1. Assessment Assessment means services provided and activities performed to determine an individual’s eligibility for VR services, to assign an individual to a priority category of a State VR agency that operates under an order of selection, and/or to determine the nature and scope of VR services to be included in the IPE. Include here trial work experiences and extended evaluation. Assessments to determine eligibility, assignment of a priority category or the nature or scope of services to be included on the IPE include, but are not limited to psychological assessments, audiological evaluations, dental and medical exams and other assessments of personality, interests, interpersonal skills, intelligence and related functional capacities, educational achievements, work experience, vocational aptitudes, personal and social adjustments, and employment opportunities of the individual and the medical, psychiatric, psychological, and other pertinent vocational, educational, cultural, social, recreational, and environmental factors that affect the employment and rehabilitation needs of the individual. (34 CFR 361.5(b)(6) and 34 CFR 361.48) 2. Diagnosis and Treatment of Impairments Diagnosis and treatment of impairments are those services beyond assessment as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(b)(6). This category is not meant to include assessment services such as a psychological or psychiatric evaluation, medical or dental exam. The services in this service category refer to the diagnosed disability and are necessary for the achievement of the individual’s employment goal. (34 CFR 361.48) Diagnosis and treatment of impairments means: a) Corrective surgery or therapeutic treatment that is likely, within a reasonable period of time, to correct or modify substantially a physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to employment; b) Diagnosis and treatment for mental and emotional disorders by qualified personnel who meet State licensure laws; c) Dentistry; d) Nursing services; e) Necessary hospitalization (either inpatient or outpatient care) in connection with surgery or treatment; f) Drugs and supplies; g) Prescription of prosthetics and/or orthotics related to the individual’s diagnosed disability and is necessary for the achievement of the employment outcome; h) Prescription of eyeglasses and visual services, including visual training, related to the individual’s diagnosed disability and necessary for the achievement of the employment outcome; i) Podiatry; j) Physical therapy; k) Occupational therapy; l) Speech or hearing therapy; m) Mental health services; n) Treatment of either acute or chronic medical complications and emergencies that are associated with or arise out of the provision of physical and mental restoration services or that are inherent in the condition under treatment; o) Special services for the treatment of individuals with end-stage renal disease, including transplantation, dialysis, artificial kidneys, and supplies; p) Other medical or medically related rehabilitation services; and q) Medical care for acute conditions arising during rehabilitation and constituting a barrier to the achievement of an employment outcome is also included in this category. 3. Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and Guidance Vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance includes information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice.
