UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

> INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
>
> RSA-IM-02-14
>
> DATE: March 7, 2002

ADDRESSEES: STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (GENERAL)

> STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (BLIND)
>
> REGIONAL REHABILITATION CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
>
> RSA REHABILITATION COUNSELING LONG-TERM TRAINING PROJECTS
>
> STATE REHABILITATION COUNCILS
>
> CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
>
> PROTECTION & ADVOCACY OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS PROGRAMS
>
> AMERICAN INDIAN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
>
> CONSUMER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
>
> RSA SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

SUBJECT : Call for Topics - 29th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues
(2002-2003)

CONTENT : This Information Memorandum (IM) is to request your assistance
in identifying topics for the 29th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues
(IRI). For fifty-five years, the IRI has been an activity unique to the
State-Federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program, in which
rehabilitation professionals and others with special expertise on the
topics selected for study, come together to discuss the issues and to
develop current and innovative training materials to improve the skills
of VR professionals. In this manner, the VR program is able to develop
timely publications containing solutions to some of the most pressing
challenges facing the rehabilitation field.

On May 5, 2002, the IRI Planning Committee will discuss the topics
considered to be most relevant for study. This meeting occurs
immediately prior to the National IRI Forum, which will be held on May
6-7, 2002, at the Radisson Hotel -- Old Town, 901 N. Fairfax Street,
Alexandria, Virginia. The topics selected for study during the next IRI
cycle will be announced at the opening session of the Forum on Monday,
May 6.

> The criteria used by the IRI Planning Committee to select the topics
> for study are:
>
> 1\. The topic is currently one of concern to a large number of State
> VR agencies.
>
> 2\. It is a topic that can be completed within a year.
>
> 3\. There are recognized experts or a body of literature that will be
> available to the prime study group.

The basic purposes of the IRI are to identify and discuss current issues
of importance to the State-Federal VR program, and to publish materials,
which can be used by persons responsible for staff development in the
State VR agencies, Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs
(RRCEP), Rehabilitation Counselor Long-Term Training Programs, and by
others concerned about staff development in rehabilitation. For many
years, the IRI topics have been of great importance as a technical
assistance resource to the rehabilitation community. The publications
resulting from the IRI are widely distributed to the State VR agencies,
State Rehabilitation Councils, RRCEPs, university rehabilitation
counselor degree programs and consumer groups identified during the
course of the study group meetings.

> Clearly, wide dissemination and utilization of the products resulting
> from the IRI are the goals of all concerned. Approximately 3,500
> copies of each publication are printed, depending upon the level of
> interest expressed. IRI publications are also placed on the university
> coordinators' web sites, and are available from the National Clearing
> House on Rehabilitation Training Materials. It is the goal of the IRI
> Planning Committee to improve and enhance the use of the IRI
> publications by VR practitioners in all rehabilitation settings, and
> to ensure that the documents are meeting current training needs.
>
> Attached is a list of IRI topics developed in recent years. Also
> attached is the form, which you may use when submitting topics. Please
> submit suggested topics no later than March 29, 2001, to Charles
> Sadler, the RSA IRI Coordinator.
>
> When submitting topics, please be sure that you have included
> sufficient information on the form so that appropriate decisions on
> the selection of topics can be made. After selecting the topics for
> study, the Commissioner will assign one to each of the two university
> coordinators.

Membership on an IRI study group is both a privilege and an honor and we
appreciate your continued interest and support of the IRI process.

> Joanne M. Wilson
>
> Commissioner

Attachments: Previous IRI Topics & Topic Selection Form

CC: Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation

National Organization of Rehabilitation Partners

**PREVIOUS INSTITUTE ON REHABILITATION SERVICES (IRS) and**

**INSTITUTE ON REHABILITATION ISSUES (IRI) TOPICS**

###### IRS PUBLICATIONS

[First IRS (1963)]{.underline}

1.  Case Recording

2.  Medical Consultation

3.  Motivation

[Second IRS (1964)]{.underline}

1.  Medical Consultation

2.  Motivation

[Third IRS (1965)]{.underline}

1.  Caseload Management

2.  Evaluation of Vocational Potential

3.  Training Aids and Materials

[Fourth IRS (1966)]{.underline}

1.  Training Methods

2.  Evaluation Units

[Fifth IRS (1967)]{.underline}

1.  Public Information

2.  Public Offender

[Sixth IRS (1968)]{.underline}

1.  Alcoholic

2.  Support Personnel

3.  Cooperative Programs in VR

[Seventh IRS (1969)]{.underline}

1.  Behavioral Disorders

2.  Closure of Cases

3.  SSDI Beneficiaries

[Eighth IRS (1970)]{.underline}

1.  Disabled Disadvantages (Rural)

2.  First-line Supervision

3.  Staff Development

[Ninth IRS (1971)]{.underline}

1.  Drug Abuse

2.  Placement and Follow-up

3.  Expediting Services

[Tenth IRS (1972)]{.underline}

1.  Public Assistance Client

2.  Program Evaluation

3.  Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment

[Eleventh IRS (1973)]{.underline}

l.  Severely Disabled

```{=html}
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3.  Deaf

4.  Blind

###### IRI PUBLICATIONS

[First IRI (1974)]{.underline}

1.  Severely Handicapped

2.  Measurement of Outcomes

3.  Assessment of Rehabilitation Counselor Performance

[Second IRI (I975)]{.underline}

1.  Placement of the Severely Handicapped

2.  Consumer Involvement

3.  Severe Delivery Systems

[Third IRI (1976)]{.underline}

1.  Post Employment Services

2.  Affirmative Action

3.  Legal Concerns of the Rehabilitation Counselor

[Fourth IRI (1977)]{.underline}

1.  Homebound Employment - AR

2.  Rehabilitation Facilities - Stout

3.  Utilization of Material of the IRI - WV

[Fifth IRI (1978)]{.underline}

1.  Independent Living - AK

2.  Similar Benefits - Stout

3.  Rehabilitation of Persons with Emotional Disorders - WV

[Sixth IRI (1979)]{.underline}

1.  Adjustment Services in Voc. Rehabilitation - AR

2.  Rehabilitation Engineering: A Counselor\'s Guide - Stout

3.  Techniques for Working in the Community - WV

[Seventh IRI (1980)]{.underline}

1.  Independent Living - Part B - AR

2.  Interpreter Services - Stout

3.  Rehabilitation Counseling - WV

[Eighth IRI (1981)]{.underline}

1.  Uses of Technology in the Delivery of Rehabilitation - WV

2.  Utilization of Peer Helpers as a Rehabilitation Resource - AR

3.  Delivery of Rehabilitation Services to Inner City Nonwhite - Stout

[Ninth IRI (1982)]{.underline}

1.  Rehabilitation of the Learning Disabled Client­ - WV

2.  Marketing: An Approach to Placement - ­Stout

3.  Marketing - A Strategy to Promote the Rehabilitation of Handicapped
    Individuals - AR

[Tenth IRI (1983)]{.underline}

1.  Projects with Industry and Rehabilitation - WV

2.  Private/Public Rehabilitation:

[Eleventh IRI (1984)]{.underline}

1.  Rehabilitation of the Deaf-Blind Individual - AR

2.  Continuum of Services: School to Work - Stout

3.  Looking into Placement Systems - WV

[Twelfth IRI (1985)]{.underline}

1.  Supported Employment - AR

2.  Rehabilitation of Head Injured Clients - Stout

3.  Rehabilitation and the Future - WV

[Thirteenth IRI (1986)]{.underline}

1.  Multidisciplinary Approach - AR

2.  Rehabilitation Technology - Stout

3.  Substantial Services - WV

[Fourteenth IRI (1987)]{.underline}

1.  VR Counselor & Rehabilitation Today - WV

2.  Use of Vocational Evaluation in VR - Stout

3.  Future Work Place: Implications for Rehabilitation - ­AR

[Fifteenth IRI (1988)]{.underline}

1.  Client Involvement in VR - Stout

2.  Rehabilitation of Persons with Severe Psychiatric Disabilities &
    Technology for Individuals with Chronic Mental Illness - AR

3.  Fundamentals of Eligibility for VR Services - AR

[Sixteenth IRI (1989)]{.underline}

1.  VR Services to Persons with HIV Infection - Stout

2.  The provision of TA for Rehabilitation - Stout

3.  Disability Management at the Work-Place: State - Federal VR - AR

[Seventeenth IRI (1990)]{.underline}

1.  Aging in America - Stout

2.  Assistive Technology - AR

3.  VR Services in IL Centers - AR

[Eighteenth IRI (1991)]{.underline}

1.  Substance Abuse as a Secondary Disability - Stout

2.  New & Innovative Employment Services Strategies in VR -- AR

3.  Human Resources Development (HRD) in Rehabilitation - Stout

[Nineteenth IRI (1992)]{.underline}

1.  Consumer Involvement in Rehabilitation Research and Practice - AR

2.  Serving the Underserved - Principles, Practices and Techniques -
    Stout

3.  Multi-Cultural Diversity in Rehabilitation - AR

[Twentieth IRI (1993)]{.underline}

1.  Employment Outcomes for Persons with Acquired Brain Injury - Stout

2.  Counseling & Guidance in the Rehabilitation Partnership - Stout

3.  Placement 2000 - AR

[Twenty-First IRI (1994)]{.underline}

1.  Native American Rehabilitation Programs - Unmet Needs - AR

2.  Operationalizing Consumer Decision-­Making and Choices in the VR
    Process - Stout

3.  Strategies for Enhancing Job Retention and Career Advancement - AR

[Twenty-Second IRI (1995)]{.underline}

1.  Shaping State Rehabilitation Programs through Consumer Partnerships:
    Issues and Strategies -- Stout

[Twenty-Third IRI (1996)]{.underline}

1.  Strategies for Eliminating Barriers to effective Service Delivery -
    AR

2.  Developing Effective Partnerships with Employers as an Effective
    Service Delivery Mechanism - Stout

[Twenty-Fourth (1997)]{.underline}

1.  Field Service Managers and Supervisors: Strategic Leaders in
    Achieving Employment Outcomes - GW

2.  Achieving Successful Employment Outcomes with the Use of
    Technology - Stout

3.  Developing Self-Employment and Small Business Opportunities for
    Persons with Disabilities - AR

[Twenty-Fifth IRI (1998)]{.underline}

1.  Improving Employment Outcomes Through VR Counselors Who Meet the
    Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) Requirements -
    AR

2.  Improving Rehabilitation Services and Employment Outcomes for
    Individuals Who are Deaf and Low Functioning (LFD) - GW

3.  Meeting Future Workforce Needs - Stout

[Twenty-Sixth IRI (1999)]{.underline}

1.  Using the Internet as a Resource to the Work of the VR Counselor-GW

2.  The Family as a Critical Partner in the Achievement of a Successful
    Employment Outcome - AR

3.  Effective Strategies to Improve the Achievement of Employment for
    Individuals Who Are SSI/SSDI Participants - Stout

**The following Twenty-Seventh IRI (2000) topics** **are currently
undergoing final edits and will be disseminated in the near future:**

1.  Succession Planning in a Customer-Focused VR Environment - Stout

2.  Effective Strategies for Improving Employment Outcomes for Persons
    with Kidney Failure - AR

3.  Providing VR Services in a Workforce Environment -- GW

The following Twenty-Eighth IRI topics are currently being developed and
will be presented in draft at the National IRI Forum on May 6-7, 2002:

1.  Distance Education: Opportunities and Issues for the Public
    Vocational Rehabilitation Program - GW

2.  Investing in the Transition of Youth with Disabilities to Productive
    Careers - AR

3.  Welfare to Work for Individuals with Disabilities -- Stout

**[KEY]{.underline}**

####### AR: University of Arkansas 

**GW: The George Washington University**

####### Stout: University of Wisconsin- Stout

**WV: West Virginia University**

**[IRI University Coordinators]{.underline}:**

Donald Dew, Ph.D., Director

Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program III

George Washington University

2011 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 300

Washington, DC 20052

Voice: (202) 973-1550

FAX: (202) 775-0053

E-mail: dondew@gwu.edu

Jeanne Miller, Director

Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program VI

P.O. Box 1358

Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center

Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902

Voice: (501) 623-7700

FAX: (501) 624-6250

E-mail: jmiller@rcep6.org

Daniel McAlees, Ph.D., Director

Research and Training Center

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751-0790

Voice: (715) 232-1380

FAX: (715) 232-2251

E-mail: mcaleesd@uwstout.edu

**Most IRS/IRI publications may be obtained from the National
Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM).**

Contact the director, Ms. Judy Seefeldt, at:

NCRTM

Oklahoma State University

5202 Richmond Hill Drive

Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-4080

Voice: 800-223-5219 or 405-624-7650

FAX: 405-624-0695

E-mail: seefelj@okstate.edu

**Although no longer coordinating IRI study groups, West Virginia
University (WVU) has maintained copies of the documents developed by its
Research and Training Center. Contact Dr. Richard Walls for further
information regarding these documents at:**

West Virginia University

Research and Training Center

P.O. Box 6122

Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6122

Voice: 304-293-5313

FAX: 304-293-6661

E-mail: rwalls@wvu.edu

**REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION**

######## Topic Suggestion Form for the Twenty-Ninth

######## Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) 2002-2003

Note: Deadline for submission is March 29, 2002. Please complete all
items and include additional attachments if necessary.

  ---------------- -- ----------- ----------------------------------------------------
  1\. Title of                    
  suggested topic:                

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

  2\. Briefly                     
  describe the                    
  issues to be                    
  addressed in                    
  publication:                    

  A.                              

  B.                              

  C.                              

  D.                              

  E.                              

                                  

  3\. Intended                    
  audience:                       

                                  

                                  

                                  

                                  

  4\. Describe the                
  potential                       
  effects on                      
  improving                       
  services to                     
  individuals with                
  disabilities:                   

  A.                              

  B.                              

  C.                              

  D.                              

  E.                              

                                  

  5\. Provide the                 
  names and                       
  addresses of                    
  persons with                    
  knowledge of                    
  this topic:                     

  A.                              

                                  

                                  

  B.                              

                                  

                                  

  C.                              

                                  

                                  

  D.                              

                                  

                                  

  E.                              

                                  

                                  

                                  

  6\. Other                       
  resources                       
  (projects,                      
  programs,                       
  publications,                   
  etc.):                          

  A.                              

  B.                              

  C.                              

  D.                              

  E.                              

                                  

  7\. Topic                       
  submitted by:                   

  Name:                           

  Title:                          

  Employer:                       

  Address:                        

                                  

                                  

  Telephone/FAX:                  

  E-mail:                         

                                  
  ---------------- -- ----------- ----------------------------------------------------

Please return no later than March 29, 2002 to:

> Charles Sadler
>
> VR Program Specialist
>
> Rehabilitation Services Administration
>
> 330 C Street S.W., Room 3216
>
> Washington, DC 20202-2735
>
> VOICE: 202-205-9286
>
> FAX: 202-205-9340
>
> E-mail: charles_sadler@ed.gov