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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

[POLICY DIRECTIVE]{.underline}

RSA-PD-93-02

RSM-1250

DATE: November 10, 1992

ADDRESSEES: STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (GENERAL)

STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (BLIND)

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

REGIONAL REHABILITATION CONTINUING EDUCATION

PROGRAMS (RRCEPS)

RSA SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

SUBJECT: Changes to the Case Service Report System (RSA-911): Disability
Codes Established for Deaf-Blindness and Traumatic Brain Injuries and
New Codes for Computer-Related Occupations

POLICY

STATEMENT : This Policy Directive introduces a series of new statistical
codes to be used by State VR agencies in reporting RSA-911 data on the
major and secondary disabling conditions of individuals who are
deaf-blind and those with traumatic brain injuries. Currently, both
groups of individuals are identified through special codes established
apart from the RSA disability coding structure. Once the new disability
codes are in place, the special codes for deaf-blindness and traumatic
brain injuries will no longer be used. The revised disability code
listing in its entirety accompanies this Directive.

The new codes have been developed for two reasons. First, it is
important to acknowledge that both deaf-blindness and traumatic brain
injuries are distinct disability groups requiring their own
treatment/service modalities. The absence of statistical codes for these
disabilities is a detriment to focusing attention on the full range of
needs for these persons. Second, the new codes should improve the
identification and reporting of clients with these disabilities.

There are five new three-digit codes for deaf-blindness (290, 292, 294,
296 and 298). The different codes indicate whether the visual and
hearing losses have been present from birth or occurred later in life. A
person is to be considered deaf-blind if he or she has
[both]{.underline} a serious visual and hearing loss and meets the
definition in use at the Helen Keller National Center for Youths and
Adults who are Deaf-Blind for determining eligibility to its evaluation
and rehabilitation programs. The definition, appearing in the recent
reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, follows the new code listing
contained in this Directive.

For traumatic brain injuries, 23 codes starting with 700 and ending with
744 have been instituted. The large number of codes for this disability
recognizes the fact that it is associated with a wide range of physical
and mental impairments and effects. The former coding of traumatic brain
injuries only sometimes linked the condition to its handicapping
effects. The 700-series of codes will clearly establish this linkage,
yet will maintain the comparability and identification of counts of
clients with disabilities that frequently result from traumatic brain
injuries. Note that Code 744 is to be used when there are multiple
effects or where the effects have not elsewhere been classified.

State agencies are asked to incorporate all new disability codes into
the RSA-911 system as soon as they can, but in no instance later than
one year after the effective date of this Policy Directive.

When State agencies next submit their RSA-911 tapes and diskettes, RSA
prefers that they be in the one-card format established by PD-91-10 of
April 2, 1991. Data reported in the two-card format have presented
numerous data processing problems for us through the years. Please
notify your RSA Regional Office if the RSA-911 submittal for Fiscal Year
1992 will present any problems in terms of timeliness, completeness and
data quality.

The RSA-911 data element on Occupation at Rehabilitation Closure has
been affected by a change in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The DOT has established a series of codes to identify individuals in
computer-related occupations. State agencies should begin to use these
new codes as soon as possible. The first two digits (of the six digits
used for RSA-911 reporting) are 03 for computer-related occupations.

Finally, a recent change in regulations on Supported Employment (34 CFR
Parts 361, 363, 376 and 380, dated June 24, 1992 and effective on August
8, 1992) affects the RSA-911 data element on Supported Employment
Outcome. In determining whether the client has met all of the criteria
under Supported Employment, the hours worked should no longer be
considered. The remaining criteria are (a) placement into competitive
employment, (b) placement into an integrated work setting and (c)
receipt of ongoing support services at rehabilitation closure. Agencies
need not assign the new criteria to previously closed out cases.

CITATIONS

IN LAW Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 13, Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980

CITATION IN

REGULATIONS: 34 CFR 361

EFFECTIVE

DATE: Date of this directive

EXPIRATION

DATE: None

INQUIRIES

TO: RSA Regional Commissioners

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration