Appendix A: DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (DVR) DEFINITIONS

Training provided by an accredited or authorized institution/training facility to develop academic and reasoning abilities, as well as skills for a specific occupation, typically leading to certificates or degrees at the associate’s level or higher.

An individual who submits an application for vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with section 5.2 of the DVR Policy Manual.

Presenting information in the manner necessary to enable an individual with a disability to comprehend and respond. Appropriate modes of communication include, but are not limited to, use of interpreters, open and closed caption videos, specialized telecommunications services and audio recordings, Braille and large print materials, materials in electronic formats, augmentative communication devices, graphic presentations, and simple language materials.

Each vocational rehabilitation service and good must be suitable and of sufficient quality to meet the individual’s particular needs and circumstances. To be considered appropriate, the access or use of a service or good shall not require sacrifices or adjustments that would not be reasonably expected of an individual who does not have a disability.

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an individual with a disability.

An evaluation of the assistive technology needs of an individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the impact of the provision of appropriate assistive technology and appropriate services to the individual in their customary environment.

Any service which directly assists individuals with disabilities in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device, including assistive technology evaluations; purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by an individual with a disability; selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, replacing, or donating assistive technology devices; coordinating and using other necessary therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with education and rehabilitation plans and programs; training or technical assistance to the individual, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives; and training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, and others who are substantially involved in the major life functions of the individual to the extent necessary to support the achievement of an employment outcome by an individual with a disability.

Circumstances that directly interact with the impairment to negatively affect employability.

Any representative chosen by the applicant or eligible individual, as appropriate, including a parent, guardian, family member, advocate, or other person authorized by the applicant or recipient of services, or other person appointed by a court to represent the individual. Although an individual may choose to involve more than one person to assist with the representation of their interests in pursuing vocational rehabilitation services, individuals appointed by a court must be considered the primary authorized representative.

A wide range of services and devices that enable individuals with impaired sensory, cognitive, manual, or speaking skills to have an equal opportunity to participate. For individuals with hearing impairments, examples include: qualified interpreters, transcription services, closed caption decoders, and videotext displays. For individuals with visual impairments, examples include: qualified readers, taped texts, materials in Braille, and audio recordings. For individuals with speech impairments, examples include: TDDs (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf), speech synthesizers, and communication boards.

Accessible Web-based Activity and Reporting Environment. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s current electronic case management system. All information contained in this system is also considered part of the service record.

A high degree of certainty that an individual is incapable of benefiting from services in terms of an employment outcome. The “clear and convincing” standard constitutes the highest standard used in our civil system of law and is to be individually applied on a case-by-case basis. The term clear means unequivocal. For example, the use of an intelligence test result alone would not constitute clear and convincing evidence. Clear and convincing evidence might include a description of assessments, including situational assessments and supported employment assessments, from service providers who have concluded that they would be unable to meet the individual’s needs due to the severity of the individual’s disability. The demonstration of “clear and convincing evidence” must include, if appropriate, a functional assessment of skill development activities, with any necessary supports (including assistive technology), in real life settings.

Services provided in realistic life settings as applicable for the specific service, such as realistic work settings, an individual’s home or community environment.

A program that directly provides or facilitates the provision of one or more of the following vocational services to individuals with disabilities to enable those individuals to maximize their opportunities for employment, including career advancement: medical, psychiatric, psychological, social, and vocational services that are provided under one management; testing, fitting, or training in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices; recreational therapy; physical and occupational therapy; speech, language, and hearing therapy; psychiatric, psychological, and social services, including positive behavior management; assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs; rehabilitation technology; job development, placement, and retention services; evaluation or control of specific disabilities; orientation and mobility services for individuals who are blind; extended employment; psychosocial rehabilitation services; supported employment services and extended services; customized employment; services to family members if necessary to enable the individual to achieve an employment outcome; personal assistance services; or other similar services.

Services and benefits, including accommodations and auxiliary aids and services, that are provided or paid for, in whole or in part, by other federal, state, or local public agencies, by health insurance or by employee benefits; available to the individual at the time needed to ensure the progress of the individual toward achieving the employment outcome in the individual's individualized plan for employment; commensurate to the services that the individual would otherwise receive from DVR. Awards and scholarships based on merit are not considered comparable services and benefits.

Full or part-time work, including self-employment, in an integrated setting, for which the individual is compensated at a rate that is not less than the rate required under applicable federal or state minimum wage law for the place of employment; is not less than the customary rate paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by other employees who are not individuals with disabilities for the same or similar jobs and who have similar training, experience, and skills; and is eligible for the level of benefits provided to other employees. In the case of a self-employed individual, the employment yields an income that is comparable to the income received by others who are not individuals with disabilities and who are self-employed in similar occupations.

Gathering information needed to determine a suitable employment outcome and the nature and scope of vocational rehabilitation services necessary to achieve the identified employment outcome. The comprehensive assessment must determine the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the eligible individual, including their need for supported employment.

Strengths: Positive attributes and natural advantages, personal assets, and talents.

Resources: Support systems that can be drawn upon when needed. This includes emotional, financial, and other types of support the individual will need to achieve their employment outcome.

Priorities: Work and personal factors of primary importance to the individual, earnings, and other requirements.

Concerns: Types of aid and support needed for engaging in work, matters creating stress for the individual, financial concerns, and other factors that are critical to successful participation.

Abilities: Aptitudes, areas of competence, natural or acquired skills, and knowledge, tasks, or activities the individual can perform adequately.

Capabilities: Capacities for skill development and learning abilities.

Interests: Work preferences, activities attractive to the individual, and the results of interest inventories or other measures to identify preferences that result in identification of a suitable employment goal.

Informed Choice: A choice that is based on a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, options, implications, and future consequences, both positive and negative, of a decision or action.

Goods and services provided to individuals that are designed to address specifically identified vocational rehabilitation service needs.

Competitive integrated employment for an individual with a significant disability that is based on an individualized determination of the unique strengths, needs, and interests of the individual with a significant disability; is designed to meet the specific abilities of the individual with a significant disability and the business needs of the employer; and is carried out through flexible strategies, such as customizing a job description based on current employer needs or on previously unidentified and unmet employer needs; developing a set of job duties, a work schedule, job arrangement, specifics of supervision, and determining a job location; using a professional representative chosen by the individual, or if elected, self-representation, to work with an employer to facilitate placement; and providing services and supports at the job location.

From Colorado Revised Statute C.R.S. 8-84-301: “Discovery process” means a process to discover already existing information about a job seeker that is based on information obtained from a person’s entire life and not from short instances of job performance. The information is gathered from the job seeker and others to determine the job seeker’s interests, skills, and preferences related to potential employment that guide the development of a customized job.

Orientation and Mobility Instructor or Rehabilitation Teacher employed by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

A situation which creates a threat to the health or safety of an applicant or individual receiving DVR services.

A goal of entering, advancing in, or retaining full or part-time competitive integrated employment (including customized employment, self-employment, telecommuting, business ownership, or supported employment) that is consistent with the individual’s unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

Note: An uncompensated employment goal of Homemaker or Unpaid Family Worker identified on an IPE approved prior to September 18, 2016 and achieved prior to June 30, 2017 is considered an employment outcome.

Tangible personal property that has a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more, which is not a permanent part of a building and does not lose its identity through incorporation into a more complex unit.

Work in a non-integrated or sheltered setting for a public or private non-profit agency which provides compensation in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Ongoing support services and other appropriate services that are needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, in supported employment and that are made available to assist an individual in maintaining supported employment based on their needs, as specified in the IPE; provided by a state agency, a private non-profit organization, employer, or any other appropriate resource after transition from support provided by DVR; or for a youth with a most significant disability, provided by DVR for a period not to exceed four years or such a time that the youth reaches age 25.

Probability of substantially increasing functional impairment or death if medical services, including mental health services, are not provided expeditiously.

A relative, guardian, or other person who lives in the same household as the applicant or eligible individual, who has a substantial interest in the wellbeing of that individual, and whose receipt of vocational rehabilitation services is necessary to enable the individual to achieve an employment outcome.

The family unit consists of the applicant or individual receiving services, the spouse of the individual, and any other persons claimed by the individual as a dependent for income tax purposes.

• When the individual is dependent upon their parents, the parents and persons for whom the parents are financially responsible shall be considered part of the family unit.

• An individual who is living with their parents is considered a dependent unless the parents have not claimed the individual as a dependent for income tax purposes for the tax year previous to the financial need determination and do not intend to claim the individual as a dependent in current and future years.

• When there is a clear indication that the individual is not receiving financial support, they may be considered their own family unit regardless of dependent status for income tax purposes.

Set of life activities or skills in which the ability to function is significant to successful independence and/or employment. Eight such areas have been identified for purposes of severity of disability: mobility, motor skills, interpersonal skills, communication, work tolerance, work skills, self-care, and self-direction.

A substantial impairment in an individual’s ability to perform an action or activity in the condition, manner, or duration of a required major life activity.

Commodities, including digital files or downloads, obtained from vendors or via comparable benefits, that have been determined necessary and appropriate for participation with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or for the attainment of an employment outcome.

An applicant for vocational rehabilitation services who meets the eligibility requirements of section 6.1 of the DVR Policy Manual.

An individual with a physical or mental impairment whose impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment and who can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

For purposes of Severity of Disability, an individual whose impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment and who can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

An individual with a most significant disability has a severe physical or mental impairment that seriously limits three or more functional capacity areas (mobility, motor skills, interpersonal skills, communication, work tolerance, work skills, self-care, and self-direction) in terms of an employment outcome; and whose successful vocational rehabilitation can be expected to require the provision of two or more core vocational rehabilitation services for at least five months.

An individual with a significant disability has a severe physical or mental impairment that seriously limits one or two functional capacity areas (mobility, motor skills, interpersonal skills, communication, work tolerance, work skills, self-care, and self-direction) and who otherwise meets the same criteria as for a most significant disability. An individual who is determined to be eligible for SSI/SSDI on the basis of their disability is presumed to have a significant disability.

A choice that is based on a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, options, implications, and future consequences, both positive and negative, of a decision or action.

Integrated Service Setting: A setting typically found in the community in which the individual with a disability interacts with persons, other than service provider(s), who do not have disabilities.

Integrated Work Setting: An employment setting typically found in the community in which the individual with a disability interacts with other employees within the particular work unit and the entire work site and, as appropriate to the work performed, other persons (e.g., customers and vendors) who do not have disabilities (not including supervisory personnel or service providers), for the purposes of performing their job duties, to the same extent as persons who do not have disabilities in comparable positions; and presents opportunities for advancements that are similar to those for other employees who are not individuals with disabilities and who have similar positions.

Translation of expressive and receptive language through oral, manual, or written communication techniques.

Training provided by an individual, other than the employer (unless under a program of natural supports in a supported employment placement), to an individual after they have been placed in a paid employment situation. Job coaching services include job skill training at the work site, work site orientation, monitoring of the individual at the job site to assess employment stability, and coordination or provision of specific services at or away from the work site to maintain employment stability.

Training to teach individuals how to conduct job searches, prepare resumes, complete applications, and to interview effectively. The provision of job seeking skills training is intended to enable the individual to conduct an independent job search.

A community-based situational assessment provided in a real work setting where the individual observes and possibly assists in the performance of a specific job so that the individual has a sufficient understanding of job requirements to assist with making an informed choice among potential employment outcomes.

A limited situational assessment (up to three hours) which consists of observing an individual with a disability on a specific job to determine if the job and/or work setting is appropriate for the individual and/or to determine accommodations that may be needed.

Modification or adaptation to a workstation and/or job site to enable the individual with a disability to access necessary tools, equipment, and materials for the performance of job tasks and/or to improve their ability to perform required job tasks.

When an employed individual is reasonably expected to continue to perform all job duties acceptably, without the provision of further vocational rehabilitation services.

Monetary support provided to an individual for expenses, such as food, shelter, and clothing, that are in excess of the normal expenses of the individual and that are necessitated by the individual’s participation in an assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs or the individual’s receipt of vocational rehabilitation services under an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

The act or process of using an independent third party (a qualified and impartial mediator) to act as a mediator, intermediary, or conciliator to assist persons or parties in settling differences or disputes prior to pursuing formal administrative or other legal remedies.

Any mental or psychological disorder such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disabilities.

Goods and services essential to assessing an individual’s eligibility and severity of disability, establishing their vocational rehabilitation needs, and assisting the individual in preparing for, securing, retaining, or regaining an employment outcome.

Services which accurately record the content of verbal material presented by an instructor, evaluator, or employer for an individual who is unable to hear or comprehend verbal communication.

Supported employment services that are needed to support and maintain an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability in supported employment; are identified based on the individual’s need as specified in the IPE; are furnished by the DVR unit from the time of job placement until transition to extended services, unless post-employment services are provided following transition; include an assessment of employment stability and provision of specific services or the coordination of services at or away from the worksite that are needed to maintain stability.

Job skill training provided at the work site by the employer after placement in a paid employment situation secured with the clear expectation that employment in the same or a similar job for the employer will continue for the individual with a disability if training is successful.

Personal adjustment evaluation for persons who are visually impaired to determine their independent travel skills and needs.

Personal adjustment training provided to persons who are blind and visually impaired to teach independent travel skills.

A Person We Serve (PWS) [also Individual We Serve (IWS)] is an applicant for vocational rehabilitation services who meets the eligibility requirements of section 6.1 of the DVR Policy Manual.

An individualized and systematic process to evaluate an individual’s skills, behaviors, and needs in the areas of personal functioning, homemaking, orientation and mobility, adaptive communication, assistive technology, daily living skills, and, if applicable, low vision.

Training provided to help individuals develop compensatory skills and/or to adjust behavior in the areas of independent living, personal functioning, homemaking, orientation and mobility, adaptive communication, assistive technology, daily living skills, and, if applicable, low vision.

A range of services provided by one or more persons designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform daily living activities on or off the job that the individual would typically perform without assistance if the individual did not have a disability. The services must be designed to increase the individual's control in life and ability to perform everyday activities on or off the job. The services must be necessary to the achievement of an employment outcome and may be provided only while the individual is receiving other vocational rehabilitation services. The services may include training in managing, supervising, and directing personal assistance services.

Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine.

Corrective surgery or therapeutic treatment that is likely, within a reasonable period of time, to correct or substantially modify a stable or slowly progressive physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to employment, including diagnosis and treatment for mental or emotional disorders; and other medical or medically related rehabilitation services.

One or more vocational rehabilitation services that are provided subsequent to the achievement of an employment outcome and that are necessary for an individual to maintain, regain, or advance in employment, consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. These services are available to meet rehabilitation needs that do not require a complex and comprehensive provision of services and thus should be limited in scope and duration.

A subset of transition services provided to students with disabilities which must fit into one of the following categories: job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education, and instruction in self-advocacy.

The individual and/or organization which will render a necessary good or service.

Verbal communication of printed text for an individual unable to read or comprehend typical written or printed materials.

For purposes of providing trial work experiences to establish eligibility, a realistic work setting is compatible with the individual’s specific limitations and vocational rehabilitation needs and provides a suitable environment enabling the individual to demonstrate and/or develop their abilities, capabilities and capacities to perform work in an integrated setting.

Any applicant or eligible individual receiving vocational rehabilitation services or any potentially eligible student with a disability receiving pre-employment transition services.

Original design, development, adaptation, testing, evaluation, application, and distribution of technological solutions to problems confronted by individuals with disabilities in functional areas, such as mobility, communications, hearing, vision, and cognition, and in activities associated with employment, independent living, education, and integration into the community.

Personal Adjustment Training provided to persons who are blind or visually impaired to identify, overcome, or circumvent the barriers to home and personal management and/or communication. Rehabilitation Teaching may include counseling and guidance to enhance an individual’s adjustment to blindness, independent mobility, self-reliance, and independent decision-making.

Personal Adjustment Evaluation for a person who is blind or visually impaired to identify skills and needs in the areas of communication, home and personal management, adjustment to blindness, independent decision-making, and independent mobility.

An assessment to identify the assistive technology devices, assistive services, and/or rehabilitation engineering services, which are necessary for the individual to participate in a vocational rehabilitation evaluation and Individualized Employment Plan.

The systematic application of technologies, engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet individual needs, and address barriers confronted by individuals with disabilities in education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, independent living, and recreation. The term includes rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services.

Financial support to cover the expenses of an individual with a disability and/or their family when necessary to relocate the individual to enable participation in a vocational rehabilitation program and attainment of an employment outcome.

Structural modifications or adaptations to an individual’s residence to enable access and independent function in the residence to the degree necessary for the individual to attain their employment outcome.

An employment outcome where the individual or the entity owned by the individual is responsible for paying for the employer and employee portion of their social security taxes, income taxes, insurance, licenses, and other employee benefits. Self-Employment may be a sole proprietorship or corporation.

Breakeven: When a business’ net sales are sufficient to pay all monthly business expenses and no additional money is required.

Business Acumen: A person’s knowledge, skills, and understanding of owning and operating a business. This is primarily obtained through education and experience.

Business Concept: The overall description of what a business is going to be, how it is going to operate, and how much it is expected to earn. For example, “Fun and Games” will be an entertainment center offering games and entertainment for the whole family, such as ping pong, skeeball, bumper pool, skill games, and more. We will operate from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., seven nights a week, and charge a $5 cover per person to generate revenue. We anticipate an average of 100 people visiting Sunday through Thursday and 300 people on Friday and Saturday for a gross income of $5,000 per week. Our overhead, including labor, will be $3,200 per week, leaving a gross profit of $1,800 per week or $93,600 per year…”

Business Exploration Agreement: An agreement outlining activities necessary for completion of a business plan, written and signed by the Rehabilitation Counselor for Entrepreneurship (RCE) and the individual receiving services.

Business Plan, Abbreviated: A less comprehensive plan written for businesses which operate as a subcontractor with other businesses and have limited overhead and marketing responsibilities.

Business Plan, Comprehensive: A complete plan written for normal retail businesses selling products and services to the general public. This plan will include an Executive Summary outlining the owner’s qualifications to run the business, a Business Concept, Pricing Strategy based on the Product and Service Cost Analysis, Competitive Surveys, Customer Surveys, Marketing and Advertising Plans, a Start-up Cost Spreadsheet, Financial Projections, Back-up Plans, Legal Requirements, Insurance Requirements, and Costs and Accounting Procedures.

Entrepreneurial Profile: A summary completed by the originating Rehabilitation Counselor demonstrating the suitability of the self-employment goal from the perspective of the individual’s disability and personal characteristics.

Fair Market Value: A term normally applied to existing assets, such as equipment and inventory, indicating what the worth would be if these assets were liquidated or sold in today’s market (e.g., Blue Book value on a vehicle).

Financial Forecast (Pro Forma): A projection or prediction of future sales, costs, and profits of a particular business used to project potential success and to establish goals and guidelines for future planning.

Franchising: A continuing relationship in which the franchiser provides a licensed privilege to the franchisee to do business and offers assistance in organizing, training, merchandising, marketing, and managing in return for a consideration of profits. Franchising is a form of business by which the owner (franchiser) of a product, service, or method obtains distribution through affiliated dealers (franchisees). The product, method, or service being marketed is usually identified by the franchiser’s brand name and the holder of the privilege (franchisee) is often given exclusive access to a defined geographical area.

Lease: A contract between the owner (lessor) and the tenant (lessee) stating the conditions under which the tenant may occupy or use real estate or equipment. Terms usually include a specific period of time at a predetermined rate.

Milestone: Date-driven goals set based on the financial forecast to assist the business operator in measuring projected progress of the business and alert the owner if goals are not being met (e.g., The business will be netting $1,000 a month in profit by May 15, 2013.)

Net Profit: Profit that is produced after all expenses and overhead are paid.

Non-Profit: An organization or company established for charitable, educational, or humanitarian purposes and not for making money.

Product and Service Cost Analysis: A business process used to determine the cost of each product and service. This calculation is accomplished by listing the cost of every item that goes into the product or service, including labor overhead and labor costs based on the price of hired labor for the same work. This amount will determine the product price necessary to guarantee a sufficient profit level.

Profit/Loss: Profit and loss are terms applied to the accounting spreadsheet that calculates all revenues (sales) and expenses. Subtracting expenses from revenues determines whether the business has a net profit or loss. If expenses exceed revenues, the business has a net loss. If revenues exceed expenses,the business earns a profit.

Self-Employment: When an employed person is responsible for withholding and paying their own income tax, Workers’ Compensation costs, benefits, etc. If an employer pays an employee and deducts the above items from the paycheck, the recipient of the paycheck is not considered to be self-employed.

Self-Employment Progress Report: A monthly report of profit and loss submitted by the self-employed individual to the Rehabilitation Counselor for Entrepreneurship (RCE).

Self-Employment Questionnaire: A preliminary questionnaire designed to acquaint the RCE with the individual and the Business Concept to assist in assessing viability and planning for a Business Plan.

Start-Up Costs: All costs involved in opening a business, including equipment, inventory, rent and utilities (if applicable), advertising, insurance, legal fees, and supplies not related directly to resale, such as cleaning materials and office supplies. These are costs projected to be incurred until the business can reach a breakeven level.

Subcontract: A subordinate contract under which the supply of materials, services, or labor is assigned to someone other than a party of the main contract.

Viability/Feasibility: When a business venture can generate sufficient profit to meet the agreed upon income goal of the individual. The initial determination of viability is made based on the financial projections and the individual’s ability to operate the business with or without support in a profitable manner.

A reduction in functioning, due to a severe impairment, to the degree that the individual requires goods and services or special working conditions over an extended period of time, such as job reengineering, assistive technology, substantial on-the-job support, or intensive supervision not typically provided for others to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain employment in previous jobs or occupations usually available to people without disabilities of equivalent age, education, and capacities. External factors, such as geographic location, availability of public transportation, and lack of financial resources or training, are not considered when determining whether or not a limitation meets the criteria for “serious.”

The furnishing of labor, time, or effort on behalf of an individual to assess eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs, to accommodate barriers to employment, and to enable the individual to achieve their planned employment outcome.

Service animals are dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities, such as guiding an individual who is blind, alerting an individual who is deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and assisting an individual having a seizure, reminding an individual with mental illness to take prescribed medications, and calming an individual with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack. Service animals are not pets and the work or task must be directly related to the individual’s disability. An animal whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support does not qualify as a service animal.

A record maintained by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for each individual receiving services documenting all interactions with the individual or authorized representative, if applicable, and contains all required documentation of the provision of vocational rehabilitation services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Service records include both printed material and information contained in the electronic case management system.

A physical or mental impairment is determined to be severe if one or more physical or mental impairments exist resulting from amputation, arthritis, autism, blindness, burn injury, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, deafness, head injury, heart disease, hemiplegia, hemophilia, respiratory or pulmonary dysfunction, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, musculo-skeletal disorders, neurological disorders (including stroke and epilepsy), spinal cord conditions (including paraplegia and quadriplegia), sickle cell anemia, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, end-stage renal disease, or another disability or combination of disabilities determined on the basis of an assessment.

A type of vocational evaluation conducted to assess work behaviors, interpersonal skills, and job-related skill levels for the purposes of establishing eligibility or developing the Individualized Employment Plan. Situational assessments may take place in community-based settings, including real life work and transitional employment settings, or in facility-based settings, such as community rehabilitation program facilities.

An individual with a disability in a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program between the ages of 15 and 21 who is eligible for and receiving special education or related services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or is a student with a disability for purposes of Section 504.

A physical or mental impairment (in light of attendant medical, psychological, vocational, educational, communication, and other related factors) that hinders an individual from preparing for, entering into, engaging in, advancing in, or retaining employment consistent with the individual’s abilities and capabilities.

Competitive integrated employment, including customized employment that is individualized and customized consistent with the individual’s unique strengths, abilities, interests, and informed choice, including ongoing support services for individuals with the most significant disabilities.

Ongoing support services, including customized employment and other appropriate services, needed to maintain an individual or youth with a most significant disability in supported employment that are:

• Organized and made available to assist in the achievement of competitive integrated employment.

• Based on a needs determination and specified in an IPE.

• Provided by DVR for a period of time not to exceed 24 months (unless special circumstances apply and the rehabilitation counselor and individual jointly agree to extend the time period to achieve the employment outcome identified in the IPE).

• Provided as post-employment services that are unavailable from an extended services provider and necessary to advance in employment or maintain or regain the job placement.

May include maintenance, transportation, services to family members, and personal assistance services provided only to enable the individual to participate in and benefit from other necessary services and goods.

Systematic Instruction involves setting up ongoing post-placement supports and monitoring the employment relationship to ensure satisfaction of both the person we serve and the employer.

A coordinated set of activities for a youth designed within an outcome-oriented process promoting movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational training, competitive integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. The coordinated set of activities must be based on the individual youth’s needs, accounting for preference and interest, and must include instruction, community experiences, development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. Transition services must promote or facilitate the achievement of the employment outcome identified in the youth’s Individualized Plan for Employment. Transition services include outreach to and engagement with the parents of a student or youth with a disability or their representative, as appropriate.

Travel and related expenses that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in a vocational rehabilitation service, including expenses for training in the use of public transportation vehicles and systems.

An individualized program of vocational rehabilitation services provided in realistic work settings to enable the individual to demonstrate and/or develop abilities, capabilities, and the capacity to perform in work situations. Such services are provided to individuals whose eligibility or continuing eligibility is questioned due to the severity of their disability.

A vocational rehabilitation need that requires the immediate provision of a good or service to:

• Avoid impending extreme medical risk to the individual.

• Save an existing job placement when employment is no longer stable.

• Enable the individual to participate in other goods and/or services that have already been initiated or that are planned to be initiated within two weeks from the date the urgent need is identified.

Structural modifications or adaptations to a motorized vehicle to enable an individual with a disability access to and operation of the vehicle when necessary for the employment goal.

A provider paid by DVR for a particular good or service.

An individualized and systematic process in which an individual, in partnership with the evaluator, learns to identify their strengths, resources, abilities, capabilities, interests, and viable employment options in order to develop employment goals and objectives. A variety of testing and assessment strategies may be used, including a standardized vocational assessment, situational assessments, community-based job tryouts, job shadowing, and work experiences.

Training typically provided through community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, and other certification programs enabling individuals to develop the skills necessary to perform the tasks of a specific job.

An estimate of the number of work hours per week for an individual with a most significant disability to achieve the identified employment outcome within 24 months. The weekly work goal must be consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

Training provided to help individuals with disabilities adjust behavior and/or develop compensatory skills in vocational areas, such as peer work relationships, supervisory work relationships, general work behaviors and expectations, and work habits. Work adjustment training includes training to improve interpersonal skills to the degree necessary to engage in employment and shall take place in integrated settings to the maximum extent possible.

A community-based situational assessment provided in a real life work setting for the limited purposes of exposing an individual with a disability to the world of work and what is required to maintain successful employment. Work experience is not typically intended to result in permanent employment in the job setting.

An individual with a disability who is not younger than 14 years old and is not older than 24 years old.