Directs the commissioner of education to include communication support services as a vocational rehabilitation service

2 Co-sponsors

• George Latimer
• Bill Perkins

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to vocational rehabilitation services for enhancing communication support

Purpose or general idea of bill

To offer consumers of vocational rehabilitation services in the State of New York access to communication support services in order to improve their ability to secure gainful and meaningful employment outcomes.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: The education law is amended by adding a new section 1004-c, Communication support services. This new section directs the commissioner of education to promulgate new regulations to include communication support services as a vocational rehabilitation service, defines individuals eligible for such support and how services should be rendered, and defines 'communication support services' for the purposes of this legislation.

Section 2: Effective Date

Justification

In New York State, unemployment rates are substantially higher for people with disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation services are instrumental by providing employment and rehabilitation services to those seeking gainful and meaningful employment. The inclusion of communication support services in the suite of vocational rehabilitation services offered through programs like ACCES VR could improve employment outcomes for some job-seekers, particularly those with autism.

Many individuals with disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, may have difficulty with interpersonal communication that can hinder their ability to find and maintain employment, even when they possess job skills, higher education, and access to existing vocational rehabilitation services.

This bill addresses these shortcomings by directing the commissioner of the New York State Education Department to promulgate new regulations to rehabilitation services program staff to include communication support among the suite of services currently offered to job seekers.

In the context of this bill, communication support is defined as treatment and services that focus on improving communication-related skills. These include, but are not limited to, dialog strategies for initiating and exiting communication of intent, topic maintenance, dissolving hostile situations resulting from ineffective attempts at independent communication, preparing, strategizing and organizing information for written communication, and preparing for upcoming interpersonal communication situations.

Finally, this legislation requires that these services be provided by qualified providers.

Prior legislative history

New legislation.

Fiscal implications

None. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect January 1, 2017.