Independent Living Program Manual

Introduction

The purpose of the Independent Living Program is to promote a philosophy of independent living including consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual as well as system advocacy. This policy manual is used to administer the Iowa Department for the Blind’s (IDB’s) Independent Living (IL) Program Services.

The first of these programs is designed to serve Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB). The OIB program grant is awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). This program is authorized by Title VII, Chapter 2 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. The RSA is a federal agency under the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and is headquartered in the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. It was established to provide leadership and resources to assist states and other agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and other services to individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence, and integration into the community and the competitive labor market.

The primary purpose of the OIB program is to provide:

• Independent Living services to blind individuals who are 55 years and older where employment is not a chosen life or economic priority, but rather the individual seeks to improve or increase their independence and self-sufficiency to achieve independent living;
• Activities that will improve or expand services for these individuals; and
• Activities to improve public understanding and the misperceptions these individuals face.

The Act contains a formula grant provision and allows all Title VII grantees to carry over unobligated funds for an additional fiscal year. States participating in the OIB program must match every $9 of federal funds with $1 in nonfederal cash or in-kind resources in the year for which the federal funds are appropriated.

A second program administered by Independent Living is the IL Younger Blind program. The purpose of the Independent Living Program is to promote a philosophy of independent living including consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, individual and system advocacy.

This is a separate grant that the agency receives to serve individuals who are blind or who have severe vision loss, are under the age of 55 and have a secondary disability and where through informed choice employment is not a consideration. This grant is awarded from the U.S. Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living program, Independent Living Administration.

The federal Independent Living (IL) program seeks to empower and enable individuals with disabilities, particularly individuals with significant disabilities, to exercise full choice and control over their lives and to live independently in their communities. For over 40 years, these aims have been advanced through two federal programs:

1. Independent Living Services (ILS); and
2. Centers for Independent Living (referred to as CILs or Centers).

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) as Amended, transferred Title VII, Chapter 1, Part B and Part C of the Rehabilitation Act as Amended (i.e. Independent Living programs) to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and created a new Independent Living Administration within the agency, adding section 701A of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. 796–1. As part of the transfer, the Administrator of ACL drafted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that was published on November 16, 2015, to implement changes made by WIOA in accordance with Section 12 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 709(e), and section 491(f) of WIOA, 42 U.S.C. 3515e(f).

The ACL is housed under the U.S. Health & Human Services (U.S.H. & H.S.) in Washington, D.C. The Independent Living Services (ILS) program provides financial assistance, through formula grants, to states and territories for providing, expanding, and improving the provision of Independent Living Services. To be eligible to receive financial assistance, states must:

1. develop, submit and receive approval on a Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), and
2. establish and maintain a Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).

The ILS program funding provides resources to the state to support the work of the SILC, the Designated State Entity (DSE), and the Designated State Unit (DSU). In addition, the DSE is responsible to receive, account for, and disburse the ILS funds. In Iowa, the named DSE is currently Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS). The remainder of funds may be used for other approved activities as reflected in an approved SPIL including, but not limited to providing IL services to individuals with significant disabilities, particularly those in unserved areas of the state.

This manual is the primary resource for IL division staff to deliver services and goods necessary for clients to achieve success while staying in compliance with federal and state laws.

Policies

34 C.F.R. Section 361.48 requires IDB to develop and maintain current policies concerning the nature, scope, and criteria under which each service is provided. The Policy documents contain the rules, guidelines, and definitions that guide all activities and procedures.

Procedures

The procedures include specific steps and other important information necessary to complete a task. The Procedures are designed to provide Independent Living Rehabilitation (ILR) teachers with practical guidance in completing the day-to-day tasks of the job.

IDB Mission

Empower blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently.

IDB Vision

To be the world’s leader in blind rehabilitation services

Value Statements

We value blind Iowans therefore:

• We believe in each individual’s ability to be independent;
• We act with a sense of urgency and responsiveness in serving every individual;
• We support each individual’s right to informed choices;
• We value engagement and independence for individuals of all ages;
• We promote a positive attitude toward blindness;
• We expect blind persons to achieve their full potential;
• We provide opportunities for blind persons to be fully contributing members of their communities.

All staff are valued and expected to demonstrate:

• Passion for what we do every day;
• Commitment to make positive differences in the lives of blind Iowans;
• Respect for the contributions of each staff member;
• Ethical behavior, honesty, integrity and trustworthiness;
• Innovative and proactive approaches in serving each client;
• Progressive and professional leadership;
• Collaboration and teamwork that benefits each individual we serve;
• Collaboration with community, local, state and federal partners.

Our Culture

We use a client-centric approach to empower clients to achieve successful outcomes.

Department Philosophy & Principles

The programs of IDB are based on the belief that the real problem of blindness does not lie in the physical loss of eyesight, but rather in the misconceptions about blindness held so widely by the general public and by many blind persons themselves.

The Department Affirms

• The Department operates on the established and well-demonstrated truth that blindness need not be a barrier to leading a full life as a first-class citizen in society.
• That blind persons have the same rights and responsibilities as all other citizens to self-determination, including the right to enjoy full integration in all aspects of society.
• That the blind constitutes a minority group who must overcome the misconceptions and discriminations that result from this status;
• That agencies and programs for the blind should assist blind persons and their organizations to succeed in fulfilling their aspirations.
• That all staff of the Department will be qualified individuals trained in the delivery of services based on the agency’s philosophy.
• That the Department shall provide the widest range of pre-vocational training, vocational training, independent living training, library services, and other ancillary services so that all customers have as much opportunity as possible to make informed choices concerning life goals;
  and That the Department in its staffing policy is cognizant of the value and importance of hiring qualified persons who may be blind.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Eligibility requirements are applied without regard to sex, race, age, type of disability, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity of the individual applying for services. 34 C.F.R. 364.41. No upper age limit may be set which would, in and of itself, result in a finding of ineligibility; however, persons receiving independent living services for older individuals who are blind or with severe vision loss must be at least 55 years of age.

Residence Requirements

No residence requirements, durational or other, which would exclude an individual presently in the state who meets basic eligibility requirements, will be imposed. Green cards are not required. This program serves all persons, including those who are homeless, if they meet with visual and other policy and program requirements.

Preferred Mode of Communication 

34 C.F.R. § 361.51(c)(1) (2002)

The Department will provide individuals with a choice of media for all documents generated for them or provide information from the agency. Choices will include standard print, large print, Braille, electronic, or audio.

Interpreter Services

34 C.F.R. § 361.48(j) (2002)

The Department will provide interpreter services that are necessary to enable an applicant or eligible individual to achieve an employment or independent living outcome.

Language translators and/or sign language interpreter services for applicants or clients who are blind, deafblind, hard of hearing or Non-English-speaking will be provided when identified as a need. We will make every effort to ensure that securing a language translator or sign language interpreter service does not affect the provision of timely services.

Joint planning between the individual and the ILR teacher will be used to determine the amount of interpreter service to be provided. Consideration will be given to availability, preferred mode of communication, and cost. When possible, interpreter services will be provided by qualified personnel. Comparable services and benefits will be used to the maximum extent appropriate. Services will be provided in the most integrated setting possible consistent with the individual’s informed choice.

Legal Authority

Authority for the operation of the IDB is provided by the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 2014 by the WIOA, and by Chapter 216B of the Iowa Code.