Web viewLegislative proposals regarding vending machine healthy snacks and nutritional values, housing, and state park vendors have been of particular interest to the Council

STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL to the Department of Rehabilitation Services- Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016

Table of Contents

A. Council Purpose …………………………………...……2B. Council Duties ……………………………………………2C. Council Activities in FY 2016 ………………………….5D. 2016 Consumer Satisfaction …………………………..9 E. Membership Committee ………………………………..17F. BESB Vocational Rehabilitation Highlights 2016 …17G. Future State Rehabilitation Council Activities ……..19H. Members of the State Rehabilitation Council 2016…19I. Vocational Rehabilitation Success Story……………..21

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STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL to the Department of Rehabilitation Services- Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016

  A.   COUNCIL PURPOSE:  The State Rehabilitation Council (the Council or SRC), comprised of individuals appointed by the Governor, works in partnership with, and provides advice to the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)- Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program in Connecticut. BESB serves Connecticut’s adults who are legally blind and current or former transition-age students who are legally blind or visually impaired through ongoing educational, vocational and living skills programs in order to empower them to achieve employment success and to enhance their self-sufficiency. It is the purpose of the Council to advise the Governor of the State of Connecticut and BESB’s VR Program pertaining to the provisions of Title 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Services as described in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to individuals who are blind so that such individuals may prepare for, secure, retain, advance in or regain employment. B.   COUNCIL DUTIES:  

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The federal law under which the Council was formed, Section 105 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, specifies the functions of the Council.  They are:

(1) review, analyze, and advise the designated State unit regarding the performance of the responsibilities of the unit under this title, particularly responsibilities relating to--

(A) eligibility (including order of selection);

(B) the extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided; and

(C) functions performed by State agencies that affect or that potentially affect the ability of individuals with disabilities in achieving employment outcomes under this title;

(2) in partnership with the designated State unit--

(A) develop, agree to, and review State goals and priorities; and

(B) evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program and submit reports of progress to the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration;

(3) advise the designated State agency and the designated State unit regarding activities authorized to be carried out under this title, and assist in the preparation of the State plan and amendments to the plan, applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations required by this title;

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(4) to the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with-- (A) the functions performed by the designated State agency;

(B) vocational rehabilitation services provided by State agencies and other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act; and

(C) employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals receiving services under this title, including the availability of health and other employment benefits in connection with such employment outcomes;

(5) prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs operated within the State, and make the report available to the public;

(6) to avoid duplication of efforts and enhance the number of individuals served, coordinate activities with the activities of other councils within the State, including the Statewide Independent Living Council, the advisory panel established under section 612(a)(21) of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, the State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council described in section 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6024), the State mental health planning council established under section 1914(a) of the Public Health Service Act, and the State workforce development board and with the activities of entities carrying out the programs under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998;

(7) provide for coordination and the establishment of working relationships between the designated State agency

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and the Statewide Independent Living Council and centers for independent living within the State; and

(8) perform such other comparable functions, consistent with the purpose of this title, as the State Rehabilitation Council determines to be appropriate, that are comparable to the other functions performed by the Council.

 C. COUNCIL ACTIVITIES IN FY 2016:

The State Rehabilitation Council continues to be a valuable and active contributing partner to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and the Bureau as a whole.  Over the course of the past fiscal year the Council members have participated in many activities on behalf of the Bureau, as well as continuing their existing responsibilities as identified in the Rehabilitation Act. These activities included: VR Success Story: During FY 2016, the State Rehabilitation Council continued its initiative for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program whereby a standing agenda item for every Council meeting consists of a “VR Success Story”, in the form of a presentation by a BESB client who has achieved an employment outcome.  Typically explaining the type of work they are involved in and how BESB supports helped them with that work, both the Bureau and clients continue to respond positively to this initiative, as it provides the SRC with an opportunity to hear value-added and diverse perspectives on BESB’s ability to support clients and employers in the workplace.

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Consumer Satisfaction Survey:   The SRC commissioned the Center for Public Policy and Social Research (CPPSR) at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to conduct a consumer satisfaction survey of VR service recipients for FY 2016. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the services that clients received from the Vocational Rehabilitation Program at BESB. Results of the survey found that 98 percent of survey respondents would recommend BESB Vocational Rehabilitation Services to a friend, representing the highest rating for this category in the history of the survey. A complete summary of the findings are provided further into this report.

 Continuous Improvement:

Based upon the results of the FY 2015 Consumer Satisfaction Survey, the SRC utilized these results to develop with BESB strategies for assessing annual trends in the responses of survey respondents. Council members noted that while for one year ratings in particular categories might increase, in a subsequent year, the trend in that category might reverse while another category of service would trend upwards. The SRC members deliberated on these shifts and concluded that a more in-depth analysis of the results, categorized by each region of the State might prove useful in identifying possible reasons for variations. Toward that end, the Council invited members of the Center for Public Policy and Social Research at Central Connecticut State University to meet with the membership to discuss options and to design refinements to the survey instrument. In 2016, this new approach was undertaken and the results did indicate regional variations that are summarized further into this report.

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The State Rehabilitation Council also saw the new process of participating in the development of a Unified State Plan for the Workforce partners in the State as an opportunity to develop employer engagement goals that would have a broader reach and benefit from the coordinated outreach activities of the entire partnership. The goals and objectives developed in the Vocational Rehabilitation Section of the new Unified State Plan reflect this vision and the accompanying strategies that will broaden the reach of job development efforts across the state.

State Plan Development:

As referenced in the preceding section, the SRC worked closely with the Bureau to develop the Vocational Rehabilitation portion of the Unified State Plan draft for FY 2016-2017. The new format factors in the goals of the statewide workforce development system and the new requirements contained within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In participating in the development of the Bureau’s portion of the draft Unified State Plan, particular attention was paid to the collaborative process between the workforce partners. Emphasis was placed on reviewing how each of the partners had services that could be coordinated to best serve all of the participants within the workforce system. In this collaborative approach, the benefits of sharing strategies, informing other partners of activities that DORS-BESB is engaged in, and making much greater use of labor market information were all stressed in the goals and objectives outlined in the plan.

Programming and Sponsorships: The State Rehabilitation Council continues to support and sponsor the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), an annual week-long leadership training program for transition-age youth

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with disabilities. The SRC is an ongoing co-sponsor of this program and considers both its co-sponsorship and continued funding to be very important and worthwhile.

NCSAB / CSAVR 2016 Spring Conference:

This year, the SRC Chairperson was able to attend both the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB) and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) national conferences in April. The Chairperson attended conference seminars as well as participated in the visit to Washington, DC to meet with Connecticut’s Congressional delegation to educate them on how the VR Program assists people who are blind to achieve employment and self-sufficiency.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act Training:

The Chairperson attended a national training on the newly released federal regulations for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in Washington, D.C. This training focused on the major components of the regulations. The SRC looks forward to obtaining more in-depth detail about the provisions and allowances for allocations of the fifteen (15%) set aside of funding to serve youth with disabilities, particularly as it relates to the age range.

Other Committee Updates:

The Council vice chair, who also serves as the chair of the technology workgroup, attended the CSUN conference this year in San Diego in the first quarter. The Council evaluated recommendations delivered on new accessible technology, accessible transportation, and a low cost Amazon tablet that may reduce the gap in ability for job seekers to access

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technology. The Council is currently working with BESB on trials of this and related products to provide the best device for the most cost effective price point. The workgroup chair also attended a workshop sponsored by Google on the accessibility and functionality of their new screen reader and Chromebook. The technology workgroup will continue to seek cost effective technology to meet the needs of our constituents in their endeavor to obtain gainful and meaningful employment outcomes.

The legislative workgroup has been actively monitoring legislation that could potentially impact our constituents. Legislative proposals regarding vending machine healthy snacks and nutritional values, housing, and state park vendors have been of particular interest to the Council. In the upcoming year, the legislative workgroup will increase its visibility on behalf of the Council. The Council would like to thank the Governor and Connecticut Legislature for their commitment to ensure that BESB retains adequate funding to continue to serve all its clients.

 D. 2016 CONSUMER SATISFACTION: The State Rehabilitation Council commissioned the Center for Public Policy and Social Research (CPPSR) at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to conduct the consumer satisfaction survey for FY 2016.  This work represents a continuation of research conducted by the Center for Survey Research and Analysis (CSRA) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in prior years.  The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the level of satisfaction with the services that clients received from the Vocational Rehabilitation Program at BESB.  The Executive

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Summary from the CPPSR report is reproduced in its entirety immediately below.  Notable Findings for Fiscal Year 201 6   A. Overall

BESB continues to receive high marks for their Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services and counselors. Almost all of the clients surveyed (98%, up 2 percentage points) reported that they would recommend BESB Vocational Rehabilitation Services to a friend. This figure represents an all-time high for this question, improving upon the previous best set last year. Reported satisfaction regarding overall experiences with BESB services, as rated on a scale from 1-10, remains strong.

Reported satisfaction with BESB services climbed in two-out-of-four areas surveyed. These areas showing improvement included overall satisfaction with the services provided by BESB (8.35, up .02 in mean rating) and the extent to which services met the needs of clients (8.19, up .27 in mean rating). The extent to which VR services met clients’ expectations showed the most substantial decline (7.57, down .46 in mean rating).

Ratings of counselors remain strong, but were generally unable to match the high marks set last year. In 2016, two dimensions of counselors improved, while the remaining seven dimensions declined in mean ratings. The areas that saw improvement were counselors’ ability to develop clients’ IPEs (8.04, up .34 in mean rating) and client satisfaction with counselors’ referrals (8.54, up .09 in mean rating). Counselors’ ability to recognize clients’ special needs

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experienced the most sizable downturn in satisfaction (7.82, down .8 in mean rating).

Since survey reporting began in 2003, Low Vision and Rehabilitation and Adaptive Equipment have been the most widely-used BESB services, with each respectively averaging over a three-in-four utilization rate. For the second year in a row, Low Vision takes the top spot as the most highly utilized service (84%, down 5 percentage points). While use of this service did see a modest decline from the all-time high set last year (89%), 2016 represents the third-best utilization rate in the history of this survey. Rehabilitation and Adaptive Equipment experienced the largest uptick in use across all BESB services. Over four-in-five clients (83%, up 7 percentage points) reported use of the service, only 1% shy of Low Vision Services use for 2016. Reader Services presented the second-largest percentage point increase in use this year (20%, up 6 percentage points), notching the highest reported usage since 2012. Finally, Higher Education Training experienced an increase in use (27%, up 3 percentage points), recording an all-time survey high for this service.

In 2015, Rehabilitation and Adaptive Equipment was the lone service to experience a drop in usage. This year, half of all services (4 out of 8) saw a decline. As previously outlined, Low Vision reported a drop in use (5% use); however, it remains the most sought after service by VR clients. Similarly, Transportation Services reported a 5% drop in use, with 11% of clients using this service. Despite this decline, this year’s finding presents the second-highest usage figure reported since 2012. The most substantial decline was found with Small Business Service, with client use being cut in half (11%, down 11 percentage points) from 2015 figures. Similarly, use of Personal Care Attendant Service was also

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cut in half from last year (2%, down 2 percentage points). It is worth noting that this service has historically been one of the least utilized by VR clients, trending below a one-in-twenty utilization rate since 2012.

This year, the BESB Vocational Rehabilitation Division had 91 clients who achieved employment outcomes, a decline of 60 individuals from 2015. It should be noted that drawing definitive conclusions are difficult with a population of this size. Given this small population, no shifts in figures from 2015 to 2016 were deemed to be statistically significant. (Chairperson’s note: the actual number of employment outcomes is measured on a federal fiscal year (FFY) basis, while the Consumer Satisfaction Survey is conducted using state fiscal year data. The number of employment outcomes reported for the federal fiscal years had much less variation- 105 outcomes in FFY 2016 versus 115 in FFY 2015. Employment outcomes in competitive, integrated settings increased from 97 in FFY 2015 to 99 in FFY 2016).

B. Services

Using a 1 to 10-point scale, clients were asked to rate their overall satisfaction with BESB services. Compared to 2015 findings, two services experienced an increase in mean satisfaction rating, while the remaining six services saw declines. The largest satisfaction increase came from Personal Care Attendant Services (10, up 1 in mean rating), which notched the highest possible rating available for this survey. This matches the all-time high set in 2007, a year in which a perfect score was also observed. Rehabilitation and Adaptive Equipment Services also enjoyed an increase in its mean satisfaction rating (8.7, up .23 in mean rating), landing the second-highest score since 2012.

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The service that experienced the largest decline in satisfaction was Transportation Services (6.8, down 1.87 in mean rating), falling to the third-lowest reported average in the history of the survey. Small Business Services also reported a sizable drop (7, down 1.38 in mean rating); however, this change follows a record-breaking year set in 2015. After experiencing a year that broke the 9.0 mean rating threshold (2015), a phenomenon that has not happened since 2009, Reader Services was unable to sustain its upward momentum (8.25, down 1.02 in mean rating). The remaining two services each registered a similar decline in mean satisfaction, with Skills Training (8.16, down .63 in mean rating) and Low Vision (8, down .62 in mean rating) each landing the fourth-lowest rating in the history of the survey.

Clients were asked to rate their overall experiences with BESB services on a 1 to 10-point scale, in addition to their IPE, timeframe of delivery of service, and the extent to which the services provided met their expectations. They were also asked, based on their personal experience, if they would recommend BESB to others.

Reported satisfaction with BESB services climbed in two-out-of-the-four areas surveyed. Overall satisfaction with the services provided by BESB enjoyed a small uptick in mean rating (8.35, up .02 in mean rating), continuing to build upon the high marks received last year. The extent to which services met the needs of clients climbed considerably (8.19, up .27 in mean rating), notching the second-best mean rating in the history of this survey.

While services met the needs of clients in 2016, these same services fell short of clients’ expectations. The extent to which VR services met client expectations declined noticeably this year (7.57, down .46 in mean rating). While

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this drop is sizable, these findings fall in line with the mean ratings recorded prior to 2015. From 2012-2014, the mean rating for this question was 7.72, with 2016 findings falling just below this average (.15 below in mean rating). Finally, the extent to which services met client IPEs also experienced a decline in mean ratings (7.86, down .33 in mean rating). Similar to ratings on the prior question, this metric now returns to findings similar to those observed prior to 2015. Looking over the thirteen-year history of the survey, this particular element of BESB service has accrued a mean rating of 7.88. This year’s findings fall in line with the historical average for this question (.02 below in mean rating).

C. Counselors

Average ratings of counselors were mixed in 2016, with most measures being unable to sustain the high marks observed last year. In 2015, four dimensions of counselors improved, four declined in mean ratings, and one remained unchanged. In 2016, two dimensions of counselors improved, while the remaining seven declined in mean ratings.

The dimension of counselors that saw the most sizable improvement was their ability to develop client IPEs (8.04, up .34 in mean rating). This mean rating is strong for this particular dimension of counselors, notching the fifth-best average in the history of the survey. Satisfaction with referrals also enjoyed an improvement in ratings (8.54, up .09 in mean rating). Notably, this mean rating represents the highest recorded figure since 2012.

The remaining seven dimensions of counselors measured in this survey experienced declines in mean satisfaction ratings. Counselors’ ability to recognize clients’ special

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needs saw the most substantial downturn (7.82, down .8 in mean rating). While this decline is notable, this figure now returns to findings similar to those observed prior to 2015 (2014 mean was 7.82). Understanding the process for complaint resolution declined to its lowest mean rating in the history of this survey (6.71, down .74 in mean rating). Looking across all dimensions of counselors for the past thirteen years, this figure represents the lowest mean rating in the history of this survey. Prior to this occurrence, no mean had ever fallen below 7.22 (recorded in 2009 for counselors’ ability to recognize clients’ special needs). Counselors’ ability to identify clients’ career goals declined to its second-lowest mean in the history of the survey (7.45, down .61 in mean rating). Professionalism of counselors recorded the lowest mean rating for this dimension of counselors (8.55, down .51 in mean rating), with knowledge of counselors experiencing a similar decrease (8.43, down .48 in mean rating). More modest mean decreases were observed with the final two dimensions of counselors. Client sentiment towards understanding their Vocational Rehabilitation rights experienced a modest decline (8.15, down .31 in mean rating), as did counselors’ ability to provide information in a format that clients could use (8.51, down .24 in mean rating).

D. Regional Trends

New to this fiscal year, regional analysis was performed on the nine dimensions of counselors discussed above. Overall, clients in the South Central region reported the highest levels of satisfaction, notching the top ratings on five of the nine dimensions measured (professionalism of counselors, knowledge of counselors, understanding VR rights and responsibilities, counselors’ ability to develop an IPE, and recognizing clients’ special needs in regards to

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employment). The Southwestern region took the top spot on three measures (satisfaction of referrals, providing information in a format clients can use, and identifying clients’ career goals). Finally, the Eastern region received the highest marks for helping clients understand the complaint resolution process. Notably, the South Central region ranked either first or second in satisfaction in eight out of the nine areas surveyed, reflecting a broad scope to the region’s VR success.

Clients in the Northwestern and North Central regions reported the lowest levels of satisfaction on these nine dimensions of counselors. Residents of the Northwestern region expressed the lowest satisfaction rating on five measures (counselors’ ability to develop an IPE, identifying clients’ career goals, recognizing clients’ special needs in regards to employment, understanding VR rights and responsibilities, and helping clients understand the complaint resolution process), while clients in the North Central region issued the lowest satisfaction ranking on the remaining four dimensions (providing information in a format clients can use, satisfaction of referrals, knowledge of counselors, and professionalism of counselors). Also new to this fiscal year, regional analysis was performed on four additional dimensions of BESB service, including clients’ overall satisfaction with counselors, the extent to which clients felt services met their IPE, counselors’ ability to explain delays in service, and clients’ overall satisfaction with services received. Clients in the South Central region reported the highest levels of satisfaction, notching the top ratings on all four dimensions of BESB service. Taken in conjunction with the regional analysis of counselors described earlier, South Central clearly emerges as the most highly-rated territory by VR clients. Residents of the

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Northwestern region continued to express some of the lowest satisfaction ratings among the five VR territories, occupying the bottom position on two-out-of-the-four items measured (counselors’ ability to explain delays in service and clients’ overall satisfaction with services received). The Southwestern (extent to which clients felt services met their IPE) and North Central (clients’ overall satisfaction with counselors) territories registered the lowest satisfaction rating on the remaining two dimensions of VR service.

E.     MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE:  In FY 2016, the BESB State Rehabilitation Council continued recruitment, filling the seats vacated by members whose terms ended.  New appointments occurred in the categories of Recipient of Services and Statewide Parent Organization, while reappointments to second terms occurred in the categories of consumer organization, Workforce Investment Board, Client Assistance Program, Employer, and State Education Agency. The membership of the State Rehabilitation Council extends their appreciation to the Office of the Governor for assisting in these appointments and reappointments, and looks forward to processing appointments of new members in this coming year. In the coming year, the State Rehabilitation Council will continue to seek new members in the categories of Statewide Independent Living Council, employer, and current or former recipients of services in order to replace members whose terms have or will be expiring.   F.   BESB VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2016:

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The Vocational Rehabilitation Program achieved 99 competitive employment outcomes in FY 2016, surpassing the prior year’s performance in this category.

Combined annualized earnings exceeded $3.4 million for the clients served, with average hourly earnings also increasing, reaching $20.85 per hour.

In FY 2016, client satisfaction results indicated that 98 percent of clients would recommend BESB Vocational Rehabilitation services to a friend, achieving the highest rating on this question in the history of the survey.

DORS-BESB transition-age students had an opportunity to attend a Disability Mentoring Day event at the UTC Aerospace Facility in Windsor Locks, CT. This year 7 students attended the exciting and informative program along with some of their parents. Families came from all over the state, to participate in this opportunity.

The Connecticut Department of Labor and the Department of Rehabilitation Services in partnership with Workforce Partners, Department of Developmental Services and Connecticut Business Leadership Network held two Diverse-Ability Career Fairs in FY 2016. Over 30 employers attended each job fair, representing manufacturing, financial, health and customer service occupations. 

Transition School to Work services and programs included residential college campus experiences, leadership development camps, mobility instruction camps and paid work opportunities for over 40 students in FY 2016.

With the addition of new federal funds received through the reallotment process, BESB successfully served all eligible

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clients in FY 2016 and projects that FY 2017 will also be a year that every eligible client can be served.

G.   FUTURE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL ACTIVITIES:  In FY 2017, the Council will continue its role as a partner with the BESB Vocational Rehabilitation Program to ensure the delivery of services that give clients the tools they need to prepare for, obtain and maintain meaningful careers.   The SRC will work together with the Bureau to update the BESB portion of the Unified State Plan, including the monitoring of progress made to achieve the goals and objectives established in the FY 2016-2017 plan. Additionally, the members of the Council will assess the result of the 2016 Consumer Satisfaction Survey with a goal of recommending new strategies to address levels of satisfaction that experienced declines from prior years. In particular, the SCR will further assess the implications of the regional trends in the survey results to determine if strategies for continuous improvement should be implemented equally on a statewide basis or whether there are unique strategies that would be more applicable to particular regions.

The Council will look forward to additional research on adaptive technology devices that are new to the market and that can provide for increased participation of Vocational Rehabilitation clients in job seeking activities using web-based search engines.

H.   MEMBERS OF THE STATE REHABILITATION COUNCIL IN 2016:

The Council is required by federal law to ensure representation of the Bureau’s constituents and employers. 

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It is committed to seeking appointments of members most qualified to advise the State Director and the Council.  The Council is further committed to diversity in gender, race, disability, geography, and affiliation.  The Council continuously recruits prospective members who can enhance its diversity.  The Council has enjoyed success this year through an active membership, committed to the delivery of quality services to BESB clients.   Per the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act, membership comprises: 

• One Connecticut Independent Living Centers representative

• One parent training and information center representative

• One client assistance program representative • One representative of community rehabilitation program

service providers • Four representatives of business, industry and labor • One vocational rehabilitation counselor (nonvoting) • Representatives of disability advocacy groups • One representative of the State Education Agency with

knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Act  • Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Unit (nonvoting) • One State Workforce Investment Board representative • One representative of a Section 121 Native American

Vocational Rehabilitation Program  The 2016 Council members and their affiliations were: Nyema Pinkney, Chair (Employer)Alan Gunzburg, Vice Chair (Recipient of Services)Nathaniel Barnes, Secretary (Recipient of Services)

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Diann Murray, Treasurer (Recipient of Services)Marisel DeCordova (Client Assistance Program, CAP)Colleen Hayles (Department of Education) Brian Sigman, Ex Officio (BESB State Director)Diane Weaver Dunne (Community Provider)Steven Famiglietti (Community Rehabilitation Provider)Gary Gross, (Recipient of Services)Jeannette Rodriguez - Perez, Ex Officio (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor)Ellen Telker (Employer)Carl Noll (Parent Representative of Client)Beth Reel (Statewide Parent Organization)Kathleen Marioni (Connecticut Workforce System)Kimberly Tindall (Consumer Organization)Patrick Melfi (Native American VR Program)Michael Bartley (Labor Department Representative)

I. VR Success Story:

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Albert Kelley reached out to Vocational Rehabilitation Services at BESB in June 2013. At that time, Mr. Kelley was struggling with housing issues and finding work without much job history. With the provision of low vision aids and low vision adaptive technology through Vocational Rehabilitation, he was ready to be referred by his VR Counselor to Futures Inc. a local Community Rehabilitation Program for job placement services. Futures Inc. assisted the client with a Work Evaluation for maintenance services at the Connecticut Department of Transportation. After a successful Work Evaluation which showed a high degree of motivation to work, his BESB VR Counselor and supervisor decided to go forward with a paid BESB Internship for three months which resulted in his full-time hire with Capital Cleaners shortly thereafter. Mr. Kelley has stated several times that he is “happy to have the opportunity to work for such a great company”. Albert’s success was made possible through collaboration, the receptiveness of Capitol Cleaners, and BESB Vocational Rehabilitation. Congratulations to Albert for your determination and accomplishments!

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