In this issue we share updates from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), training opportunities, and new content and resources that may be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic when many are teleworking or considering how to continue services to individuals with disabilities and their families. The NCRTM is working on a COVID-19 special issue that we will release within the next couple of weeks with more opportunities to learn and serve. If you have material that would be appropriate for us to include in this special issue, please email NCRTM@neweditions.net.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, Dillon Maestrejuan is a prolific storyteller, and he is turning a passion for photography into a promising career path with assistance from Nevada Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).
Go to the OSERS VR100 Website to view success stories and other VR100-related information. For more VR information follow @ED_sped_rehab and #VR100Years on Twitter.
You can now check the RSA Discretionary Grants Information Page to keep up with new General Information about RSA Discretionary Grants and all open RSA Discretionary Grant competitions. This page contains information and accompanying handouts for applicants interested in applying for discretionary grants funded through RSA.
Grant Reallotment Form 60-Day Public Comment Notice
RSA notifies State VR agencies that the 60-day comment period for the Grant Reallotment form (RSA-692) (OMB Control Number: 1820-0692) began on February 25, 2020, and concludes on April 27, 2020. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, RSA provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on the proposed information collection request (ICR). State VR agencies and other stakeholders may submit public comment related to the proposed ICR through regulations.gov. The docket number is ED–2020–SCC–0036.
The Policy Statement permits prior approval for two direct cost categories, participant support costs and equipment, under the Department’s authority in the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB’s) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). The prior approval applies to State formula grant programs administered by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and RSA.
Notice of Interpretation: Pre-Employment Transition Services Flexibility Regarding the Use of Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Funds
OSERS made available for public inspection a notice of interpretation (NOI) to:
Clarify current policy regarding the use of Federal VR funds reserved for the provision of pre-employment transition services to pay for auxiliary aids and services needed by all students with disabilities in order to access or participate in required pre-employment transition services under section 113(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and
Announce a change in policy with respect to additional VR services needed by eligible students with disabilities that may be paid for with Federal VR grant funds reserved for the provision of pre-employment transition services and the circumstances under which those funds may be used to pay for those additional VR services.
As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Vocational Rehabilitation program, this NOI helps VR agencies increase the availability of pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities by providing designated state units with significantly greater flexibility in delivering pre-employment transition services to eligible students with disabilities than has been allowed under guidance from the U.S. Department of Education issued to date. This policy is effective February 28, 2020. RSA encourages you to review this document highlight the items you like as well as those items that may need further clarification. Please submit comments by March 30, 2020 through the Federal Register Notice: State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program.
RSA-911 Edit Checks for PY19Q4 and PY20Q1
RSA has been using V11 of the Case Service Report (RSA-911) Edit Specifications for PY 2019 Q1, Q2, and Q3 reports. As we approach the start of Q4, on April 1, 2020, RSA is notifying State VR agencies that we will use V11 for PY 2019 Q4 reports.
RSA is developing a new set of Edit Specifications for PY 2020 Q1 reports to reflect changes made to the RSA-911 in PD 19-03 that take effect on July 1, 2020. We plan to share this version with State VR agencies before PY 2020 Q1 begins. Please email RSAData@ed.gov with any questions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the internet is an even more essential tool for online learning and service delivery. But what about our clients and colleagues with disabilities? Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires all Federal agencies and institutions that receive Federal funding to ensure that people with disabilities can access their information and communication technology (ICT). This includes Federally-funded training materials that are disseminated to users via the internet. We offer technical assistance to individuals and organizations who submit their rehabilitation training materials to the NCRTM. Our experience is that many training developers do not know some users may not be able to access their materials or how to get started in making their resources accessible. We offer brief tutorial videos and other resources to help create and remediate your materials.
The NCRTM Accessibility Resource page includes Word, PowerPoint, and Portable Document Format (PDF) accessibility resources for beginners to learn about how to make their products accessible for all users.
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census counts every person in the nation to determine voting districts, the number of seats in the House of Representatives, and how to distribute about $1.5 trillion in Federal funds for states and local communities. The Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality and NDRN published “An Accessible 2020 Census: Frequently Asked Questions by the Disability Community about Census Operations” to provide more information about census operations and accessibility for the disability community including:
When and how will people be invited to respond to the 2020 Census?
Will the 2020 Census be accessible?
Can someone assist a person in filling out the 2020 Census?
How will people be counted if they live in a group facility during the 2020 Census?
What information will people be asked to provide about their household on the 2020 Census?
Did you know that you can watch any Project E3 webcast designed for vocational rehabilitation counselors and professionals providing services to help people with disabilities from underserved communities achieve their independent living and employment goals? And if you need CRC credits, you can still get them by viewing the archived webcast and completing the evaluation survey.
As we try to make the best of difficult circumstances, setting aside time for professional development might help you feel more accomplished and productive despite cancelled meetings and isolation from the community. RSA-funded TA Centers offer live webcasts and on demand learning opportunities which are continually updated on the NCRTM Events Page. You can also visit the Project E3 Archived Webcast Library to catch up with previous Project E3 webcasts.
NTACT is aware that state and local education and service providers are challenged by the current health concerns, closings, and restrictions associated with COVID19. For informal guidance, please see the March 2020 OSERS Q&A on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak, which outlines states’ responsibilities to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families, and to the staff serving these children. It is posted below. Additionally, the Office of Civil Rights Fact Sheet is available for reference. The U.S. Department of Education's mailbox for COVID questions is COVID-19@ed.gov.
If you have resources to share on serving transition-age students, while not attending school and work-sites in person, please send them to ntactmail@uncc.edu with a request that they be shared. NTACT will collate through submissions and share what is most pertinent.
This newsletter includes some acronyms for RSA-funded Technical Assistance Centers and other grantee offerings. Links to these centers are included in the “RSA-Funded Assistance and Other Resources” section of the NCRTM.
The National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM) is maintained by New Editions Consulting, Inc. and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), under Contract No. ED-OSE-16-Q-0006. All materials and products of the contractor do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department and no official endorsement should be inferred.
Go to the OSERS 
