I am very pleased to share the final outcomes of what has been a year-long passion project: The 2022 Model State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Deaf People.
Together with an infographic that highlights top priorities in the field, this 111-page report charts an ambitious and proactive leap forward in how state vocational rehabilitation agencies support deaf people in their employment and career pathways.
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“[My state] has agreed to remove decibel loss for determining eligibility for those with hearing loss. I’m so happy! The Model State Plan does work!”
Through multiple rounds of discussion and feedback, the 2022 Model State Plan represents a comprehensive guide to vocational rehabilitation services that are both deaf-centered and reflective of current research, application, and best practices. The format of these resources is user-friendly and geared towards thoughtful and proactive state level implementation.
Commissioned by the Deaf Professionals Network
The newly formed Deaf Professionals Network (DPN) at the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) commissioned the revision of the Model State Plan as one of its first priorities. Completed during 2021 and released in early 2022, this revised Model State Plan serves not only as an update but also as a living resource for the community.
The 2022 Model State Plan includes key topics such as:
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Historical context of vocational rehabilitation services for deaf people
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Systemic barriers to employment and the importance of a deaf-centered approach
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Current issues in eligibility, service provision, and funding
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Partnerships, businesses, community resources, and stakeholder engagement
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Example service sequence from secondary grades through independent living
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Program improvement, personnel, and professional development
Why This Report? Why Now?
The last version of the Model State Plan was completed in 2008. There have been several significant events in the time since then, many which directly impact deaf people and their employment and career pathways. This report was designed address critical contemporary issues such as:
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Impact of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act
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Need to address accessibility for deaf vocational rehabilitation professionals
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Advocacy for State Coordinators of the Deaf and senior leadership
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Pre-service training gaps for serving deaf people
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New technology tools and evolving communication platforms
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Shift to deaf-centered perspectives to anchor vocational rehabilitation services
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Pending retirements of experienced professionals in the field
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Short and long term impacts of COVID-19
A Career Highlight
I am truly honored to have had this opportunity to work with the DPN on this project. My experience as Director of the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes — particularly work with national partners and state agency leadership — were instrumental in shaping my approach to dialog and synthesizing priorities. Our research not only on vocational rehabilitation practices, but also on the differential education and employment outcomes for deaf people, is infused throughout the report.
Collaboration made this an incredible experience, and collaboration was such a valued part of this process — between our editorial and design team, the DPN leadership and its membership, and external partners.
In my ongoing work towards systems change and policies that work for disabled people, the 2022 Model State Plan is a highlight of my career.
Visit the CSAVR website to download an accessible PDF of the full report and infographic.