Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): A Client's Guide to Getting and Keeping Work
Finding a job is hard for anyone. For people with disabilities, it feels close to impossible at times. Factors such as navigating disclosure, accommodations, and trying to communicate with employers who are themselves unsure how to respond (due to lack of knowledge in the area) all make the process increasingly difficult. Luckily, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) exists to help with exactly that. It is a program which is designed to help people with disabilities prepare for, find and maintain employment. In Maryland, for example, the program is run by the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). After having the pleasure of interviewing and speaking with a DORS counselor, I have compiled a simple guide to what agencies do, who they serve, and what clients should expect when dealing with them.
What VR Does
As I said, DORS helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep employment. It is not a benefits program and it is not a legal advocacy agency; its focus is solely your career, working with you to set an employment goal and then connecting you with the support you need to reach it.
Possible services offered are:
Job development, resume writing, and interview preparation
Job coaching (one-on-one support)
Vocational training and college assistance
Assistive technology
Support with workplace accommodations and learning to self-advocate
Clients may have the opportunity to work directly with a combination of DORS counselors, job coaches, evaluators, or other approved service providers, depending on the service and needs.
Who Is Eligible?
Not everyone qualifies. To be eligible, for this a person must have a documented disability that creates barriers to obtaining or maintaining employment. Vocational Rehab centers will typically ask for medical or psychological records that document the disability, and any functional limitations within the following seven areas:
Mobility
Communication
Self-care
Interpersonal skills
Work tolerance
Work skills
Self-direction
These records help counselors decide eligibility, and what level of support someone may need.
Order of Selection: Why Some Have To Wait
As a result of the possibility of demand for services exceeding funding provided, DORS uses an Order of Selection that prioritizes people by the severity of their disability and their functional limitations. Each client will fall into one of three categories:
Category 1, Most Significantly Disabled: Individuals who suffer significant limitations in at least three of the seven areas. These clients are first in line and able to move forward with an employment plan immediately .
Category 2, Significantly Disabled: Individuals with significant limitations in at least one area. These clients are currently placed on a waiting list with an estimated wait time of one year. However, DORS is said to be working hard to shorten that as soon as possible.
Category 3, Non-Severely Disabled: Individuals with no significant limitations in the seven areas. Services are unlikely to be immediately available, and if this is the case counselors will point people to other community resources.
These categories and wait times reflect what DORS reported to me and are subject to change; clients should always confirm directly with the DORS themselves.
The Process and Timeline
As an example, DORS follows set timelines once a referral comes in. That timeline is as follows:
10 days: the counselor makes initial contact.
30 days: the intake appointment should be scheduled.
60 days: the counselor gathers documentation and decides eligibility.
90 days: once eligible, the counselor develops the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
After the IPE is approved, when services will begin depends on what you have requested and the providers' availability.
Your Employment Plan (IPE)
For anyone who may be unaware or unsure of what an IPE is, it’s simply the roadmap of your case in vocational rehab. It typically includes your employment goal, and why that goal fits your abilities, interests, and needs. The services and supports required, your responsibilities, and the form in which that takes shape will be tracked to follow your progress.
Clients have a lot of say in shaping those factors, as VR encourages people to identify their own interests and career goals. Generally, as long as the goal and services align with agency guidelines, and they have the ability to provide that type of support, they will do so.
Will It Cost Me Anything?
Now we arrive at one of the most common misconceptions, and the honest answer is: it depends. Applying will not cost anything. Some services, however-- such as college tuition, assistive technology, and transportation-- may involve financial participation from the client. Whether or not a client contributes depends on their income and on whether they receive benefits such as Medicaid, SSDI/SSI, or SNAP. It is decided individually, based on the services requested, so we recommend that costs are discussed before agreeing to a plan.
Additional Support Along the Way
Is English not your first or best language? No worries, as VR programs generally have interpretation services in multiple languages including American Sign Language.
Counselors are not therapists, but they are human beings and they understand that this process isn’t always the easiest on the person applying. They understand that each individual has different needs and they adjust accordingly, whether this means allowing extra processing time or breaking tasks into smaller steps in order to help clients.
Every client has a dedicated counselor. Formal meetings typically happen at intake, as well as in plan development, annual reviews, and plan amendments. However, counselors are adaptable and additional meetings can take place based on need. It is not unusual for clients to maintain monthly contact with their counselor.
After You Are Hired
After you are hired, support does not just disappear. DORS, for example, typically monitors job stability for about 90 days before closing a case as "successful". Clients who need ongoing long-term support can be connected to other agencies, such as the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) or the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), if they meet those eligibility requirements.
Quick Tips Before You Apply
Here are some quick tips to make sure you are ready before you apply!
Gather medical or psychological records that describe your disability and how it limits you in the seven areas.
Think about your interests and goals before intake, since you will help shape your plan.
Ask about costs and your Order of Selection category early.
Tell your counselor about any communication or anxiety-related needs.
Keep in regular contact, as the process has many steps and timelines.
BREATHE, and SMILE! Help is on the way.
Hopefully, if nothing else, this guide helps you gain assurance that there is help out there and that resources are not futile. These processes are not always the easiest, unfortunately, but there are individuals who want to help you and can adapt to your needs. Don't lose hope-- your future career is worth it.
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