AUTHORITY: Implementing and authorized by Sections 3(b), (f) and (k) and 12 of the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act [20 ILCS 2405/3(b), (f), (k) and 12].

SOURCE: Adopted at 10 Ill. Reg. 6853, effective April 7, 1986; amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 6265, effective April 15, 1991; Section repealed at 17 Ill. Reg. 425, effective December 18, 1992; emergency amendment at 17 Ill. Reg. 11745, effective July 1, 1993, for a maximum of 150 days; amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 20419, effective November 15, 1993; recodified from the Department of Rehabilitation Services to the Department of Human Services at 21 Ill. Reg. 9325; recodified Subpart D at 42 Ill. Reg. 6514; amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018; emergency amendment at 45 Ill. Reg. 11894, effective September 16, 2021, for a maximum of 150 days; amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 2954, effective February 4, 2022; amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 935, effective December 29, 2023.

SUBPART A: ELIGIBILITY

 

Section 730.10  Definitions

 

For the purpose of this Part, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

 

Blind – describes a person whose central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses or whose visual acuity, if better than 20/200, is accompanied by a limit to the field of vision in the better eye to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than 20 degrees.

 

Competitive Integrated Employment – work that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis (including self-employment) and for which the customer is compensated with customary wage and level of benefits, but not less than the applicable minimum wage and:

 

is not paid less than customary rate paid by the employer for the same or similar work performed by other employees who are not individuals with disabilities in similar occupations;

 

in the case of an individual who is self-employed, yields an income that is comparable to the income received by other individuals who are not individuals with disabilities and who are self-employed in similar tasks;

 

is eligible for the same level of benefits provided to other employees;

 

is in a location in the community where the individual with a disability interacts with individuals who are not individuals with disabilities; and

 

presents, as appropriate, opportunities for advancement that are similar to those for other employees who are not individuals with disabilities with similar positions.

 

Customer – a person who has applied for, been referred for, is receiving, or has received any DHS-DRS services, including a student at a DHS-DRS school.

 

DeafBlind – describes a person who has a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses, or a field defect such that the peripheral diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees, or a progressive visual loss having a prognosis leading to one or both these conditions and:

 

has a chronic hearing impairment so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification, or a progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to this condition; and

 

for whom the combination of these chronic impairments cause extreme difficulty in attaining independence in daily life activities, achieving psychosocial adjustment, and obtaining a vocation.

 

Department or DHS – the Illinois Department of Human Services.

 

DHS-DRS – the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services.

 

DHS-DRS VR or VR – the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

 

ICRE-Wood – the facility operated by DHS which provides comprehensive services to enhance independent daily living skills, job retention skills, and pre-vocational skills to individuals who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind.

 

Visually Impaired – describes a person whose central visual acuity is:

 

20/60 or less in the better eye with best correction; or 

 

better than 20/60 in the better eye with best correction, but has a limitation in the visual fields of 20 degrees or less.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.15  COVID-19 Vaccination of Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education Wood, ICRE-W Personnel (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 48 Ill. Reg. 935, effective December 29, 2023)

 

Section 730.20  Eligibility Criteria

 

a)         A customer of the VR Program receiving services through ICRE-Wood must meet all the criteria set forth at 89 Ill. Adm. Code 553.

 

b)         A customer must be an individual who is blind, visually impaired or deafblind and is seeking competitive integrated employment.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.30  Individual Plan for Employment (IPE)

 

a)         A customer served under this Part may only receive services as outlined in the individual's IPE pursuant to the provisions of 89 Ill. Adm. Code 572.

 

b)         In the completion of the IPE, the employment goal shall be competitive integrated employment.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

SUBPART B: PROGRAM SERVICES

 

Section 730.200  General Applicability

 

This Part is applicable to all DHS-DRS VR customers who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.210  Adaptive Skills

 

This program provides comprehensive training for ICRE-Wood customers to enable them to obtain competitive integrated employment and become more independent, educated and self-reliant by learning the following skills:

 

a)         Daily living skills, including, but not limited to, food preparation, cooking, labeling food and clothing, clothing care, cleaning and budgeting;

 

b)         Psychosocial competency – develop and enhance mental, emotional and social skills and strategies necessary to engage in competitive integrated employment;

 

c)         Functional activities, including, but not limited to, household maintenance, home mechanics, exercise and woodworking;

 

d)         Self-management skills, including, but not limited to, self-confidence, stress management, time management, organization, self-motivation and healthy living;

 

e)         Communication skills, including, but not limited to, Braille, sign language and assistive technology devices; and

 

f)         Orientation and mobility skills, including, but not limited to, using public transportation and transit systems, using a cane, using senses, following directions and using landmarks, and using techniques for crossing streets.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.220  Communication (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.230  Home Mechanics (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.240  Orientation Mobility (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.250  Wellness Education, Haptic Arts, Leisure Activities and Other Programs (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.260  Pre-Employment Services

 

This program provides comprehensive training that will assist ICRE-Wood customers in obtaining competitive integrated employment.  The following services will be provided as part of the training:

 

a)         Vocational guidance and counseling;

 

b)         Information and referral;

 

c)         Vocational assessments and evaluations; and

 

d)         Psychological counseling, including adjustment to disability.

 

(Source:  Added at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

SUBPART C: SUPPORT SERVICES

 

Section 730.400  Medical Services (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.410  Equipment Loans (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.420  Telephone Services (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.430  Dietary Services

 

Morning, noon and evening meals will be served at designated times daily. Customers are not called for meals, but must assume responsibility for reporting to the dining room on time.  Meals are not served outside the time allowed unless an excused absence (e.g., doctor's appointment and scheduled group outings) or medical necessity has prevented eating at the scheduled time. Snacks are distributed at designated times after the evening meal.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.440  Transportation Services

 

The ICRE-Wood driver is available to customers on an as-needed basis to transport customers to medical appointments and to the train and bus stations.  Request for this service shall be made at least 24 hours in advance to the appropriate ICRE-Wood employee.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.460  Counseling and Personal Adjustment

 

a)         Psychological and vocational counseling are available to the customer. Psychological, supportive and general counseling shall be provided by the ICRE-Wood psychologist to assist the customer who is adapting and coping with his or her visual loss or deafblindness.  In addition, psychological testing and assessment may be provided to evaluate the customer's service needs.

 

b)         Vocational counseling is provided to customers in the VR program to assist customers in formulating vocational goals that lead to integrated competitive employment.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

SUBPART D: CUSTOMER CONDUCT

 

Section 730.600  Rules of Customer Conduct

 

a)         For security reasons, when leaving and returning to ICRE-Wood, customers must comply with the following procedures:

 

1)         Customers shall inform the appropriate ICRE-Wood employee when they plan to stay out overnight and when they are returning.

 

2)         Customers shall always carry a white cane or be accompanied by a guide dog when leaving the building.

 

3)         Customers attending ICRE-Wood for training may leave the building under their own responsibility when it does not conflict with their scheduled activities.

 

4)         The appropriate ICRE-Wood employee must be advised as soon as possible when a customer plans to miss any meals.

 

b)         Weekends

Customers may go home for the weekends.  Customers wishing to stay over the weekend must notify the appropriate ICRE-Wood employee or a member of the management staff by the preceding Wednesday.

 

c)         Commuters

 

1)         Commuters whose class schedules require them to be at ICRE-Wood immediately before and after lunch hour may arrange through the Assistant Superintendent or his or her designee to have lunch provided.

 

2)         Commuters have the same rights as resident customers in using the building (with the exception of the dormitories), but should leave ICRE-Wood by the close of visiting hours, unless there is an evening class or activity in which they are involved.  They should then leave as soon as class or activity is finished.  Lockers for commuters are provided.

 

d)         Visitors

Visitors are allowed only at designated times and in designated locations. Visitors must sign in and out.  Visitors will be required to remain in the lobby until met by the customer to be escorted to a designated area.  A customer is responsible for the conduct of his/her guests.

 

e)         Smoking

Smoking is only allowed 15 feet away from the building.

 

f)         Dormitory

 

1)         Courtesy and consideration for others must always be exercised. Activity in the hall and rooms must be conducted in a manner which does not result in complaints from the other residents.

 

2)         Customers are not permitted to eat their meals in their dormitory unless they are confined in bed due to illness.  The appropriate ICRE-Wood employee will arrange for meals to be brought to such customers.  Snack food may be kept in dormitory rooms but must be stored in appropriate containers.

 

3)         Electrical appliances or other equipment, e.g., hot plates, popcorn poppers, and other appliances that can be a fire hazard or result in damage of property are not to be brought into the dormitory.

 

4)         All customers are expected to make their beds and keep their dressers and closets in order.  Dust cloths and dry mops are provided for cleaning.

 

5)         Dormitory windows must be kept closed because opening them affects the air and heating systems and sets off the burglar alarms.

 

6)         Men and women are not allowed in each other's dormitory.

 

g)         Public Areas

Customers who cause disruptions in public areas (i.e., ICRE-Wood's lobby, multi-purpose room, or customer lounge) will be disciplined per Section 730.650(c)(2).

 

h)         Classrooms

Classrooms are not to be used outside of class hours without the permission of the teacher in charge and will only be done when the use of the classroom is work related.

 

i)          Class Attendance

 

1)         Customers are required to attend all scheduled classes and activities and arrive on time for each period.

 

2)         Excused absences from classes must be cleared in advance with each teacher involved, or in the case of illness, with the appropriate ICRE-Wood employee.

 

3)         If illness or other emergencies arise when the customer is not at ICRE-Wood that will delay his or her return, the illness or emergency must be reported by telephone to the Assistant Superintendent or his or her designee or by letter if a phone call is not possible.

 

4)         If a customer becomes ill while at ICRE-Wood and he/she will be bedridden, he/she will be sent home immediately.  If the illness causes the customer to miss 3 or more consecutive days of programming, he/she must have a statement, signed by a physician prior to his/her return.  The statement must include the cause of the illness and ensure the customer's condition is now stable.

 

5)         If a customer wishes to delete a class from his/her program, it must be discussed with the teacher involved and the appropriate case manager.  The program will be changed, if appropriate, based on the customer's reason for the requested change, the need for the class in relation to the customer becoming independent, and the customer's demonstrated level of functioning in the class.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.650  Discipline

 

a)         If a customer does not adhere to ICRE-Wood's policies, as contained within this Section, and procedures, violations will be reported as in subsections (d) and (e) and disciplinary actions taken.

 

b)         The following infractions shall result in immediate suspension from ICRE-Wood and its programs.  Suspension for a first offense will normally not exceed 15 class days, but may be longer or permanent based on the severity of the infraction and at the discretion of the ICRE-Wood superintendent.  A second infraction shall result in permanent suspension.  Suspensions may be made for the following reasons:

 

1)         bringing liquor, illegal substances, or weapons, including knife blades of over three inches, into any of ICRE-Wood's facilities;

 

2)         physical violence or threats of physical violence towards another customer or any staff member;

 

3)         stealing from ICRE-Wood, staff or another customer. In no instance, if restitution is not made within the period of suspension, will the customer be permitted to return;

 

4)         destroying property of ICRE-Wood, staff or another customer. In no instance, if restitution is not made within the period of suspension, will the customer be permitted to return;

 

5)         three or more absences not cleared in advance per Section 730.600(i)(2) from the same scheduled class or activity.

 

c)         Infractions at any ICRE-Wood facility that are listed in this subsection (c) will, as set forth by subsection (e), result in counseling with the Assistant Superintendent or his or her designee, with a second infraction of the same rule resulting in a suspension for up to 15 class days and a third infraction resulting in permanent discharge:

 

1)         consuming alcohol to the point of excess outside of any of ICRE-Wood's facilities so that the customer creates a disturbance upon returning;

 

2)         discourtesy, including verbal abuse of staff or other customers or other disruptive behavior that will result in a complaint;

 

3)         violating State or  local fire regulations;

 

4)         men visiting the women's dormitory and vice versa;

 

5)         sexual misconduct (e.g., indecent exposure or sexual intercourse).

 

d)         Reports of infractions should be reported to the residential care worker, Assistant Superintendent or other management staff as soon as possible.

 

e)         When a violation listed in subsection (b) or (c) is alleged to have occurred, the Assistant Superintendent or his or her designee will recommend to the Superintendent of ICRE-Wood that disciplinary action be taken.

 

1)         Within two days after receiving a recommendation for disciplinary actions, the Superintendent will convene a hearing on which to base the disciplinary decision.

 

2)         The hearing will include a review of the evidence, including any verbal or written evidence (e.g., documentation of previous infractions), of the violation that led to the recommendation for disciplinary action and testimony by the customer.  Testimony by witnesses is also admissible.  The customer may be assisted by a person of the customer's choice in presenting his/her responses if the customer so desires.

 

3)         Based upon the findings of the hearing and subsections (b) and (c), the Superintendent will, at the time of the hearing, determine what, if any, action will be taken and will notify the customer at that time.

 

4)         Disciplinary actions taken under this Section are appealable and the customer shall be informed of the right to appeal and the related procedures at the time of the Superintendent's decision.

 

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 16243, effective August 7, 2018)

 

Section 730.700  Disciplinary Appeals (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 17 Ill. Reg. 425, effective December 18, 1992)