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What programs exist to help people with disabilities become
employed?
While several programs exist to assist individuals with
disabilities to become employed, the primary one overseen by
the Department of Education is the vocational rehabilitation
(VR) program. Under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
as amended (Act), states receive federal grants to operate a
comprehensive VR program. These funds are awarded to designated
state VR agencies within each state. This state-operated
program is designed to assess, plan, develop and provide VR
services to eligible individuals with disabilities, consistent
with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns,
abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. By
providing services in this way, the VR program enables
individuals with disabilities to prepare for and engage in
employment.
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Who is eligible for the vocational rehabilitation
program?
According to section 102(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 as amended (Act), in order to be eligible for VR services,
an individual must:
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Be an "individual with a disability," meaning a
person who (1) has a physical or mental impairment which
constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to
employment for the individual; and (2) can benefit from VR
services to achieve an employment outcome.
- Require VR services to prepare for, secure,
retain, or regain employment.
Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are
presumed to be eligible for VR services leading to employment,
unless there is clear and convincing evidence that they
are too significantly disabled to benefit from VR services.
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If I am eligible for the vocational rehabilitation program,
do I automatically receive services?
Not all individuals who are eligible will receive VR
services. The Act requires the VR program to serve individuals
with the most significant disabilities first when there are not
enough resources to serve everyone who is eligible for VR
services. This means that individuals with the most significant
disabilities are given a priority over those with less
significant disabilities. This process is called an "order
of selection."
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How do I apply for services?
To apply for services, an individual may submit a written
application. An individual will be considered to have
"submitted an application" when he/she
"requests" VR services and provides sufficient
information for the VR agency to determine eligibility.
Eligibility is to be determined within 60 days of application
unless the VR counselor and individual agree to an
extension.
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What services can the vocational rehabilitation program
provide?
According to Section 103(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, as amended (Act), VR services are those services that an
eligible individual may need in order to achieve his/her
employment outcome. These include, but are not limited to, the
following:
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an assessment for determining eligibility and VR needs;
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vocational counseling, guidance and referral services;
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physical and mental restoration services;
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vocational and other training, including on-the-job
training;
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maintenance for additional costs incurred while the
individual is receiving certain VR services;
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transportation related to other VR services;
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interpreter services for individuals who are deaf;
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reader services for individuals who are blind;
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services to assist students with disabilities to transition
from school to work;
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personal assistance services (including training in
managing, supervising and directing personal assistance
services) while an individual is receiving VR services;
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rehabilitation technology services and devices;
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supported employment services; and
- job placement services.
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Are there grants or scholarships available for people with
disabilities who want to go to college?
Policies for providing financial assistance to persons with
disabilities who are attending school vary among state VR
agencies, depending in part on the resources available to the
state VR agency. In many cases, even the most generous of
financial assistance provided by VR agencies will not cover all
of a student's expected expenses, leaving a need for
additional family contributions or loans.
There are publications available that enumerate the types of
financial assistance for individuals with disabilities. One is
the booklet "Financial Aid for Students with
Disabilities." It provides an overview of a variety of
financial aid resources. Students with disabilities must apply
for federal financial assistance from the same financial aid
programs available to all students. To receive a copy of this
publication or for more information, contact:
Address:
The George Washington University
HEATH Resource Center
2121 K Street, NW, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone:
(202) 973-0904
(800) 544-3284
(202) 973-0904 (TTY)
Fax:
(202) 973-0908
E-mail:
askheath@heath.gwu.edu
Web site:
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/
For more information on financial aid in general, contact:
Address:
Federal Student Information Center
Box 84
Washington, DC 20044
Telephone:
(800) 433-3243
(800) 730-8913 (TTY)
Web site:http://studentaid.ed.gov
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What can the vocational rehabilitation program do to help
people with disabilities start their own businesses?
While self-employment has always been a permissible
employment outcome under the Rehabilitation Act, as amended
(Act), two recent reports, one by the Twenty-Fourth Institute
on Rehabilitation Issues (1998) and the other by the
Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with
Disabilities (November 15, 1998), concluded that
self-employment outcomes are an underutilized and potentially
productive (given the changing nature of the U.S. workforce)
source of employment opportunities for individuals with
disabilities. These reports found that technological advances,
especially in the areas of computers and telecommunications,
have removed many of the obstacles that previously hampered
individuals with disabilities from successfully entering
self-employment.
The language in the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998
regarding self-employment, telecommuting and establishing a
small business makes it clear that Congress intends these
employment outcomes to be available in assisting individuals
with disabilities to obtain employment opportunities consistent
with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns,
abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.
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Where can I get more information on how the vocational
rehabilitation program can work with me to start my own
business?
Three recent documents present information on effective
methods of providing VR services to individuals with
disabilities entering self-employment and establishing small
businesses.
The Twenty-Fourth Institute on Rehabilitation Issues
produced a document titled "People With Disabilities
Developing Self-employment and Small Business
Opportunities" (1998). This document is intended as a tool
for VR counselors to assist individuals with disabilities, and
a resource for VR consumers who wish to pursue self-employment
and small business opportunities. This document also contains
references that can provide additional assistance. Copies of
this document may be obtained from:
Region VI Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program
P.O. Box 1358
Hot Springs, AK 71902
Telephone: 501-623-7700
Fax: 501-624-6250
Web:
Online Order Form
(Note: The Region VI Rehabilitation Continuing
Education Program maintains a Web site on self-employment and
entrepreneurship for individuals with disabilities at: www.rcep6.org/business.htm.)
The "First Report of the Presidential Task Force on
Employment of Adults with Disabilities" (November 15,
1998) contains the findings of the Work Group on the Small
Business and Entrepreneurial Opportunities which provides
information on what activities are currently underway to
increase self-employment as a viable employment outcome and
what actions are necessary to further the use of this
employment outcome. This document also provides references that
may be useful to state VR agencies in their efforts to more
effectively utilize self-employment and the establishment of a
small business as employment outcomes.
"Getting Down to Business: A Blueprint for Creating and
Supporting Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Individuals with
Disabilities" (April, 2000) addresses the current status
of small business and self-employment opportunities for
individuals with disabilities and offers recommendations for
addressing barriers to business ownership. The findings in this
report build upon the proceedings of the National Blue Ribbon
Panel on Self-employment, Small Business and Disability,
convened by the President's Committee on Employment of
People with Disabilities in July 1998. This publication
contains profiles of successful entrepreneurs, an overview of
the business planning process, useful Web sites, and
entrepreneurial opportunities for individuals with
disabilities.
Copies of these latter two documents may be obtained
from:
Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with
Disabilities
Room S2220D
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20210
Telephone: 202-693-4939 (voice)
202-693-4290 (TTY)
Fax:202-693-4929
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How do I contact the vocational rehabilitation agency in my
state?
This link will provide you with a list of state vocational
rehabilitation (VR) agencies nationwide. Contact the one in
your state of residence for more information.
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How successful is the vocational rehabilitation program?
In its 80-year history, VR has assisted 10 million eligible
individuals with disabilities to become employed. In the last
three years, VR has averaged approximately 230,000 employment
outcomes per year. In addition, the job retention rate of VR
consumers is 85 percent, and, according to a recent study, 76%
of VR consumers report that they are satisfied with their
experience in the VR program.
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If I am not satisfied with my experience with the vocational
rehabilitation program, what can I do?
Although RSA administers the VR program in each state, our
authority to intervene in individual cases is limited. One of
our primary roles is to ensure that individuals with
disabilities have the opportunity to exercise their rights to
due process when they believe their rights have been
violated.
Section 102(c) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
(Act), establishes an appeals process for individuals who are
dissatisfied with the services that VR is or is not providing.
The Act gives individuals the right to pursue mediation as a
means of resolving the complaint against the agency. The Act
also establishes a formal hearing process and a judicial review
process for individuals. You may utilize any or all of these
methods of appeal in order to resolve your concerns.
The Act also establishes the Client Assistance Program (CAP)
to assist individuals in resolving disputes with the VR agency.
CAP has the authority to advocate on an individual's behalf
in order to resolve a dispute between the individual and the VR
agency. You can contact the CAP directly in your state for
further advice and assistance regarding your rights to appeal.
Please see the link below for the appropriate address and
telephone number.
Finally, the staff of our regional offices are better able
to investigate individual complaints. You may contact the
regional commissioner for the appropriate regional office for additional information and assistance.
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I am a student looking for financial assistance to help me
become a rehabilitation professional. Do you have a scholarship
program that can help me?
Yes. RSA funds universities to provide scholarships to
students interested in working as rehabilitation professionals
in support of the public rehabilitation program. To find out
how the program works and how to apply, visit the scholarship
section of the RSA Training
Program Web site.
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Can you direct me to information on training grant
opportunities?
Yes. The "grant opportunities" section of the RSA training program website
has information that will meet your needs.
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I am a rehabilitation professional and would like
information on continuing education opportunities. Can you lead
me to an appropriate resource?
RSA sponsors two types of continuing education centers that
might be of interest to you "general" and
"CRP" Regional Continuing Education Programs (RCEPs).
General RCEPs focus on providing continuing education to staff
of state vocational rehabilitation agencies, and vocational
rehabilitation service projects for American Indians with
disabilities. They also provide some training for staff of
independent living centers sponsored by RSA. CRP RCEPs provide
continuing education for staff of community rehabilitation
programs that support state vocational rehabilitation agencies,
and independent living centers sponsored by RSA. Each RCEP
serves a specified geographic region. RSA also funds other
specialty programs that may be of interest to you. To find out
more about these programs and to locate the RCEPs that serve
your location, visit the continuing education page of the RSA Training Program Web
site.
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I work in a state vocational rehabilitation agency. I am not
clear on the requirements referred to as the "CSPD"
requirements relating to staff qualifications. Do you have any
resources that can assist me?
The RSA Training program website includes a section on
"CSPD" resources. It offers guidance and a document
full of questions and answers to the most common CSPD questions.
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