Sec.10-306-2a. Definitions

(a) The definitions provided by Sections 10-294a and 10-306 of the Connecticut General Statutes shall govern the interpretation and application of these regulations.

(b) In addition hereto and except as otherwise required by context, the following definitions shall apply.

(1) "Act" refers to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 USC Section 701 et seq.).

(2) "Administrative Review" means an informal review process which may be used if it is likely to result in a timely resolution of disagreements in which the applicant or client is dissatisfied with the action or inaction in the provision or denial of vocational rehabilitation services.

(3) "Agency" refers to the State of Connecticut Board of Education and Services for the Blind.

(4) "Applicant" refers to a person who has applied for vocational rehabilitation services from the Board of Education and Services for the Blind in accordance with Section 10-306-3a (b)(1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(5) "Appropriate Modes of Communication" means specialized aids and supports that enable an individual with a disability to comprehend and respond to information that is being communicated. Appropriate modes of communication include, but are not limited to, the use of interpreters, open and closed captioned videos, specialized telecommunications services and audio recordings, braille and large print materials, materials in electronic formats, augmentative communication devices, graphic presentations, and simple language materials.

(6) "Assessment for Determining Eligibility and Priority for Services" refers to the initial examinations to determine whether an individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services or is eligible for extended evaluation services to determine eligibility, and the individual's priority under an order of selection.

(7) "Assistive Technology Device" means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an individual with a visual disability of legal blindness as specified in Section 10-294a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(8) "Assistive Technology Service" means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability of legal blindness in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

(9) "Attendant" refers to a person who attends to an individual for purposes of assisting the individual with personal care.

(10) "Blindness." The definition provided by Section 10-294a of the Connecticut General Statutes shall apply.

(11) "Board of Directors" means a body of individuals, appointed by the governor, which adopts regulations for determining what persons shall receive benefits under the provisions of Chapter 174 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(12) "Case Closure" refers to the formal conclusion of active participation by an individual in vocational rehabilitation services.

(13) "Clear and Convincing Evidence" means that the agency has a high degree of certainty before it can conclude that an individual is incapable of being employed as a result of vocational rehabilitation services.

(14) "Client" refers to a person who is receiving vocational rehabilitation services from the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division or who has been determined to be eligible for such services.

(15) "Client Assistance Program." A client assistance program (CAP) was established by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1984. Persons eligible for client assistance program advocacy assistance are those who are receiving or seeking services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. CAP is free of charge and available to all persons applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation services.

(16) "Community Rehabilitation Program" means:

(A) a program that provides directly or facilitates the provision of one or more of the following vocational rehabilitation services to persons who are legally blind to enable those individuals to maximize their opportunities for employment, including career advancement:

(i) Medical, psychiatric, psychological, social, and vocational services that are provided under one management.

(ii) Testing, fitting, or training in the use of prosthetic and orthotic devices.

(iii) Recreational therapy.

(iv) Physical and occupational therapy.

(v) Speech, language, and hearing therapy.

(vi) Psychiatric, psychological, and social services, including positive behavior management.

(vii) Assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs.

(viii) Rehabilitation technology.

(ix) Job development, placement, and retention services.

(x) Evaluation or control of specific disabilities.

(xi) Orientation and mobility services for individuals who are legally blind.

(xii) Extended employment.

(xiii) Psychosocial rehabilitation services.

(xiv) Supported employment services and extended services.

(xv) Services to family members if necessary to enable the applicant or eligible individual to achieve an employment outcome.

(xvi) Personal assistance services.

(xvii) Services similar to the services described in subclauses (i) through (xvi) of subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(B) For the purposes of this definition, the word "program" means an agency, organization, or institution, or unit of an agency, organization, or institution, that provides directly or facilitates the provision of vocational rehabilitation services as one of its major functions.

(17) "Comparable Services and Benefits" means services and benefits that are:

(A) provided or paid for, in whole or in part, by other federal, state, or local public agencies, by health insurance, or by employee benefits;

(B) available to the individual at the time needed to achieve the intermediate rehabilitation objectives in the individual's individualized written rehabilitation program (IWRP) in accordance with Section 10-306-14a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; and

(C) commensurate to the services that the individual would otherwise receive from the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division.

(18) "Competitive Employment" means work:

(A) in the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis in an integrated setting; and

(B) for which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage, but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by the employer for the same or similar work in the local community performed by individuals who are not legally blind.

(19) "Comprehensive Assessment" means an analysis, when necessary, of information concerning the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and needs, including the need for supported employment services, of an eligible individual, in the most integrated setting possible, consistent with the informed choice of the individual. The comprehensive assessment shall be limited to information that is necessary to identify the vocational rehabilitation needs of the individual and develop the IWRP.

(20) "Consultant" refers to a physician, psychologist, or other individual retained by the agency to provide counselors with medical, psychiatric, psychological, or other information and recommendations relative to the disabilities of applicants.

(21) "Counseling and Guidance" refers to a service involving the provision of professional advice and guidance to an individual using methods such as collection and analysis of medical, personal, social, and vocational data; aptitude and interest testing; and personal interviews.

(22) "Diagnostic and Evaluative Services" refers to any medical, psychological, social, or vocational procedures that are necessary at any stage of the vocational rehabilitation process for a more thorough understanding of the individual's capacities and limitations.

(23) "Disability" refers to blindness, lessened visual acuity, or either blindness or lessened visual acuity together with other mental or physical impairments, as determined by medical examination or records, which materially limits, contributes to limiting or, if not corrected, shall probably result in limiting an individual's employment activities or vocational functioning.

(24) "Eligible" or "Eligibility" when used in relation to an individual's qualification for vocational rehabilitation services refers to a certification that:

(A) The applicant has a physical or mental impairment, including a determination of legal blindness or lessened visual acuity, as determined by qualified personnel licensed or certified in accordance with state law or regulation.

(B) The applicant's physical or mental impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment for the applicant.

(C) The applicant can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

(D) The applicant requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter into, engage in, or retain gainful employment consistent with the applicant's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice.

(25) "Eligible Individual" means an applicant for vocational rehabilitation services who meets the eligibility requirements.

(26) "Employment Outcome" means, with respect to an individual, entering or retaining full-time or, if appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the integrated labor market to the greatest extent practicable; supported employment; or any other type of employment that is consistent with an individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

(27) "Employability" refers to a determination that the provision of vocational rehabilitation services is likely to enable an individual to enter or retain employment, consistent with his strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choice.

(28) "Escort" refers to an individual whose assistance is required to enable a client or applicant to be transported for the purpose of obtaining vocational rehabilitation services. An escort may not serve a purely social function.

(29) "Executive Director" refers to the appointed executive director of the agency.

(30) "Extended Evaluation Services" refers to those vocational rehabilitation services provided to an individual with a severe disability for a period not in excess of eighteen (18) months for the purpose of determining whether such individual can benefit in terms of an employment outcome as a result of the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

(31) "Extended Employment" means work in a non-integrated or sheltered setting for a public or private non-profit agency or organization that provides compensation in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and any needed support services to an individual with a disability to enable the individual to continue to train or otherwise prepare for competitive employment, unless the individual through informed choice chooses to remain in extended employment.

(32) "Extended Services," as used in the definition of "Supported Employment", means ongoing support services and other appropriate services that are needed to support and maintain an individual with a most severe disability in supported employment and that are provided by a state agency, a private non-profit organization, employer, or any other appropriate resource, from funds other than funds received under the act, after an individual with a most severe disability has made the transition from support provided by the agency.

(33) "Extreme Medical Risk" means a probability of substantially increasing functional impairment or death if medical services, including mental health services, are not provided expeditiously.

(34) "Fair Hearing" refers to a formal hearing proceeding in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of clients or applicants are determined.

(35) "Family Member," for purposes of receiving vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with Section 10-306-11a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, means an individual:

(A) who either:

(i) Is a relative or guardian of an applicant or eligible individual; or

(ii) Lives in the same household as an applicant or eligible individual;

(B) who has a substantial interest in the well-being of that individual; and

(C) whose receipt of vocational rehabilitation services is necessary to enable the applicant or eligible individual to achieve an employment outcome.

(36) "Hearing Officer" refers to an impartial person as defined in Section 10-306-2a (b)(38) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies who is identified jointly by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division and the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, or by agreement between the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division Director and the individual or, if appropriate, the individual's representative to conduct fair hearings and recommend decisions.

(37) "His or Him" includes the feminine gender.

(38) "Impartial Hearing Officer":

(A) Impartial hearing officer means an individual who:

(i) is not an employee of a public agency (other than an administrative law judge, hearing examiner, or employee of an institution of higher education);

(ii) is not a member of the agency's State Rehabilitation Advisory Council;

(iii) has not been involved in previous decisions regarding the vocational rehabilitation of the applicant or eligible individual;

(iv) has knowledge of the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services, the state plan, and the federal and state regulations governing the provision of services;

(v) has received training with respect to the performance of official duties; and

(vi) has no personal, professional, or financial interest that would be in conflict with the objectivity of the individual.

(B) An individual shall not be considered to be an employee of a public agency for the purposes of this definition solely because the individual is paid by the agency to serve as a hearing officer.

(39) "Individual Education Plan (IEP)" means a written statement which includes educational goals, instructional objectives, specific educational and transitional services, and provision for an annual progress review for a student with a disability. The IEP is developed by a team which includes a representative of the local educational agency who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of specially designated instruction to meet the needs of students with disabilities, the teacher, the parents or student's representative, and, whenever appropriate, the student.

(40) "Individual Who Is Blind" means a person who is blind within the meaning of the definition provided by Section 10-294a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(41) "Individual Who Is Visually Impaired" means a person who has lessened visual acuity within the meaning of the definition provided by Section 10-294a of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(42) "Individual with a Disability" means an individual

(A) who has a physical or mental impairment;

(B) whose impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and

(C) who can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from the provision of vocational rehabilitation services.

(43) "Individual with a Most Severe Disability" means an individual with a severe disability who meets the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division's criteria for an individual with a most severe disability as determined by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division Director after consideration of recommendations from the Executive Director, the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council and the Board of Directors.

(44) "Individual with a Severe Disability" means an individual with a disability:

(A) who has a severe physical or mental impairment that seriously limits one or more functional capacities (such as mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills) in terms of an employment outcome;

(B) whose vocational rehabilitation can be expected to require multiple vocational rehabilitation services over an extended period of time; and

(C) who has one or more physical or mental disabilities or combination of disabilities determined on the basis of an assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs to cause comparable substantial functional limitation.

(45) "Individual's Representative" means any representative chosen by an applicant or eligible individual, including a parent, guardian, other family member, or advocate, unless a representative has been appointed by a court to represent the individual, in which case the court-appointed representative is the individual's representative.

(46) "Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program (IWRP)", "Individualized plan for employment (IPE)" or "Rehabilitation Plan" refers to a plan developed jointly by the appropriate agency staff and the client or, as appropriate, the client's representative, for each eligible individual and as necessary, for individuals being provided services under an extended evaluation to determine vocational rehabilitation potential, which includes, but is not limited to, a definition of a client's long-term vocational goal, specific and measurable intermediate objectives related to the achievement of that goal, an outline of the responsibilities of the client and the agency, and a description of the vocational rehabilitation services which shall be provided, vendors to be used, estimated costs, projected time frames, and the process to be followed in order to achieve that goal.

(47) "Informed Choice" means choosing among options of vocational goals and objectives, choices of services and service providers, and jobs based upon an understanding of such options.

(48) "Institution of Higher Education" refers to a university, college, junior college, community college, vocational school, technical institute, or hospital school of nursing.

(49) "Integrated Setting",

(A) with respect to the provision of services, means a setting typically found in the community in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with non-disabled individuals other than non-disabled individuals who are providing services to those applicants or eligible individuals;

(B) with respect to an employment outcome, means an employment outcome in which applicants or eligible individuals interact with non-disabled individuals other than non-disabled individuals who are providing services to those applicants or eligible individuals, to the same extent that non-disabled individuals in comparable positions interact with other persons.

(50) "Intercurrent Illness" refers to an acute medical condition which occurs in the midst of the vocational rehabilitation process and which is unrelated to the individual's original impairment. An example would be illness resulting from an accident while the individual is participating in vocational rehabilitation services.

(51) "Lessened Visual Acuity" means acuity greater than 20/200, but less than 20/70, best correction in the better eye.

(52) "Maintenance" means monetary support provided to an eligible individual or an individual receiving extended evaluation services for those expenses, such as food, shelter, and clothing, that are in excess of the normal living expenses of the individual and that are necessitated by the individual's participation in a program of vocational rehabilitation services.

(53) "Occupational License" refers to any license, permit or other written authority required by a state, city, or other governmental unit to be obtained in order to enter an occupation or enter a small business.

(54) "Occupational Objective or Goal" (See Vocational Goal or Vocational Objective).

(55) "Ongoing Support Services," as used in the definition of "Supported Employment" means services that are:

(A) needed to support and maintain an individual with a most severe disability in supported employment;

(B) identified based on a determination by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division of the individual's needs as specified in an individualized written rehabilitation program; and

(C) furnished by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division from the time of job placement until transition to extended services, unless post-employment services are provided following transition, and thereafter by one or more extended services providers throughout the individual's term of employment in a particular job placement or multiple placements if those placements are being provided under a program of transitional employment.

(56) "Order of Selection" means that in the event that vocational rehabilitation services cannot be provided to all eligible individuals who apply for such services, the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division shall establish an order to be followed for selecting eligible individuals to whom vocational rehabilitation services shall be provided. This order shall be determined by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division Director in consultation with the Executive Director, the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council and the Board of Directors. It shall be based on severity of disability. Persons with the most severe disabilities shall receive the highest priority for services.

(57) "Personal Adjustment Training" refers to any training given for one, or a combination, of the following reasons:

(A) to assist an individual to acquire personal habits, attitudes, and skills which shall enable the individual to function effectively in spite of a disability;

(B) to develop or increase work tolerance prior to engaging in pre-vocational or vocational training or in employment;

(C) to develop work habits and to orient the individual to employment; or

(D) to develop skills or techniques for the specific purpose of enabling the individual to compensate for the loss of a member of the body or the loss of a sensory function.

(58) "Personal Assistance Services" means a range of services provided by one or more persons designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform daily living activities on or off the job that the individual would typically perform without assistance if the individual did not have a disability. The services shall be designed to increase the individual's control in life and ability to perform everyday activities on or off the job. The services shall be necessary to the achievement of an employment outcome and may be provided only while the individual is receiving other vocational rehabilitation services. The services may include training in managing, supervising, and directing personal assistance services.

(59) "Physical and Mental Restoration Services" means, with respect to the provision of services covered within the Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program:

(A) corrective surgery or therapeutic treatment that is likely, within a reasonable period of time, to correct or modify substantially a stable or slowly progressive physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to employment;

(B) diagnosis of and treatment for mental or emotional disorders by qualified personnel in accordance with State licensure laws;

(C) dentistry;

(D) nursing services;

(E) necessary hospitalization (either inpatient or outpatient care) in connection with surgery or treatment and clinic services;

(F) drugs and supplies;

(G) prosthetic, orthotic, or other assistive devices, including hearing aids;

(H) eyeglasses and visual services, including visual training, and the examination and services necessary for the prescription and provision of eyeglasses, contact lenses, microscopic lenses, telescopic lenses, and other special visual aids prescribed by personnel that are qualified in accordance with State licensure laws;

(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; and

(P) other medical or medically-related rehabilitation services.

(60) "Physical or Mental Impairment" means an injury, disease, or other condition that materially limits, or if not treated is expected to materially limit, mental or physical functioning.

(61) "Post-employment Services" means one or more of the services identified in Section 10-306-11a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies that are provided subsequent to the achievement of an employment outcome and that are necessary for an individual to maintain, regain, or advance in employment, consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests. These services are available to meet vocational rehabilitation needs that do not require a complex and comprehensive provision of services and should be limited in scope and duration. Post-employment services are not intended to advance clients into new careers if the client has already achieved an employment outcome that is consistent with his individual strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests. Post-employment services are not intended to replace the process of determining eligibility if new circumstances arise which require comprehensive coordination of services in order to obtain or retain employment.

(62) "PreVocational Training" refers to instruction which is necessary to prepare an individual to effectively participate in vocational training.

(63) "Psychiatrist" refers to a physician who is licensed to practice medicine and has applied for and been accepted to take a qualifying examination administered by the American Board of Psychiatry.

(64) "Record of Services" refers to an organized file of the documentation and records relating to the vocational rehabilitation of an individual in accordance with Section 10-306-10a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(65) "Rehabilitated Client" refers to an individual who is determined to have achieved an employment outcome by meeting the requirements in Section 10-306-16a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(66) "Rehabilitation Counselor" refers to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division employee who is responsible for obtaining, analyzing, and evaluating pertinent applicant and client information; determining an individual's eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services; assisting individual clients assigned to him in the development and implementation of Individualized Vocational Rehabilitation Programs (IWRP); providing counseling, guidance, and placement services; and recommending case closure where appropriate.

(67) "Rehabilitation Counselor Determination" means decisions by a rehabilitation counselor concerning furnishing or denial of vocational rehabilitation services.

(68) "Rehabilitation Potential" or "Vocational Rehabilitation Potential" means the probability that the individual may be expected to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of achieving an employment outcome.

(69) "Rehabilitation Technology" means the systematic application of technologies, engineering methodologies, or scientific principles to meet the needs of, and address the barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities in areas that include education, rehabilitation, employment, transportation, independent living, and recreation. The term includes rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services.

(70) "Review Officer" refers to a person designated by the director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division to conduct informal administrative reviews in an effort to achieve timely resolution of disagreements.

(71) "Sheltered Workshop" refers to a community rehabilitation program, or the part of a community rehabilitation program, engaged in a production or service operation and which is operated for the primary purpose of providing gainful employment or professional services to individuals with disabilities as an interim or final step in the vocational rehabilitation process for those individuals during such times as employment opportunities for them in the competitive labor market do not exist, or for those individuals who choose to work in such settings.

(72) "State Agency" or "Designated State Agency" means the sole state agency designated to administer the state plan and refers to the State of Connecticut Board of Education and Services for the Blind.

(73) "State Plan for Vocational Rehabilitation Services" or "State Plan" means a plan that contains a description of the agency's vocational rehabilitation services program and the plans and policies to be followed in carrying out the program.

(74) "State Rehabilitation Advisory Council" means a body of individuals, appointed by the governor, which provides recommendations to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division Director concerning the provision of vocational rehabilitation services in the state.

(75) "State Unit" or "Designated State Unit" means the agency's Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division which is primarily concerned with vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities and is responsible for the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program of the state agency as described in the state plan and required by Section 10-306 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(76) "Substantial Impediment to Employment" means that a physical or mental impairment (in light of attendant medical, psychological, vocational, educational, and other related factors) hinders an individual from preparing for, entering into, engaging in, or retaining employment consistent with the individual's abilities and capabilities.

(77) "Supported Employment" means:

(A) competitive employment in an integrated setting with ongoing support services for individuals with the most severe disabilities:

(i) for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred or for whom competitive employment has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a severe disability; and

(ii) who, because of the nature and severity of their disabilities, need intensive supported employment services from the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division and extended services after transition in order to perform this work; or

(B) transitional employment for individuals with the most severe disabilities due to mental illness.

(78) "Supported Employment Services" means ongoing support services and other appropriate services needed to support and maintain an individual with a most severe disability in supported employment that are provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division:

(A) for a period of time not to exceed 18 months, unless under special circumstances the eligible individual and the rehabilitation counselor or coordinator jointly agree to extend the time in order to achieve the rehabilitation objectives identified in the individualized written rehabilitation program; and

(B) following transition, as post-employment services that are unavailable from an extended-services provider and that are necessary to maintain or regain the job placement or advance in employment.

(79) "Supportive Vocational Rehabilitation Service" refers to a vocational rehabilitation service which may only be provided when necessary to derive the full benefit of other vocational rehabilitation services provided, and which is provided to help insure that the client reaches the vocational goal. Transportation, maintenance, and attendant care services are examples of supportive vocational rehabilitation services.

(80) "Telecommunications" refers to any transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, written images, and sounds of intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, visual, or other electromagnetic systems including any intervening processing and storage.

(81) "Transition Services" means a coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. The coordinated set of activities shall be based upon the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's preferences and interests, and shall include instruction, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. Transition services shall promote or facilitate the accomplishment of long-term rehabilitation goals and intermediate rehabilitation objectives identified in the student's individualized written rehabilitation program (IWRP).

(82) "Transitional Employment," as used in the definition of "Supported employment," means a series of temporary job placements in competitive work in integrated settings with ongoing support services for individuals with the most severe disabilities due to mental illness. In transitional employment, the provision of ongoing support services shall include continuing sequential job placements until job permanency is achieved.

(83) "Transitioning Student" means a student who is an eligible individual and who is receiving transition services as defined in subsection (b)(81) of this section.

(84) "Transportation" means travel and related expenses that are necessary to enable an applicant or eligible individual to participate in any vocational rehabilitation service.

(85) "Visual Services" include visual training and the examination and services necessary for the prescription and provision of eyeglasses, contact lenses, microscopic lenses, telescopic lenses, and other special visual aids, as prescribed by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or by an optometrist, whichever the individual may select.

(86) "Vocational Goal" or "Vocational Objective" refers to the employment objective established by a client and his counselor to enter or retain full-time or, if appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the integrated labor market to the greatest extent practicable; supported employment; or any other type of employment that is consistent with an individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. The terms "employment objective" and "occupational objective" are used synonymously.

(87) "Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division" means the designated state unit of the agency that is primarily concerned with vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, consistent with the requirements of the state plan and Section 10-306 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(88) " Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division Director" means the individual who, under the direction and supervision of the executive director, is responsible for the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program of the agency.

(89) "Vocational Rehabilitation Services," if provided to an individual, means those services described in Section 10-306-11a of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(Adopted effective November 6, 1998; Amended February 26, 2009)