From the Minnesota State Services for the Blind:

SSB does not have a minimum sign language proficiency requirements for its counselors serving our Deaf Blind individuals, though having experience using ASL is a preferred qualification on job postings.

From State of Oregon DHS-Vocational Rehabilitation:

At this time, no minimum proficiency (based on objective data) is required, but as a part of the Oregon Department of Human Services, VR will move to requiring language proficiency for staff who receive the “bilingual” pay differential for spoken languages or ASL; for ASL proficiency, the expectation will be that staff score at least a 3 on the ASLPI instrument. The only promotional opportunities related to D/HOH services we have within Oregon VR are one “lead” RCD position and the State Coordinator for D/HOH Services (which is a portion of the duties of the person in my present position). We do not, at present, require “higher levels” of ASL proficiency for those two positions.

From the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services:

RCD must obtain a rating of advance on the SLPI.   Rehabilitation Case Coordinators must obtain an intermediate on the SLPI.    Ratings above advanced are not required for promotional opportunities.

From the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission: 

For an RCD at RSC, we require a minimum of Novice Plus on the SLPI and a level 2 on the ASLPI.

From Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services:

No, positions are just advertised as “signing skills required”, SCPI (Sign Communication Proficiency Interview) can be used to assess skills.

From the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation:

We do not have written proficiency requirements for the RCD position. Our RCDs meet with staff proficient in sign language as part of the interview process.  When I was hired as an RCD back in 1988, I met one-on-one with the SCD. (I am now the SCD… and the program evaluation person… Delaware is a small state!)  We have only two RCDs; one was hired in 1987 and the other in 1995, both before I was SCD.

From the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services:

No. Signing skills are assessed during the interview process (no formal testing, etc).  No additional higher levels for promotion.

January 29, 2013 admin Comments Off on — (01/23/2013) Regarding rehabilitation counselors for the deaf and hard of hearing, does your state have a minimum sign language proficiency requirement for the position with additional higher levels required for promotional opportunities?

From the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services:

Severity is based on functional limitations. RSA told us years ago that we could not use dB loss or speech discrimination as part of the eligibility determination. We generally use the concept of… is there a hearing loss? If yes, then we look at functional limitations.

From the Minnesota State Services for the Blind:

SSB does not utilize an Order of Selection.  For our Deafblind customers, eligibility is based on vision.  SSB does have a system of classifying individuals as DeafBlind by taking into account diagnosis, prognosis, and dB loss.

From the State of Oregon DHS-Vocational Rehabilitation:

In Oregon VR, we use functional loss to determine severity of disability in D/HOH consumers, as we do with all other disability groups. A couple of years ago, our RCDs worked with me to create the attached Functional Loss Indicators document. We use it as a training tool as well as a reference for field staff. The guide could apply to nearly any disability group–it’s based on the foundations of Rehabilitation, after all–but we have noticed an increase in accurate and effective determination of functional loss by ALL VRCs, not just the RCDs, since we implemented its use. Because we only have 13 RCDs statewide, some Deaf and many HOH clients are served by general VRCs in their local offices; this document has helped those staff immeasurably.

Attachments:

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From the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services:

The severity of disability is determined by the individual’s functional limitations.

From the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission:

Ohio is also an Order of Selection state. Severity of disability is based solely on functional limitations.

From Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services:

Severity of Disability is ranked on functional limitations.

Attachments:

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From the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation:

We use an Order of Selection. We do not use the dB loss as the determination of SD or MSD. We use functional limitations and the requirement that the person need multiple significant services lasting 6 months or longer.

From Montana Vocational Rehabilitation:

Montana has never been under OOS, but anticipates that we will be within the next two years. Currently the disability ranking is based solely on functional limitations.

January 25, 2013 admin Comments Off on — (01/23/2013) Louisiana utilizes an Order of Selection. For consumers who are Deaf, or Hard of Hearing, upon determining eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services in your state, is severity of disability ranked based on dB loss or loss of speech discrimination, or is severity of disability ranked solely based on functional limitations?