
could be mastered with additional training beyond 12 weeks; <span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">(D) The anticipated length of time required
for the client to master these additional skills; and <span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><b><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">(E) The measure that will be used as the
benchmark to demonstrate the skills were mastered.<span></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:105%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span> </span></p>
</div><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="color:rgb(153,153,153)"><font size="4" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><b>Al</b></font></span></span><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">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:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-US"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><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.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Best Regards,<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Maryanne Melley<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">President<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">860-212-5549<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">“Live the Life You Want”<u></u><u></u></span></b></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><div><div style="border-color:rgb(225,225,225) currentcolor currentcolor;border-style:solid none none;border-width:1pt medium medium;padding:3pt 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><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<u></u><u></u></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Good morning everyone.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;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.<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;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><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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</blockquote></div>