Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 32 - Rehabilitation And Disabilities › Part 22 - Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, Resource Guide › Section 32-22-3.14 - POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVICES › Section 32-22-3.14.5 - Support Services

Current through June 25, 2024
Support Services may be defined as any service or device that assists the individual in overcoming deficiencies caused by his/her disability. In the post-secondary education setting, these services should facilitate the student's ability to learn and affect his/her understanding of the course work he/she is taking.
Although the school has primary responsibility for ensuring the student is allowed full participation in the class, the counselor should work closely with Student Support Services at the school to be certain the client receives the assistance he/she needs to be successful. Typically the school would be responsible for anything which would make the class accessible (i.e., textbooks, handouts, alternate testing methods, etc.). However, exceptions may be made for services such as interpreters. Specific support services to be provided should be included on the client's Individualized Plan for Employment. Long range planning is critical in ensuring sufficient time is allowed so that materials (text books in Braille, on computer, on tape, etc.) or other special services the client needs are ready and available at the beginning of each semester.
Documentation for payment of support services should be submitted monthly on a Support Service Log (PSED-02) form along with a copy of the Authorization/Statement of Account. It should show the numbers of hours per day services were provided, the specific course for which assistance was being provided, and be signed by both the student and provider of the services. In cases where service provision is arranged by the school, an official representative of the school should also sign the form. The hourly rate paid to the provider of the services is outlined in the Agency Fee Schedule. The PSED-02 (which includes the client's signature) is to be attached to the Statement of Account when sent to Finance for payment.
Individual exceptions for disability accommodations and special circumstances may be considered on a semester by semester basis. Any exceptions made to the guidelines provided in this subsection require a written justification for case documentation by the counselor and must be reviewed by the District Manager.
Examples of PSED Support Services:
Assistive Technology Service - Assistive Technology is defined as the application of technology to alleviate barriers that interfere with the lives of persons with disabilities and open doors to employment. Assistive technology assessment should be considered for any student with obstacles identified that will require a specific support service(s) in order to successfully complete his/her course of study. This will enable the client and counselor to consider the most effective and cost-efficient method to assist the student. In some cases, it may be more effective and less costly in the long run to purchase a piece of adaptive equipment to assist the client than to pay for individual services (i.e., readers).
When purchasing adaptive equipment, the general policy of the Agency is to assist with those necessary devices that are personal in nature and would be kept by the student. Items that make the classroom accessible are considered the school's responsibility.
Tutorial Services - Agency sponsored tutorial services are considered to be the provision of any tutorial hours above those provided at no cost by the institution to all students. The need for these additional hours should be well justified. Agency sponsored tutorial services will consist of an individual working one-on-one with the client to explain specific portions of the course work which the client is having difficulty understanding. It should
not
constitute re-teaching the entire class. Tutoring is to be provided by a person who is taking or has completed the course, demonstrates a knowledge of the material, is able to communicate this knowledge effectively, and is approved (either verbally or in writing) by an official representative of the institution. A total up to 20 hours of tutorial services per month may be authorized as needed to be determined by the individual client's disability and the nature and content of the courses being taken.
Reader Services - Reader services mean a literate, intelligible (plain-speaking) individual reading to the visually impaired printed material which is not available in an accessible format (Braille, large print, tape recording, computer disk, etc.). A total up to 40 hours of reader service per month may be authorized as needed. Individual needs and differences, including the nature and content of the course work, should be considered in planning reader services. The school will locate, hire, and pay the reader. VR will reimburse at the rate established in the VR Fee Schedule for classroom activities or other hours directly associated with academic studies.
Note Taker Services - Class notes may be obtained through various methods: provision of copies by the professor, use of augmentative devices (i.e., tape recorders), or accessing copies (carbon or photo) from a classmate. If these methods are not available, the Agency could assist in paying for note taker services up to the actual number of hours in the classroom.
Interpreter Services (Sign or Native Language) - Interpreter services are limited to the actual number of hours in the classroom or in planned tutorial sessions and are to be provided by a qualified Interpreter. A qualified Interpreter is an individual who is proficient enough in the client's primary language and knowledgeable enough in the course terminology to communicate the presented information effectively (in an understandable manner) to the client. Proficiency may be demonstrated by the Q.A. or certification level of the Interpreter and the student's acknowledgment that he/she understands the Interpreter. The school will locate, hire, and pay the interpreter. VR will reimburse at the rate established in the VR Fee Schedule for classroom activities or other hours directly associated with academic studies.
Other Technical Assistance Services - These services consist of any other special assistance needed to help the client successfully complete the course of study (e.g., locating library research materials for individuals who are blind and/or transcribing technical data into Braille, large print, computer format, etc.). A total up to ten hours of other technical assistance services per month may be authorized as needed.
Contract with Mississippi State University Student Support Services:
The Agency contracts with MSU to recruit, select, train, and compensate personal care attendants, readers, tutors, etc. for those clients in need of such support services. Services are provided, as needed by the client, approved by the Agency counselor, and in accordance with the contract between the Agency and MSU. The PSED-02 form is not needed for services covered under this contract.