Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Requirements
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Requirements

About RSA Requirements
Independent living services for older individuals who are blind (OIB) are administered through the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Find information about reports and regulations that are required for OIB programs. For an overview of the legislation, recommended practices, and requirements, including reporting for OIB programs, see our course “An Overview of Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind.”
Technical assistance – the OIB-TAC is available for individual questions related to collecting information, calculating costs, and defining terms used by the 7-OB report. Learn about the OIB staff and find contact information on our Staff page.
About the 7-OB
The 7-OB report must be completed annually by each OIB program. Information reported is for the Federal Fiscal Year, FFY, which begins October 1 and ends September 30. Download the PDF or word document to see the instructions and form. Note that the 7-OB needs to be completed online through the RSA MIS electronic portal. It is recommended that all information for the 7-OB be collected prior to beginning entry in the RSA MIS portal. Questions about the 7-OB report can be directed to the OIB-TAC, while questions about RSA MIS should be directed to RSA.
Resources
RSA MIS Instructions
This section provides basic information about the MIS RSA system, used to submit the 7-OB annual report. Questions related to MIS should be directed to RSA.
Read online:
RSA MIS Instructions
Download:
RSA MIS Instructions (Word Doc)
7-OB Data Collection Tool
Some contracting agencies may not have case management systems that easily collect and provide needed information for the 7-OB. This excel file was developed to help with the collection of information needed for the report. See also our course “Understanding Data Collection and the 7-OB Report”.
Download the excel file:
OIB-TAC Course: Understanding Data Collection and the 7-OB Report
This course provides an in depth look at the 7-OB, provides examples for collecting and calculating information, and suggests ways to streamline reporting.
Register for the online course:
Understanding Data Collection and the 7-OB Report
7-OB Report
Read online:
Certification Regarding Lobbying ED 80-00
The lobbying certificate, a signed agreement that your program has not use federal funds for lobbying activities, needs to be signed each year.
Read online:
Certification Regarding Lobbying ED 80-0013 Form
FFY 2022 OIB GAN Attachments
When the OIB grant is awarded each year, the official email from RSA announcing the new grant, includes these attachments alerting the state of changes and requirements.
Read online:
FFY 2022 OIB GAN
Sample SF425-CAP-OIB-PAIR 07292020
Annual financial report completed by the fiscal unit that reports on funds available and how funding was spent.
Read online:
Title VII Chapter 2
Section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act authorizing the older blind program.
Read online:
Title VII Chapter 2
Code of Federal Regulations FAQs
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides guidance for programs funded through RSA. Below is a list of frequently asked questions, and their answers, which can be found in the CFR.
Download:
Code of Federal Regulations FAQs