9.3 Determining an Employment Outcome

A suitable employment outcome is work in the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or, if appropriate, part-time basis in an integrated setting, for which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by individuals who do not have disabilities.

DVR Counselors shall work in collaboration with individuals to thoroughly explore their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. These exploration activities result in the identification of a suitable employment outcome. DVR Counselors shall help individuals explore existing skills, attributes and strengths during the employment outcome selection process. The existence of transferable skills does not dictate the selection of an employment outcome. The selected employment outcome shall align with an individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

An integrated employment setting is at a location typically found in the community and requires the individual to interact with other employees on the work unit who do not have disabilities to the same extent as employees in comparable positions without disabilities. For additional guidance on the determination of whether an employment setting is integrated, please review the definition in the appendix and/or guidance in Chapter 14, Supported Employment.