An examination of vocational rehabilitation requirements for self-employment technical assistance and consultative services

BACKGROUND: The Rehabilitation Act references self-employment in its definition of competitive integrated employment (CIE) and description of vocational outcomes. The Act also references self-employment within its scope of services and stipulates that rehabilitation services include “technical assistance and other consultation services to conduct market analyses, develop business plans, and otherwise provide resources, to the extent those resources are authorized to be provided through the statewide workforce development system, to eligible individuals who are pursuing self-employment or telecommuting or establishing a small business operation as an employment outcome” 34 CFR 361.48(b)(19). OBJECTIVE: This policy review identifies and highlights specific SVRA policy regarding TA and consultation for self-employment. METHODS: Policies from all 50 states and the District of Columbia’s combined or general SVRAs and policies from 18 blind SVRAs were reviewed and coded into categories (no reference, generic, internal, and external references) to determine the types of TA and consultation for self-employment that are outlined in state policy. RESULTS: The majority of general or combined SVRAs (n = 38) have policies for self-employment technical assistance and consultation that are generic and the majority of blind SVRAs (n = 16) have generic policies for self-employment technical assistance and consultation. These rehabilitation agencies’ policies only reference generic services and do not identify dedicated resources designed to meet the intent and scope of rehabilitation services. CONCLUSION: SVRAs must make a concerted effort to ensure that self-employment policy is adequately aligned to account for necessary supports, activities, and interventions that lead to positive self-employment outcomes.