AT Resource Guide

Funding AT for Vocational Purposes

In Ohio, students with disabilities ages 14, or earlier if the IEP team determines it is appropriate, formally enter the secondary transition process. At this time, the IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessment (AATA) related to education and training, competitive integrated employment and, if data supports a need, independent living. The IEP must also include transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the student in reaching those goals. The student’s use of or need for AT may be documented directly within the following key elements of the transition plan:

  • AATA – Information gathered and documented during the AATA should include any AT that the student is currently using or may need in order to move toward achieving the postsecondary goals.
  • Transition Service/Activities – If it is determined during the AATA process that the student may need AT the IEP team should consider whether a transition service/activity should be developed to address the need. For example, an occupational therapist may train the student how to use the AT during a work-based learning experience.
  • Measurable Postsecondary Goals – If the student uses AT to achieve postsecondary goals, the IEP team may consider including a reference to the AT within the goal(s).

For more information, visit the Lifespan Transitions Center at OCALI.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

OOD is the State of Ohio agency that empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Services are provided to individuals with disabilities through four main branches: the Division of Disability Determination (DDD), Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI), and the Division of Employer & Innovation Services (EIS). These branches partner with a variety of nonprofits, schools, businesses and other organizations to provide services to individuals with disabilities with the goal of obtaining employment.

The Vocational Rehabilitation department and the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) have historically funded AT as needed for individuals with disabilities to obtain or maintain employment as well as to assist in the pursuit of employment. The Vocational Rehabilitation department works directly with the individual to determine eligibility of services and then works one-on-one with a person to provide career exploration, skill development, training, job placement, assistive technology and more. The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, assists eligible people with low vision and blindness, beginning at age 14, by providing direct, personalized services to assist them in finding and retaining meaningful work and personal independence.

Federal Quota

The Federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind enacted by Congress in 1879 established funding known as Federal Quota, which is supplemental funding, can for the provision of educational materials for registered students who meet the definition of blindness (MDB), function at the definition of blindness (FDB) or the qualify under the “IDEA definition of a student with a visual impairment” as defined by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). Adults are also eligible for Federal Quota funding when enrolled in vocational or rehabilitation programs and have completed at least 120 hours of documented instruction in the previous calendar year. Those with prior college experience who are not currently enrolled in college also qualify. While social and leisure programs do not count as instruction, skill development practice can be included in instructional hours. Eligible adults must meet the definition of blindness (MDB) or function at the definition of blindness (FDB). Educational materials may include braille and large print textbooks and supplemental learning materials, audiobooks, and AT. Funding is based on an annual registration of eligible students in each state which determines a per capita amount of money designated for LEAs to use on behalf of registered blind students for the purchase of educational materials produced by APH. In Ohio, the annual registration of student/adults and subsequent management of the designated Federal Quota funds are administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the OCALI AT&AEM Center. Materials can be requested for registered students by using the Online Order Request Portal. While some materials may be able to be provided through Federal Quota, it is supplemental funding and may not address all the needs of a student.