Frequently Asked Questions: DVR's Order of Selection (OOS) / Waitlist

An Order of Selection, also referred to as a waitlist, is implemented when there are not enough resources to serve all eligible individuals who request services. The waitlist is used to prioritize and provide services to individuals with the most significant disabilities as resources become available.

DVR is required to move individuals with the most significant disabilities off the waitlist first. DVR will move individuals off the waitlist based on their category and the date they applied for services.

DVR will first serve all individuals in Category 1 of the waitlist. Then DVR will serve all individuals in Category 2. Finally, DVR will serve individuals in Category 3 until eventually all individuals on the waitlist are served and no new applicants are placed on a waitlist.

DVR staff will contact individuals as they come off the waitlist and may begin receiving services.

DVR classifies individuals applying for support into three different categories.

• Category 1: People with the most significant disability limitations.
• Category 2: People with significant disability limitations.
• Category 3: All other eligible people.

An individual's category is based on how their disability affects their ability to achieve and maintain employment. DVR looks at seven areas to determine an individual's waitlist category:

1. Mobility
2. Communication
3. Self-care
4. Self-direction
5. Interpersonal skills
6. Work tolerance
7. Work skills

New applicants that are found eligible for services will be placed on the waitlist. DVR staff are working quickly to move through the waitlist to serve all eligible individuals, beginning with those in Category 1. See FAQs No. 2 and 3.

It is unknown how long each consumer will have to wait for services, as it depends on their category and application date. DVR's goal is to activate all consumers and end the waitlist by June 30, 2027. DVR staff will reach out to consumers as soon as they are activated from the waitlist.

An individual who is at immediate risk of losing their current job may be able to receive specific services to help them maintain that job. An individual in this situation should contact their local DVR office.

Yes, there are resources available to help individuals achieve employment goals. The Job Center of Wisconsin is a free, online portal that connects job seekers with employment opportunities. To gain full access to job search resources, individuals can contact their local Job Center. Job Center staff can connect individuals to local training programs, apprenticeship opportunities, and services to help them achieve their career goals. Individuals can contact the Job Center of Wisconsin at 888-258-9966 or email.

Pre-employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) services are provided to students with disabilities who are 21 years of age or younger who are in high school or post-secondary education training programs. Pre-ETS can be provided to a potentially eligible student, an applicant for DVR services, and an eligible student with an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

When a DVR waitlist is in place, federal law allows a student on the waitlist to continue to receive Pre-ETS if they receive a documented Pre-ETS from DVR prior to their eligibility determination. This includes an individual who has received Pre-ETS as a potentially eligible student or as an applicant.

Authorized Pre-ETS for an eligible student include:

• Job exploration counseling
• Work-based learning experiences
• Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary education college programs
• Self-advocacy instruction, including peer mentoring
• Workplace readiness training

While on the waitlist, the Pre-ETS for job coaching (systematic instruction), transportation, and personal assistance cannot be provided. These services require the student to have an approved IPE in place. If a student has an approved IPE, their services will not be impacted by the waitlist.

DVR will continue to collaborate with them to best meet the needs of consumers.

DVR employees will work diligently to move people off the waitlist. DVR will add additional resources to serve consumers and ensure manageable workloads for DVR employees.

There is no time limit for how long a case can remain open and a consumer with an IPE can receive services. The length of a case is based on the consumer’s needs, services, and progress towards their employment goal. All cases are handled in accordance with DVR policies.

The only exceptions allowed by federal regulations are as follows:

1. Individuals who are at immediate risk of losing their current job may be able to receive specific services to help them maintain that job. An individual in this situation should reach out to their local DVR office. (See FAQ No. 6.)
2. A student may continue to receive Pre-ETS while on a waitlist if they received a documented Pre-ETS from DVR prior to their eligibility determination. This includes an individual who has received Pre-ETS as a potentially eligible student or as an applicant.

DWD's Worker’s Compensation Division administers Wisconsin's worker's compensation program. If you are a worker who was injured on the job placed on the DVR waitlist, you may still receive rehabilitation services from a private provider. To learn more, call 608-261-8472 and select option 4 to speak with a specialist about work injury vocational rehabilitation. DVR’s website also offers information for DVR consumers with worker's compensation claims.

Limited services are allowable for a student eligible for Pre-ETS while on the waitlist. Allowable Pre-ETS include Project SEARCH skill instruction and Project SEARCH job planning. Transportation, maintenance, computers/other assistive technology, and job development are not allowable to Pre-ETS students while on the waitlist. Adults/non-students cannot receive any DVR services, including any Project SEARCH services, while on the waitlist.

No, student work-based learning services through DVR cannot be used to provide the job development that is a part of the Project SEARCH program.

The purpose of DVR’s student work-based learning services is for a student to explore work and identify a job goal. Project SEARCH provides career exploration and skill development through three,10-week rotations at the host business. The goal of Project SEARCH is permanent employment for program participants. When an intern begins job development during Project SEARCH, the Project SEARCH fee schedule directs the use of supported employment job development or general job development services. If an intern is a student on the waitlist eligible for Pre-ETS, Project SEARCH job development services would need to be provided by another agency, on their own, or once the intern comes off the waitlist.

Yes, a family or individual may privately pay for skill instruction, job development and/or transportation. They would work with the appropriate provider to establish the rate.