Three different types of programs are referred to as vocational rehabilitation (VR). On the one hand, vocational rehabilitation is a set of services aimed at assisting people with disabilities in obtaining or maintaining employment. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which authorizes assistance specifically for disabled people, requires such programs to be implemented. The Rehabilitation Services Administration is in charge of the program.
A second type of vocational rehabilitation involves worker retraining after an injury in order to assist the worker in returning to work. The third type of vocational rehabilitation is a program that provides assistance to people who are underemployed or unemployed but still want to work.
As part of their Individual Education Program, students who require vocational rehabilitation may receive services (IEP). Graduating students typically have a transition team to assist them in moving on to the next stage of vocational rehabilitation if they still require assistance.
Adults in need of assistance can seek assistance from either government or non-profit organizations. Goodwill Industries of America is one non-profit that has a long-term commitment to vocational rehabilitation. Goodwill assists unemployed people, whether they have disabilities, a lack of job training or experience, or other barriers to employment. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) assists people in finding vocational rehabilitation organizations.
You can also find state offices and programs by contacting your state government, which should have at least one vocational rehabilitation office for people with disabilities. Assessment of needs, vocational counseling, training, transportation, school-to-work transition assistance, interpreter services, and job placement are some of the services provided by states. Dedicated offices for the blind and visually impaired are common in states. Certain states have their own initiatives, such as the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program in Iowa, which aims to assist people with disabilities in starting and running their own businesses.