The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act) calls for periodic comprehensive statewide needs assessments (CSNA) to be conducted jointly by each state’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency and State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) to inform the State Plan.

In addition to the overall need for rehabilitation services in the state, the CSNA focuses on several VR subpopulations and services:

  • Individuals with most significant disabilities, including those in need of supported employment
  • Unserved and underserved individuals, including minorities
  • Individuals served by other parts of the statewide workforce investment employment system
  • Establishment, development or improvement of community rehabilitation programs (CRPs).

The WIOA amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 added two new requirements:

  1. the CSNA must identify, report, and address the VR service needs of youth with disabilities and students with disabilities with respect to their need for pre-employment transition services or other transition services
  2. An assessment of the needs for transition services and pre-employment transition services and the extent to which such services are coordinated with transition services provided under the IDEA.