PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Vocational rehabilitation services for blind person, chapter 67-25 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 74.18 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Necessary to comply with changes in federal law describing the scope and manner of vocational rehabilitation service delivery.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the Department of Education administers federal funding and provides monitoring and oversite. They requested that the Department of Services for the Blind revise its regulations to reflect changes in federal law and have reviewed the recommended changes.
Process for Developing New Rule: Rule revisions drafted by the Department of Services for the Blind, reviewed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (body appointed by the governor to advise the Department of Services for the Blind).
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication.
Discussion at the following public meetings:
December 11, 2004, State Rehabilitation Council Meeting, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., La Quinta Inn and Conference Center, Private Dining Room, 1425 East 27th Street, Tacoma, WA 98406.
March 4, 2004 [2005], Department of Services for the Blind Community Meetings, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Department of Services for the Blind, 3411 South Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98118.
March 5, 2004 [2005], State Rehabilitation Council Meeting/Public Hearing, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Department of Services for the Blind, 3411 South Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98118.
Interested parties may contact Lou Oma Durand, Deputy Director, c/o Marla Oughton, Confidential Secretary, 3411 South Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98118, toll-free 1-800-552-7103.
November 30, 2004
Bill Palmer
Executive Director