10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Work with Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federally funded program administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration to help eligible individuals with disabilities find and keep employment. Each state manages their own VR program, and may be part of the Department of Labor, Education or Human Services in your state government. VR is a voluntary program, and requires you to be an active participant in the process. You can get the most out of your work with VR by following some simple guidelines.

1) Understand the Process; Every VR program is similar, but each state functions slightly differently. Find out what the process is in your state; Do they have an orientation? Is there a wait list? How often do you meet?What are the expectations on you? On the counselor?

2) Take responsibility; VR is a voluntary program and they are there to assist you with finding employment, not do it for you.

3) Do your homework: Research jobs you would like to do. Evaluate the tasks, educational requirements, pay, and job market for that job in your area. They are all things that the counselor will need to know before agreeing to a plan.

4) Understand your strengths; An old cliche, but very important when looking for work. It can be helpful in identifying the right job for you as well as selling that potential employer in an interview.

5) Understand your disability and needs; It is important to understand the functional limitations of your disability, how it impacts your ability to carry out certain tasks. This will be important when looking at how your skills match to a particular job as well as when considering accommodations or assistive technology.

6) Ask for help; Avoiding meetings or putting off completing tasks can look like you don't want to work. Ask for any support you may need, whether its how to get certain information or anxiety about taking a particular step. That's what they're there for.