Auxiliary aids and services for effective communication must be provided only when necessary for an individual with a disability to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in or regain competitive integrated employment that is consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.
VR will provide auxiliary aids and services for effective communication when necessary for individuals with hearing, visual or speech impairments to access VR services or participate in VR services, except that VR will not assume the responsibility of other programs or service providers, such as postsecondary training institutions, community rehabilitation programs, physicians, psychologists, and placement agencies, for providing auxiliary aids and services for effective communication under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
There must be a search for comparable benefits unless the search would unreasonably interrupt or delay:
- the progress of an eligible person toward achieving the employment outcome identified in the Employment Plan, or
- an immediate job placement.
- the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to any individual who is determined to be at extreme medical risk, based on medical evidence provided by an appropriate qualified medical professional.
A comparable benefits search is not required for assessment activity.
If it is known that comparable benefits exist but are not available at the time needed to ensure the timely progress of the individual toward achieving an employment outcome, the agency must provide services until those comparable benefits become available.
The agency must not purchase a service when the person refuses or fails to make formal application for a comparable benefit to pay all or part of the cost of the service, or when the individual refuses to accept a comparable benefit that is available to the person.
CFP is not required for auxiliary aids and services for effective communication.
Through appropriate modes of communication, each applicant and recipient of VR services must be given the information necessary to make informed choices. Individuals who need assistance in exercising informed choice must be made aware that support services are available.
As appropriate, services can be obtained from either an in-State or out-of-State provider. If a person chooses an out-of-State provider at a higher cost than an in-State provider, if either provider would meet the individual’s rehabilitation needs, VR is not responsible for those costs in excess of the cost of the in-State service.
Exceptions to the auxiliary aids and services for effective communication policies may be requested from the Director of Rehabilitation Services or a designee when there are unique rehabilitation needs that cannot be met.