3.0 Informed Choice
Table of Contents
Reference:
34 CFR § 361.52
AS § 23.15.210
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Sec. 102(b)(3)(B)
RSA-TAC-98-01
Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
Effective: >October 1, 2021
Revised:
Approved: __________________________________ Date: 10/01/2021
Duane G. Mayes, Director
Policy
Applicants and eligible individuals (including students receiving pre-employment transition services, prior to becoming an applicant) shall be full and active participants in their Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) process. Individuals will be informed through appropriate modes of communication about the availability of and opportunities to exercise informed choice, including the availability of support services for individuals with cognitive or other disabilities who require assistance in exercising informed choice throughout the VR process. Individuals shall have the opportunity to obtain information about options and make informed choices throughout their rehabilitation program. Choices are made based upon realistic options and within the constraints outlined in the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (ADVR) policy.
1.0 Summary
Informed choice is a collaborative decision-making process involving the individual and ADVR employees, which provides the individual the opportunity to be an active and knowledgeable participant in their rehabilitation program, and to make meaningful decisions in all phases of the vocational rehabilitation process. It is this active and knowledgeable involvement of individuals that helps contribute to the success of, and satisfaction with, an employment outcome.
This includes assisting individuals in acquiring information that enables them to exercise informed choice in the development of their individualized plans for employment with respect to the selection of the vocational goal, specific vocational rehabilitation services needed to achieve the vocational goal, entity that will provide the services, employment setting, and the settings in which the services will be provided, and methods available for procuring the services.
Informed choice does not mean unlimited choice. An individual's choices may be limited by several factors:
The choice must relate to, and be necessary for, achieving an employment outcome.
The choice must be consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests.
The choice must be made pursuant to all Federal, State, and ADVR rules related to providing and purchasing services.
There are some situations where the VR Counselor cannot support the individual's choice. Examples include, but are not limited to:
There is substantial evidence the decision will not lead to an employment outcome. If a choice is incompatible with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests, and no accommodation, rehabilitation technology, or other service can bridge the gap, the VR Counselor can say no.
If relevant labor market information indicates that the vocational goal or services will not lead to an employment outcome, the VR Counselor cannot approve the goal/services.
If the individual wants ADVR to pay for a service, but the service is not required to achieve employment, the VR Counselor cannot approve the service.
If a choice may be harmful to the individual or others, the VR Counselor has a responsibility to ensure that the individual understands the consequences of their decisions, including VR being unable to support the goal.
2.0 Definitions
In the scope of this Policy, the following definitions apply:
Informed Choice: The process by which individuals participating in the VR program make meaningful decisions about their vocational goals, the services to be provided, the service providers that are necessary to reach those goals, and how those services will be procured. This decision-making process takes into account the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests, as well as values and characteristics, the availability of resources and alternatives, and general economic conditions. Implementing informed choice requires communicating clearly, gathering and understanding information, setting goals, making decisions, and following through with decisions.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Goods and services, including diagnostic and related services, necessary to enable an individual with a disability to engage in competitive integrated employment.
3.0 Exceptions
Any exception to Policy must be approved by the Chief of Rehabilitation Services or their designee.
