Vocational Rehabilitation

Every state has a federally funded agency that administers vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, and independent living services.

VR assists those individuals to secure gainful employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities through local job searches and awareness of self-employment and telecommuting opportunities.

Services vary widely depending upon the state. Services typically include medical, psychological and vocational assessments; counseling and guidance; referral to services from other agencies; vocational and other types of training; interpreter and reader services; services to family members; rehabilitation technology services; placement in suitable employment; post-employment services; and/or other goods and services necessary to achieve rehabilitation objectives.

The Rehabilitation Services Administration is the federal agency that oversees programs that help individuals with disabilities to obtain employment through the provision of counseling, medical and psychological services, job training, and other service. RSA funds the state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide employment-related services for individuals with disabilities.