Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services help individuals with physical, psychological, emotional, or cognitive disabilities or impairments prepare for, find, and maintain employment. VR programs also help employers recruit and retain employees with disabilities.
If a disability prevents someone from having access to steady employment, vocational rehabilitation, or VR, can help break down the barriers they face. Vocational rehabilitation is grounded in the belief that all people have worth and dignity, and its services aim to help disabled or impaired individuals get access to or return to employment and a position in their community.
Types of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
The vocational rehabilitation process calls on a number of disciplines and expertise. Depending on each individual, it may involve a variety of interventions, including behavioral, function, and occupational services.
VR services can include the following.
Services for Disabled or Impaired Adults
The primary goal of VR is helping individuals with disabilities or impairments get and keep a job. How this happens can look different for each person depending on employment interests and needs. It may include services like:
- Finding out if the person is eligible for certain services
- Determining job needs and options, including skills, interests, and the level of support needed
- Helping with resume development
- Creating an individualized plan for employment outlining goals and services needed
- Assistance after employment to help the individual keep the job
Services for Businesses and Employers
VR can help businesses and employers properly seek, hire, retain and accommodate employees with disabilities, as well as perform disability awareness training. It can also assist with job matching and coordinating job fairs. This includes helping improve:
- Workplace technology
- The application and interview process
- Job descriptions and duties
- Candidate screening and matching
- Follow up with the new employee
Services for Adolescents and Students
VR services can also help youth or students with disabilities or impairments prepare for education or employment after high school.
Core services may include:
- Counseling on job training and exploration or post-secondary education opportunities
- Training on employer and workplace expectations
- Internships or other work-based learning opportunities
- Social skills training
What Makes Someone Eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services?
To qualify for VR services, the individual must have a disability that is permanent and that affects their ability to perform work in at least two ways. That being said, each person is considered individually based on their situation.
To find out for sure if you are eligible, it’s best to contact your local Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency rather than guess. A counselor from the office will meet with you personally to determine whether you qualify. They will ask about your disability and how it affects your ability to work. If it turns out you are eligible, the counselor will talk with you about your employment goals and a plan will be created based on those goals.
Generally, you are assumed eligible for VR services if you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The only exception would be if there is strong evidence that you wouldn’t benefit from the services.
If you’ve been injured or disabled in an accident or are trying to get Social Security Disability benefits, our team at John Foy & Associates can help. For a FREE consultation with one of our attorneys, call us today at 404-400-4000, or complete the form on this page to get started.