Vocational Rehabilitation

People with disabilities are served by Vocational and Rehabilitation Services in every state in the U.S.  These programs are governed by various state and federal laws that ensure access to all qualified individuals.  The federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), for example, protects individuals with disabilities such as those who have: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more “major life activities”, or has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as havingsuch an impairment (U.S. Department of Justice, 2009).

The ADA addresses employment-related rights and needs of individuals with disabilities.  Some examples of how this federal law affects disabled individuals in the workplace are:

• employers may not discriminate in hiring or promotion if the disabled individual is otherwise able to perform job responsibilities
• employers are not allowed to ask about disabilities or to test potential employees for disability 
• employers must provide reasonable accommodation to disabled persons if these do not create an “undue hardship” on the course of business (U.S. Department of Justice, 2009)

In order to comply with ADA standards (and those of other related federal acts) states provide vocational and rehabilitation services to disabled individuals.  These programs prepare people with disabilities for the workforce.  Additionally, support services help maintain such individuals in employment.  There are many programs available.  Each state has a Vocational and Rehabilitation agency (commonly known as Voc Rehab) that is supported by government funding.  Further, there are many privately supported rehabilitation agencies (Zunker, 2002).  Some examples of these are:

• Goodwill Service                                                                                                                                              
• Salvation Army                                                                                                                                                                  
• Jewish Vocational Services                                                                                                                                                   
• St. Vincent DePaul Society

Vocational and Rehabilitation services are designed to meet the needs of a large variety of people with various disabilities.  Some of the services provided are:

• interest and aptitude evaluation                                                                                                                            
• vocational counseling                                                                                                                                                  
• supportive counseling                                                                                                                                                           
• pre-vocational skills training (social skills, interviewing, grooming, application and resume 
• completion, for examples)                                                                                                                                                              
• vocational training                                                                                                                                                             
• financial support assistance for vocational training and other related expenses such as transportation and clothing
• on-the-job support                                                                                                                                                                     
• assistance in obtaining licenses, tools and other required equipment for employment

Individuals are eligible for state Vocational and Rehabilitation services if they:

• have a disability that presents a substantial obstacle to employment, and,
• if services could be reasonably expected to provide benefit

Participation in Vocational Rehabilitation

Individuals who participate in these programs can expect individualized services designed to meet their specific needs.  Assessments are typically done using a variety of evaluation tools.  Many programs will administer aptitude tests, use interests inventories and other assessments (of skills and personality style, for example) to help their clients choose appropriate training and work.    Each participant can expect to have a counselor who will help formulate goals and provide support and guidance through the program.  Services in state programs are free of cost as are most provided by privately funded organizations.  Referral to programs can be made by counselors, teachers, therapists or any other professional already involved with the interested person.  Many participants in these programs are self-referred. 

The Impact of Vocational Rehabilitation

These services assist individuals with disabilities to become more independent.  Some achieve economic independence with the help of these, but there are many other gains made that enhance the overall quality of life and functioning.   Individuals served by these programs, as well as their families, benefit from such assistance.  Young people with disabilities are able to transition to greater independence, learn work, career and social skills, develop interests, participate more fully in the community and achieve meaningful adult lives.  Additionally, self-concept and self-esteem are notably increased through participation in vocational and rehabilitation programs.  Individuals, particularly those disabled since childhood, have greater opportunities to interact with others in ‘mainstream’ workplaces.  While many will require ongoing support services in order to manage the demands of employment, others successfully find full-time occupations and careers in which their disabilities are not limitations.  The opportunity to establish relationships in the workplace often widens social opportunities for people who have been isolated by their disabilities or who have chiefly interacted with disabled peers.    Vocational and Rehabilitation services are designed to meet the individualized and specific needs of those they serve.  Consequently, participants can expect to learn about themselves, their interests, abilities, talents and potential. 

DisabilityInfo.gov. (2009). Employment: The Road to Economic Independence. Retrieved May 17, 2009, from DisabilityInfo.gov: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=9

U.S. Department of Justice. (2009, March 20). AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, AS AMENDED. Retrieved May 17, 2009, from ADA.gov: http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm

Zunker, V. (2002). Career Counseling: Applied Concepts of Life Planning, 6th edition. Brooks/Cole: Pacific Grove, CA.