[nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations

Mon Mar 7 04:11:23 UTC 2011

Kirt,

I'm no expert but I believe state policies vary.
They place limits on out of state school funding and private/sectarian 
schools.
In my state they do  not approve sectarian schools; additionally if you go 
out of state they will pay up to the highest in state tuition of the most 
expensive state supported school.  Also, if you attend a private school, 
they only pay for so much.  Also, they consider your family's financial 
status if you live with them as most students do; its considered as long as 
your family claims you as a dependent and that can be done til age 21 I 
think.

Yes you have the right to attend any school you want; I attended a private 
school too.  But should VR have to sponsor you anywhere?
You have the right to do many things in this country, but the government 
doesn't always pay for those "rights".
Well VR puts limits on your choice in my state and I'm sure they do in yours 
too.
I agree BYU is a great school; I've heard good things about it.
I won't argue for or against VR paying for religious schools.  I have mixed 
feelings.
Policies are what they are.

To really find out your policy you have to ask your counselor for the policy 
or search for it.  Here is an exerpt
from chapter 9 A of the rehab mannual on College training.

Private and out-of-state colleges and universities
Private and out-of-state colleges and universities can be utilized when the 
same course is available in a Virginia state-supported college; however, the 
college/university must appear on the "approved college list" located in the 
DRS Training and Facilities Manual. Vocational rehabilitation services will 
only sponsor the financially eligible student for up to the amount of 
tuition, fees, and maintenance charged by the most expensive Virginia 
state-supported college or university. The student will be responsible for 
all remaining charges. The highest "state cost" allowable is published 
annually, and is located in the DRS Training and Facilities Manual, Volume 
III.
When college training is provided by an out-of-state college or university, 
the reasons for this must be documented by the counselor on the IPE. When 
specific degree is not available at a Virginia state-supported college or 
university, the out-of-state tuition and fees can be paid in full. Examples 
of degrees that are not offered in Virginia are--orientation and mobility 
and rehabilitation teaching.
Sectarian colleges and universities
A college or university that is determined to be "sectarian" by the 
Commonwealth of Virginia shall not be routinely used by DBVI students. If a 
student chooses to attend a "sectarian" college or university, the VR 
program cannot pay tuition or other fees to that academic institution. 
However, the VR program may purchase equipment, provide reader service, and 
provide any other services for the student that do not result in direct 
payment to the "sectarian" college or university by the agency.
Any college or university that is determined "sectarian" will not appear on 
the "approved college list" located in the DRS Training and Facilities 
Manual, Vol. III.

So there you have it. They do not pay tuition and fees to sectarian schools 
and students are responsible for all other charges for out of state schools, 
charges vr doesn't cover.

Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Kirt Manwaring
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 9:34 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations

Ashley,
  I go to
BYU.  A private religious school.  The academics are great, and it
competes well with state-run universities.  So I don't think that goes
against church and state at all, rehab counselors should pay, within
reason, for the best in-state school for the programs you're planning
on, provided job goals are realistic.  I'm in political science and
BYU fits the bill, never mind that a person should have the right to
attend a religious school should they choose to.
  Best,
Kirt
P.S.  I've had trouble with my counselor in the past, but everything's
good now.  I'd rather not talk about it here, message me off-list if
you'd like.

On 3/6/11, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
> Ashley, I'm attending the Phillips Community College, getting my
> basics out of the way. I'd like to go to IBC, (Indiana Bible College,)
> to pursue my ministry goals. Laura said that Rehab paid for her
> friend's education at a Bible college, so why wouldn't they do that in
> Arkansas? Could it be  because ORU is in Oklahoma? Still, there are no
> Bible colleges worth anything in arkansas. I've switched
> denominations, so ORU wouldn't be for me now. I was AOG, (Assembly of
> God,) then. I'm UPCI, (United Pentecostal Church International,) now.
> Blessings, Joshua
>
> On 3/6/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Joshua,
>> So since you didn't go to ORU where did you go and what was your major?
>> Rj is right; we shouldn't let the state dictate our goals or where we can
>> or
>> can't go to school.
>> I can understand why they didn't pay for your schooling; but they
>> shouldn't
>> discourage that goal; many blind people are pastors and other ministerial
>> things.
>>
>> Ashley
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Joshua Lester
>> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 12:12 AM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations
>>
>> Ashley, If you attended the Karaoke show, last year, you would have
>> heard it. Sarah Alawami could probably help you with the lyrics,
>> because she was there. I really had a great time in Dallas, and I hope
>> to go to Orlando this year. Blessings, Joshua
>>
>> On 3/5/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>> Oh what is the blind inc song?  I've heard other rehab songs.
>>> I think they didn't pay for the university of your choice was because it
>>> was
>>> a private religious school; sponsoring religious institutions crosses 
>>> the
>>> lines of church and state.
>>> Still there are other ways of paying for school like loans and
>>> scholarships
>>> if you really want to go to such a school.
>>>
>>> Glad you have a better counselor now.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Joshua Lester
>>> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 10:28 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] rehab counselors and expectations
>>>
>>> The NFB has been rather anti-rehab counselors, from the beginning.
>>> After all, The Blind Inc song tells about how the rehab counselors'
>>> expectations are much too low. Mine wasn't supportive at all. She
>>> wouldn't let me go to ORU, (Oral Roberts University,) because the
>>> state wouldn't pay for it. I wanted to be in the ministry, but my
>>> major would have been music. Now, why wouldn't the state pay for it,
>>> being that I was planning on going for a music major? I don't know.
>>> All I can say is that I'm glad she's out of there, and I have someone
>>> that cares about me, and my wishes. Blessings, Joshua
>>>
>>> On 3/5/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> Has your vocational rehab, vr, counselor been supportive of your goals?
>>>> I don’t feel mine is.  First I wanted to go into education, but for
>>>> several
>>>> reasons got discouraged and decided against it for now; maybe in the
>>>> future
>>>> I can go to grad school for a masters in education with emphasis on
>>>> teaching
>>>> blind/visually impaired students.  But for now, I want a job in
>>>> communications, development, something human services, or clerical
>>>> support.
>>>> I’m pretty open.  I got several federal internships through the intern
>>>> program WRP, but don’t want to work in the government.  I just feel I
>>>> won’t
>>>> get much work in my job and will not be able to do outreach to the
>>>> community
>>>> there.
>>>>
>>>> My vr counselor discouraged education or childcare.  Now I feel she is
>>>> encouraging me and all clients for that matter, to go into the public
>>>> sector!
>>>> Another comment that bothered me was to look for jobs near my home,
>>>> rather
>>>> than in the more urban city area where I was looking.  Gee, why limit
>>>> yourself!  Why not get a job near transportation as long as your 
>>>> commute
>>>> is
>>>> reasonable!  Why limit myself to one location?
>>>>
>>>> I feel as if counselors don’t have the highest expectations for 
>>>> clients.
>>>> Fortunately, I know successful blind people working in many areas; I
>>>> know
>>>> we
>>>> should be defined by our other strength and abilities and interests, 
>>>> not
>>>> blindness.
>>>>
>>>> Okay just had to vent some.
>>>> Ashley
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>
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