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Frequently Asked Questions

 

about the Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation system

 

01

What is Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)?

 

The Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation system provides services to Oregonians with disabilities.  It is located within the Department of Human Services.  These services are used to help people get and keep employment that best matches his or her skills, interests, and abilities.

02

Is VR right for me?

 

VR Services may be right for you if:

  • You have a documented physical, developmental or mental/emotional disability that makes getting or keeping a job difficult

  • You need services and support, such as counseling, training, or assistance with job searching in order to get or keep a job

  • You want to work

03

My child is still in school and has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Can my child receive VR services?

 

Yes!  VR works with students who have IEPs, 504 plans, or neither.

04

How soon should I apply for VR services?

 

VR services can be accessed as soon as you are of legal age to work, have an identification card, and start to have an interest in employment.  The Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities states that VR can start working with people as young as age 14 in order to assess skills.  At age 17 VR can begin the intake process.

05

Do I have to pay for VR services?

 

Generally, no.  Vocational Rehabilitation services are a statewide resource.  VR is a state and federally sponsored program.

06

Will receiving VR services affect my benefits (for example, SSDI)?

 

Benefits counseling may be used to help you understand how earned income may affect your Social Security and Medicaid benefits.  The Department of Human Services benefits counseling page can be found here.

 

Work incentives were created that allow individuals to work while still receiving benefits.  The Department of Human Services created a “7 work incentives network myths and facts” handout that explains this process.  This handout can be found here.

07

What services are offered through VR?

 

The VR website informs that a variety of services are available to assist people with disabilities to prepare for, get, and keep a job.  The services used will depend on your individual needs but may include:

  • Assessment services

  • Counseling and guidance services

  • Assistive technology services

  • Training services

  • Employment services

If interested in learning more about these services, please click here and find the question titled, "What types of services does VR offer?".

08

What training and education do Vocational Rehabilitation counselors have?

 

  • graduate degrees in rehabilitation counseling or related area such as clinical mental health or educational psychology

  • knowledge and experience in vocational evaluation, medical aspects of disability, labor market information and service coordination with community partners

  • access to an extensive network of employers and community resources who support the employment of people with disabilities

  • experience in including the family in the rehabilitation process, if desired by client

09

My VR counselor told me I would have an IPE. What is that?

 

IPE stands for Individualized Plan for Employment.  This is a plan set to your specific needs that lists services to address your employment barriers. It could include:

  • counseling and guidance

  • identification and coordination of job accommodations

  • training

  • job development

  • job coaching/support

  • restoration services (such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, or mental health services)

  • assistive technology and services

10

I have decided that VR is right for me.  What will the process look like?

 

The process will look different for every person but will follow a series of steps.  A road map to VR services has been provided to list the steps in the VR process.

 

Bibliography

 

Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities. (n.d.). Section 7: Vocational rehabilitation services. Retrieved from http://ocdd.org/doc_downloads/Transition_manualFORWEBsections7.pdf

 

Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions about vocational rehabilitation services. Retrieved from http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/employment/VR/Pages/FAQs.aspx

 

Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services [PowerPoint presentation]. (2015, April 29). An introduction to vocational rehabilitation.

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