The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act) calls for periodic comprehensive statewide needs assessments to be conducted jointly by each state’s vocational rehabilitation agency and State Rehabilitation Council to inform the State Plan. According to the Act comprehensive statewide needs assessments focus on several VR subpopulations and services: individuals with most significant disabilities, including those in need of supported employment; unserved and underserved individuals, including minorities; individuals served by other parts of the statewide workforce investment employment system; and establishment, development or improvement of community rehabilitation programs.
There are two sections- one for tools used in designing and gathering information for the needs assessment and the other is final comprehensive statewide needs assessment reports from different states.
Tools
VR Needs Assessment Guide – Appendices