As dangerous a scenario described in the classic "Armageddon" article in Volume II touched your psyche, we are faced with an even more real threat to specialized services for people with vision loss.
This trend in national, it is law, it is already effecting much larger generic VR agencies, and it will drastically challenge the way we provide services to our consumers. You may have not felt its sting yet, but you will in the near future.
Already, several states have embraced workforce development. Thus far, only larger, generic DVR type agencies have become "Workforce Development" (WD). This philosophy makes several erroneous assumptions which are dangerous to our services. It is the exact opposite of "specialized services".
Some aspects of WD may well serve those consumers who situations allow them to be less challenged by competitive employment. The concept of the "one-stop shopping site" is everywhere in the WD model. The assumption is that a person can make one stop and receive virtually any employment service they require. This works well for job seekers who are not disabled, or those with disabilities less than severe.
But, if the one-stop shop serves a hundred of these individuals, what happens when one person who is blind comes to apply for work? Or, a person who is deaf? Will they have the resources to serve those consumers as well as they do others?
Do they understand the unique challenges of travel and communication? Will they recognize the need for extensive orientation to a job site required by a consumer who is blind? Will they know about adaptive technology? Do they accept the notion that ability to do the work is not the only consideration? And, how well will this model serve persons who have multiple disabilities in addition to vision loss?
One of the largest state VR programs in the nation is presently being dissolved. The original legislation also called for the separate agency serving consumers with vision loss to also join this WD model, only to be spared at the last moment until the service issues could be studied.
Dear reader, what are your feelings and experiences on the subject? What is happening in your state? Let us know and we will share your observations with others in our field. Are we overreacting, or have your experiences given you cause for alarm?
Send us your thoughts by way of email:
fivesickpuppies@hotmail.comStay tuned for more on his subject.
For the Merlin confederation, Michael
