collaborative partners to create a training program for professional interpreters for people who are deaf-blind. This training has resulted in approximately twenty individuals being certified in this area. In addition, DBVI has worked with the University of Southern Maine Linguistics Department and other collaborative partners, to create a Support Service Provider (SSP) program to enhance communication for consumers who are deaf-blind or dual sensory impaired who may or may not use ASL. DBVI utilizes interpreter services, such as Maine State Interpreters or Catholic Charities Maine, for individuals with whom they cannot communicate directly with due to language barriers. Collaboration exists on an administrative level with the Commissioners of Education and Labor working jointly in a number of capacities. There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two departments to address the needs of students with disabilities, specifically with visual impairments for DBVI. As outlined in Section 606 (Employment of Individuals with Disabilities) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, DBVI continually makes "positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities in programs assisted under this title." DBVI staff have attended Maine’s DVR Statewide Transition Counselor Advisory Group that meets quarterly to promote best practices in the provision of VR transition services. During the last year, this group heard from a number of guest speakers on disability and employment issues – including benefits counseling and focused much of its efforts on WIOA implementation and the – requirement for increased collaboration with schools and the Maine Department of Education. During the past year, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired Transition VR Counselors have attended SPDG-sponsored regional trainings to provide content area knowledge, as well as gain additional understanding of best practices in post-secondary transition planning. Over the last year Maine Department of Education received intensive technical assistance from the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC). As a result, Maine sent a team of stakeholders to the 2015 Annual Capacity Building Institute where a state action plan was developed with a number of follow-up steps. (J) Provide an assessment of the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing within the State, particularly the VR services needs of those: with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment services; who are minorities; who have been unserved or underserved by the VR program; who have been served through other components of the statewide workforce development system; and
collaborative partners to create a training program for professional interpreters for people who are deaf-blind. This training has resulted in approximately twenty individuals being certified in this area. In addition, DBVI has worked with the University of Southern Maine Linguistics Department and other collaborative partners, to create a Support Service Provider (SSP) program to enhance communication for consumers who are deaf-blind or dual sensory impaired who may or may not use ASL. DBVI utilizes interpreter services, such as Maine State Interpreters or Catholic Charities Maine, for individuals with whom they cannot communicate directly with due to language barriers. Collaboration exists on an administrative level with the Commissioners of Education and Labor working jointly in a number of capacities. There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two departments to address the needs of students with disabilities, specifically with visual impairments for DBVI. As outlined in Section 606 (Employment of Individuals with Disabilities) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, DBVI continually makes "positive efforts to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities in programs assisted under this title." DBVI staff have attended Maine’s DVR Statewide Transition Counselor Advisory Group that meets quarterly to promote best practices in the provision of VR transition services. During the last year, this group heard from a number of guest speakers on disability and employment issues – including benefits counseling – and focused much of its efforts on WIOA implementation and the requirement for increased collaboration with schools and the Maine Department of Education. During the past year, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired Transition VR Counselors have attended SPDG-sponsored regional trainings to provide content area knowledge, as well as gain additional understanding of best practices in post-secondary transition planning. Over the last year Maine Department of Education received intensive technical assistance from the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC). As a result, Maine sent a team of stakeholders to the 2015 Annual Capacity Building Institute where a state action plan was developed with a number of follow-up steps. (J) Provide an assessment of the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities residing within the State, particularly the VR services needs of those: with the most significant disabilities, including their need for supported employment services; who are minorities; who have been unserved or underserved by the VR program; who have been served through other components of the statewide workforce development system; and
DBVI_State_Plan_doc.docx