Open Your Case with DDS RSA

Activities

A) Apply to RSA for Services

• Pick up an application at your school or by contacting RSA directly. An RSA Transition Specialist will provide outreach information and applications to your school.
• Work with your school and parents to complete your application.
• Sign a consent form to give your school permission to share the required records and documents with RSA to determine your eligibility.
• Submit your signed application and consent form to RSA.* Your school will help you submit these forms.

*If you are under age 18, your parent/guardian will need to sign the application and consent forms.

B) Schedule Your Intake Interview

• Within 5 days of receipt of your application, RSA will assign you a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Specialist and he/she will work with your school to schedule your intake interview.
• The VR Specialist will conduct your intake interview at your school.
• If you are unavailable for an intake interview at your school, we will schedule a time for you to meet with a VR Specialist at our office. Please remember:
  • RSA will try to call you 3 times.
  • If we can not reach you, we will check back with your school about how to contact you.
  • It is your responsibility to respond so that we can schedule a time to meet.

C) Prepare Documents for Your Intake Interview

Ask your school to assist you in getting these documents. RSA staff can also help you to apply for any missing documents during your intake interview.

• Medical/Disability Report
• Social Security Card
• Government issued photo ID or a photo ID with proof of address (Driver’s License, DC Resident Card, etc.)
• SSI & SSDI Verification

D) Participate in Your Intake Interview

• Check with your school to confirm when and where you will meet the VR Specialist.
• During your intake interview, you can expect the VR Specialist to:
  • Review your assessments and discuss your strengths, interests, and abilities, and the support services that you may need.
  • Explain various RSA processes and policies including the Substance Free Policy, Financial Participation, Confidentiality, Informed Choice, Ticket to Work/Benefits Counseling, and Client’s Rights and Responsibilities.
• During your intake interview, you will be expected to:
  • Sign Client’s Rights and Responsibilities form.
  • Provide the requested documents and information.
  • Actively participate.
• You will develop a Next Steps Sheet with your VR Specialist so that you both know what to do moving forward.

Order of Selection

If DCRSA determines that sufficient resources are not available to provide VR services to all eligible persons, the agency will institute an Order of Selection that prioritizes eligible persons based on the significance of disability, at the time of delivery of services. Significance of disability is based on the functional capacities, not on a specific diagnosis or disability. After you have been determined eligible for DCRSA services, your VR Specialist will notify you of your disability priority category.

Priority Categories for Order of Selection

• Category I: Most Significant Disability
  
• Category II: Significant Disability
  
• Category III: Non-Significant Disability
  

VR Specialists will determine whether the documented disability substantially limits a functional capacity by reviewing and assessing available information provided by you or your family, any assessment ordered by DCRSA if existing documentation is not available, and the professional observation of the VR Specialists.

The VR Specialist assesses functional capacities in the following areas:

1. Mobility: A substantial limitation in mobility exists if: (i) the person requires assistance from others to get around in the community because of the disability; or (ii) if the individual requires modifications, adaptive technology, or accommodations (not typically made for other workers) to move around the community; or (iii) if the person needs specialized training to learn to move around in the community.
2. Communication: A substantial limitation in communication exists if (i) the disability results in severely impaired expressive or receptive communication, either oral or written; or (ii) if to communicate effectively, the individual requires modifications or adaptive technology; or (iii) accommodations not typically made for other workers. The individual may not be initially understood by others or may not understand others.
3. Self-Care: Limitations may affect all or specific tasks and may occur because of physical, cognitive, or emotional impairments. A substantial limitation in self-care exists if the disability results in the individual's dependence on other individuals, services, or devices to manage oneself or one's living environment.
4. Self-Direction: A substantial limitation in self-direction exists if: (i) due to the disability, the individual is confused or disoriented, or requires assistance or intervention on an ongoing basis; or (ii) intermittently, s/he is unable to perform tasks, monitor his or her own behavior, and make decisions.
5. Interpersonal Skills: A substantial limitation in interpersonal skills means that because of the disability, the individual has limited or no ability to interact with others in an appropriate manner or is unable to relate to peers or coworkers without exhibiting inappropriate behaviors.
6. Work Tolerance: A substantial limitation in work tolerance exists when an individual requires modification, adaptive technology, or accommodations (not typically made for other workers) in terms of capacity or endurance.
7. Work Skills: A substantial limitation in work skills exists when the disability results in an inability to obtain or maintain employment normally available to persons of equivalent age, education, training, or experience.