On-Site Technology Training Guidelines
Policy:
It is the policy of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) to establish minimum requirements for technology service providers with whom the DBVI contracts to provide technology training to consumers.
If DBVI will be paying for the service, only those tutors who have been approved through the DBVI Technology Tutors' Network Committee (TTNC) and who have been placed on the DRS approved vendor list will be used to teach consumers the use of adaptive technology and application software.
On-site Technology Training:
DBVI may contract with tutors approved by TTNC for community-based technology training on the following types of adaptive equipment:
- Large print computer access systems
- Speech computer access systems
- Braille computer access systems
- Braille communication devices
- Scanners
- DeafBlind technology
Application and Approval:
Individuals seeking to provide on-site technology training may apply by submitting an application packet to the DBVI Chief Rehabilitation Engineer. The packet must contain:
- a list of the adaptive devices or software products on which the applicant is seeking approval (Technology Tutor Network Application – available at www.vrcbvi.org or upon request)
- a description of the application programs the applicant can teach (TTN Application)
- a description of the operating systems the applicant can use (TTN Application)
- three letters of recommendation describing the applicant's ability to teach
Upon acceptance of the application packet, the Chief Rehabilitation Engineer will forward it to the DBVI regional office in the applicant’s local area. A proficiency interview with the regional Rehabilitation Engineer will be given there to determine the applicant's technical and teaching expertise. References will be contacted regarding the applicant's teaching experience and skills. See "Tutor Qualifications." If the Rehabilitation Engineer approves the applicant, the individual’s name and pertinent information will be forwarded to the buyer senior at DRS who will initiate the necessary paperwork to get the applicant placed on the DRS approved vendor list. The Chief Rehabilitation Engineer will send to the field the approved list of vendors.
Retaining Approved Status:
Approved status is limited to the specific devices or systems on which the tutor has qualified. DBVI retains the right to terminate the services of a tutor if student satisfaction surveys indicate the need for DBVI action or if the tutor is unable to meet the expectations outlined in these guidelines. DRS will be notified when DBVI terminates a vendor to trigger the removal of the individual from the approved vendor list.
Confidentiality:
The prospective tutor must provide assurances that student information will be used only for the purposes of fulfilling the responsibilities of on-site training and that student information will not be released to any other individual, agency, or organization.
Training Reports:
Training reports must be in the format required by DBVI and are due to the DBVI representative (the individual purchasing the services) no later than 15 days after training is completed.
Monitoring:
The Chief Rehabilitation Engineer will monitor tutor performance via periodic Student Feedback Surveys. Consistent unsatisfactory student evaluations will result in termination of the tutor's approved status.
Tutor Qualifications:
Tutors must have:
- the ability to train individuals in the use of computers or other communication devices, access programs, and application software
- experience interfacing adaptive technologies with computers and application software
- the ability to work effectively with people who are vision impaired
- the ability to communicate effectively orally, and in writing
- the ability to communicate effectively via sign language, if approved to do so
- a positive Proficiency Interview with a DBVI Rehabilitation Engineer, including questions on those adaptive devices and application programs listed in the tutor's application
On-site Technology Training Components: Training Plans, Tutoring Arrangements, and Reporting
- The prospective student and the DBVI representative will:
- prepare a training plan (skills lists for various devices and software products are available)determine the number of hours needed for the training (training time estimates are available)
- The DBVI representative will check to see if the tutor is on the DRS approved vendor list (maintained by the Chief Rehabilitation Engineer) and then contact the tutor:
- to inform the tutor of the nature of requested training, the proposed training site, and number of hours allowable for training
- to determine the tutor's availability for the assignment
- to provide student contact information
- The tutor will:
- contact the student to discuss training needs and set up a training schedule
- inform the DBVI representative of the student's training schedule and of any issues that came up during the student/tutor contact
- adequately prepare for initial training to ensure that training time is used effectively and productively
- provide one-to-one training at the agreed upon training site
- submit a comprehensive Training Report and bill to DBVI within 15 days of training completion (interim reports may be required, at the discretion of the DBVI representative)
The DBVI representative will write the authorization for the purchase of services.
Increases to Allowable Hours:
It is the responsibility of the tutor to negotiate extensions to allowable training hours with the DBVI representative in advance. Hours not authorized in advance by the DBVI representative are not billable.
Charges and Payments:
Technology tutors may be paid:
- $35.00 an hour for training and report writing time
- $45.00 per hour is allowed in Northern Virginia. (The following cities and counties are covered under the Northern Virginia differential: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William, and Loudoun County.)
- mileage reimbursement, according to State Travel Regulations (STR), between tutor's home or place of business and training site (including public transportation)
- lodging and meal reimbursement, according to STR, if training requires overnight stay
Payments are made, following receipt of the bill and Training Report from the tutor, in accordance with the allowable fees and after approval by the DBVI representative.
For further information contact:
DBVI Chief Rehabilitation Engineer
397 Azalea Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 371-3776 VOICE
(804) 371-3351 FAX
(804) 371-3140 TDD
(800) 622-2155 Toll Free
