[Nfbf-l] DBS Vitally Important Information
Joanne
jdking09 at earthlink.net
Sun May 17 14:00:51 UTC 2009
Remember that the blind is a minority among other disabilities. It hasn't
worked in the pass, that was tried many times, and it won't work in the
future. Our needs are unique..
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
To: "NFB of Florida Listserv" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2009 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] DBS Vitally Important Information
David:
I think the reasoning is that if you just need a
few things you are more likely to figure it out
on your own, or get help elsewhere. However, if
your needs, and disabilities are greater, you
will have fewer options, and need services more.
Dave
Either way, it is no win for somebody.
Dave
At 08:52 PM 5/16/2009, you wrote:
>Dear All,
>
>This order of selection has me very worried. It
>works on a "worst case first" methodology, based on disability.
>Therefore, the more disabled you are, the higher
>on the list to be served you are placed for gaining services and equipment.
>I am not so sure this is fair or even good for
>all clients. What happens to those who only
>need some special equipment or training and
>simple assistance to go to work and have a
>higher likelihood of being employable quickly
>and with less expense than someone who has
>multiple disabilities including blindness? If
>worst always comes first, and there are always
>more people coming into the system, then when
>does it become the turn of those who are blind
>and only need some equipment or training to get
>back into the work force? If new people are
>always coming in, then you could be rotated to
>the back of the line for a very long time before
>you get the help you need, even if it would cost
>less to help you and get you back to work as
>opposed to someone who has more disability to
>deal with and has a higher chance of failure to gain work.
>We certainly do not want anyone denied services
>or needed equipment or training, but having a
>order of selection can not always be fair or serve all clients.
>The State has an obligation to serve ALL of us
>equally, not just some because it is a way to save money.
>Our children already are underserved, held back
>and generally jipped in the education they get
>in school and services to help us become
>employed are almost non-existent already.
>Our unemployment rate is over 70% and has been for over 60 years.
>We let the government skirt around the same laws
>they pass to "protect" us and let them slide for
>years on compliance with fixing things such as
>the My Florida web site and forcing them to make
>all of the contracts they enter into for
>software to be accessible and compliant with 508
>standards so we can work for and with the government and their vendors.
>We must stop this. We need to be organized,
>register our members to vote and build both
>political and legal pressure to bare on our
>government to do what they are suppose to be
>doing for us without all of the excuses.
>I am damned mad and I do not want to take it anymore.
>I would like to see us come forward with a plan
>to have an organized and funded lobbying effort,
>that would operate all year around and would be
>much more active in speaking up for us , the
>Blind, in both Tallahassee and Washington. We
>need to pursue stronger legal measures to get
>what we deserve and punish those who would denied us our rights.
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Merry Schoch" <merrys at verizon.net>
>To: "NFB of Florida Listserv"
><nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>; "Nfbf Leaders"
><nfbf-leaders at yahoogroups.com>;
><nfbf-parents at yahoogroups.com>; "'Betty
>McNally'" <bethmac at bellsouth.net>; "Dan Hicks"
><danjhicks at yahoo.com>; "'Gina Minichiello'"
><minichiellog at comcast.net>; "Gloria Hicks"
><GloriaNFB at irescue-tax.com>; "Kathy Davis"
><kdavisnfbf at cfl.rr.com>;
><misteradvocate at mvtransit.com>;
><sabdeaton at yahoo.com>; "Sherri Brun"
><flmom2006 at gmail.com>; "Sherrill O'Brien" <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
>Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 8:41 AM
>Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] DBS Vitally Important Information
>
>
>Hi All,
>
>I was alarmed when I read this so I called my DBS counselor. Her
>understanding is this is a proposal that will affect new clients. She
>encouraged everyone to give input at the state convention. I know I would
>be absolutely devasted if DBS pulled the rug out from under me right now.
>I
>also know that if this proposal was in effect in 1997 I may not have
>received any services from DBS. Those of us who are just "blind" need
>services too!!
>
>Is anyone writing a resolution regarding this matter??
>
>Merry
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathy Davis" <kdavisnfbf at cfl.rr.com>
>To: "Nfbf Leaders" <nfbf-leaders at yahoogroups.com>; <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>;
><nfbf-parents at yahoogroups.com>; "'Betty McNally'" <bethmac at bellsouth.net>;
>"Dan Hicks" <danjhicks at yahoo.com>; "'Gina Minichiello'"
><minichiellog at comcast.net>; "Gloria Hicks" <GloriaNFB at irescue-tax.com>;
>"Kathy Davis" <kdavisnfbf at cfl.rr.com>; <misteradvocate at mvtransit.com>;
><sabdeaton at yahoo.com>; "Sherri Brun" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>; "Sherrill
>O'Brien" <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
>Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 10:27 PM
>Subject: [Nfbf-l] DBS Vitally Important Information
>
>
>Dear NFBF Members,
>
>I just received to communications from the Division of Blind Services which
>I wanted to share with you. Please read the below information carefully and
>be ready to address your questions, comments and concerns with the director
>and her designees at our state convention.
>
>Please read on and I look forward to seeing so many old friends and meeting
>new ones in just a week.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Kathy Davis, President
>NFBF
>
>
>Public Comments: Order of Selection
>
>
>Florida Division of Blind Services will be taking public comments on the
>State Plan Attachment 4.11(c)(3) Order of Selection at the NFB Conference
>May 22-25, 2009 and at the FCB Conference June 4-7, 2009. A copy of the
>Order of Selection is located at <http://.dbs.myflorida.com/>
>http://.dbs.myflorida.com also Public comments can be submitted via e-mail
>through June 7, 2009. The e-mail address is public.comments at dbs.fldoe.org.
>
>
>
>Details are noted below:
>
>
>NFB Conference
>
>
>Where: Embassy Suites, Boca Raton
>
> 661 NW 53rd St.
>
> Boca Raton, Florida 33487
>
>
>
> The DBS table will be located by the registration table
>
>
>
>When: Saturday - May 23, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM;
>
>Sunday - May 24, 2009 from 3:55 PM to 4:25 PM - Division of Blind Services'
>Report by Ms. Joyce Hildreth, Division Director; and
>
>Sunday - May 24, 2009 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
>
>
>
>
>FCB Conference
>
>
>Where: Plaza Ocean Club
>
> 640 North Atlantic Avenue
>
> Daytona Beach, Florida 32118
>
>
>
> The DBS table will be located in the Exhibit Hall
>
>
>
>When: Friday - June 5, 2009 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM;
>
>Saturday - June 6, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; and
>
>Saturday - June 6, 2009 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the Town Meeting
>
>
>
>State Plan for the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program and
>State Plan Supplement for the State Supported Employment Services Program
>
>
>Attachment 4.11(c)(3) Order of Selection
>
>
>Justification for Order of Selection
>
>
>The Rehabilitation Act requires that if FDBS cannot serve all eligible
>individuals who apply for services, then an Order of Selection must be
>developed to establish the order in which individuals with disabilities
>will
>be provided services. At this time FDBS can serve all persons in the state.
>However, the fiscal reality may result in FDBS's inability to serve all
>eligible persons.
>
>
>
>The Order of Selection Policy is in effect but not put into operation
>unless
>Order of Selection is declared.
>
>
>
>This policy outlines the equitable means FDBS has established to determine
>how eligible individuals will be selected to receive services if there is
>an
>Order of Selection in place. As mandated by law individuals categorized as
>having the most significant disability will be served first.
>
>
>
>FDBS will base the determination of who may receive services only on the
>significance of an individual's disability and by the date of application
>for FDBS services.
>
>Having an Order of Selection in no way affects the eligibility process.
>Eligibility determination follows all existing policy and procedures.
>
>
>Description of Priority Categories
>
>
>When an individual has been determined eligible for FDBS services he or she
>will also be assigned to a significance of disability category.
>
>
>
>FDBS has three categories of significance of disability:
>
>· most significant;
>
>· significant; and
>
>· less significant.
>
>
>
>The assessment for significance of disability category utilizes existing
>information available and may be amended at any time during the life of the
>case when additional information becomes available.
>
>
>
>The following defines the three categories of significance.
>
>
>Individual meets the Criteria for Most Significant Disability
>
>
>
>
>· Individual has a bilateral visual impairment or a combination of a
>bilateral visual impairment, and physical, or mental impairments that
>constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment and
>seriously limits three or more functional capacities (such as mobility,
>communications, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work
>tolerance, or work skills) in terms of an employment outcome; and
>
>· Individual's vocational rehabilitation can be expected to require
>at
>least three vocational rehabilitation services over an extended period of
>time (twelve months or more).
>
>
>
>
>Individual meets the Criteria for Significant Disability
>
>
>
>
>· Individual has a bilateral visual impairment or a combination of a
>bilateral visual impairment, and physical, or mental impairments that
>constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment and
>seriously limits two functional capacities (such as mobility,
>communications, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work
>tolerance, or work skills) in terms of an employment outcome; and
>
>· Individual's vocational rehabilitation can be expected to require
>at
>least two vocational rehabilitation services over an extended period of
>time
>(but not to exceed twelve months).
>
>
>Individual meets the Criteria for Less Significant Disability
>
>
>· Individual has a bilateral visual impairment or a combination of a
>bilateral visual impairment, and physical, or mental impairments that
>constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment and
>seriously limits at least one functional capacity (such as mobility,
>communications, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work
>tolerance, or work skills) in terms of an employment outcome; and
>
>· Individual's vocational rehabilitation is not expected to require
>multiple vocational rehabilitation services; and services are expected to
>last less than six months.
>
>
>
>
>Order of Selection Priority Categories Served
>
>
>Once an Order of Selection is declared a determination will be made, based
>on resources available, which new eligible applicants, if any, can be
>provided services. The determination can range from serving no new eligible
>individuals who apply for services to serving all new eligible applicants.
>
>
>
>FDBS will have four priority categories:
>
>
>
>· Individuals who are otherwise eligible and at risk of losing their
>gainful employment, regardless of level of significance category
>
>· Individuals in the most significant disability category
>
>· Individuals in the significant disability category
>
>· Individuals in the less significant disability category.
>
>
>
>Individuals in the most significant disability category and anyone who
>applies for services that has an existing job but who is at risk of losing
>it will be served first. Once all individuals in the most significant
>disability category can be served, FDBS may add the category of individuals
>with severe disabilities. If enough resources are available, FDBS may add
>the category of individuals categorized as less significant.
>
>
>
>The next category may not be opened unless FDBS can serve all individuals
>in
>the prior category.
>
>
>
>If the Order of Selection is implemented the Service and outcome goals and
>the time within which the goals will be achieved will be documented
>including the priority category, number of individuals to be served,
>outcome
>goals including 26s and 28s, the time within which goals are to be
>achieved,
>and cost of services as required by federal law.
>
>
>Waiting List
>
>
>Any eligible individual not being served due to Order of Selection will be
>placed on a waiting list. A separate statewide list will be maintained for
>each of the significance of disability categories. The order in which an
>individual is placed on the waiting list is based on the date of
>application
>and district caseload. The waiting list will be overseen by the State
>Office. As resources become available, individuals on the waiting list will
>be notified when services can be provided.
>
>
>Referral
>
>
>All individuals placed on a waiting list will be provided information and
>guidance regarding job related services. This may include referring
>individuals with disabilities to other appropriate Federal and State
>programs, including other components of the statewide workforce investment
>system. FDBS staff will give individuals a specific point of contact within
>the agency to which the individual is being referred as well as information
>and advice regarding the most suitable services. The provider to whom a
>referral is made is to receive a letter of notice regarding a referral
>being
>made.
>
>
>Due Process/Notification
>
>
>All eligible individuals will be notified of the priority categories used
>by
>FDBS in an Order of Selection, what significance of disability category
>they
>have been assigned, and their right to appeal their category assignment.
>
>
>Services
>
>
>All individuals in Plan Development or beyond at the time Order of
>Selection
>is implemented will continue to receive all required services according to
>current policies and procedures regardless of the status of Order of
>Selection. This includes individuals who need post employment services to
>maintain or regain employment.
>
>
>
>Skill training under a Vocational Rehabilitation contract will be provided
>to all persons regardless of status of significance. The IPE will be
>limited to these services only. Other services will be added to the IPE
>only
>if the individual is eligible to be served under the Order of Selection and
>the individual is ready for IPE.
>
>
>References
>
>
>Rehabilitation Act:
>
>Sec. 101. (a) Plan Requirements
>
>Federal Regulations:
>
>§361.36 Ability to serve all eligible individuals; order of selection for
>services
>
>§361.37 Information and referral services
>
>_______________________________________________
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