32 Miss. Code. R. 22-2.7 - INFORMED CHOICE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Rehabilitation Act requires that MDRS ensure that applicants and clients, or their representatives, are provided information and support services to assist them in exercising informed choice throughout the VR process. Counseling and guidance services provided by MDRS staff include information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice, reinforcing the facilitative and supportive role of the VR counselor in assisting individuals with disabilities to exercise informed choice.

Minimum information that must be provided by MDRS staff to applicants and client during the development of the IPE include: the cost, accessibility, and duration of services; the types of services; the degree to which service settings are integrated; the qualifications of service providers; and, to the extent possible, information about consumer satisfaction with these services.

The opportunity for the individual to exercise informed choice requires special emphasis during the development of the IPE. Individuals are provided a choice of options for developing the IPE, including: (a) the individual developing all or part of the IPE; or (b) the individual using technical assistance in developing all or part of the IPE, including the assistance of the MDRS VR counselor. Areas of informed choice include selection of an employment outcome, VR services, service providers, and methods for procuring services.

The employment outcome must be chosen by the individual and must be consistent with the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the individual. The respective responsibilities of the individual and MDRS in working towards achievement of the employment outcome must be described in an IPE.

The cost, duration, or extent of vocational rehabilitation services that a client may need to achieve a particular employment goal will not be considered in identifying the goal.