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Introduction

Teachers have several responsibilities to carry out during the application process. These include:

• Gathering enough information about the applicant to determine eligibility;
• Explaining the services and the IL process to the applicant and answer any questions he might have about it;
• Informing the applicant of his rights and responsibilities and the Client Assistance Program;
• Exploring with the applicant his or her strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and choices;
• Assessing the applicant’s needs;
• Determining eligibility or an appropriate alternative;
• Beginning to plan the IL process with the applicant; and
• Discussing additional resources available from other sources, as appropriate.

Use this opportunity to continue counseling the applicant on positive attitudes toward blindness and to explain that IL services are provided only when they are both needed and desired. Services must be voluntarily participated in by the applicant, and only after they have been jointly and cooperatively planned for by the applicant and the IL teacher.

Some new referrals are not initially interested in services. If you believe they would benefit from independent living services, make a reasonable effort to persuade and motivate them. Skillful counseling on issues such as independence and a positive philosophy of blindness can be very effective.

Application Process

During the initial interview with the referred individual, the IL teacher discussed services and obtained information from the individual regarding his or her strengths, resources, priorities, abilities, interests, etc. Together, the teacher and referred individual decided that the Department’s services will be beneficial. The teacher will work with the individual to complete an IL application for those who will receive long-term IL services. The teacher will also be responsible for gathering information to determine eligibility and service planning.

The application process involves these three phases:

1. Completing the application with the client.

2. Gathering additional information for eligibility determination and service planning.

3. Determining and recording eligibility.

The application process is not considered complete until you have performed all steps and submitted paperwork associated with each phase.