Order of Selection Information

RSA provides formula grants to VR agencies to administer the State VR Services and State Supported Employment Services programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four Territories. Specifically, 34 of these States and Territories have one VR agency that serves individuals with all types of disabilities; these are referred to as Combined VR agencies. In addition, 22 States have established two VR agencies: one VR agency that serves individuals who are blind or have visual impairments, referred to as Blind VR agencies, and a separate VR agency that serves individuals with all other types of disabilities, referred to as General VR agencies. This results in a total of 78 VR agencies: 34 Combined VR agencies, 22 General VR agencies, and 22 Blind VR agencies. 

Section 101(a)(5) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA, establishes provisions related to the Order of Selection (OOS) for VR services. The U.S. Department of Education implements these provisions in VR program regulations at 34 CFR § 361.36. VR agencies outline their ability to serve all eligible individuals with disabilities in the VR Services Portion (part "m") of the WIOA Unified and Combined State Plans. Priority must be given to serving individuals with the most significant disabilities if a VR agency is unable to serve all eligible individuals with disabilities. 

The below information related to the status of each VR agency's OOS and number of open priority categories, as relevant, is current as of October 17, 2023. Please contact the VR agency directly for the most up-to-date information. 

46 VR agencies are not operating under an OOS and 32 VR agencies are operating under an OOS. Of these 32 VR agencies: 

• 21 VR agencies have all priority categories open.
• 11 VR agencies have some, but not all priority categories open.
• No VR agencies have all priority categories closed.