Services that will help

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services offered by Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired help Oklahomans with disabilities get jobs in careers of their choice.

You are eligible for VR services if you have a physical, mental or visual disability that keeps you from working and you need vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, find, keep or return to employment.

The primary VR services are counseling and guidance with job placement. Other services compensate for, correct or prevent disability-based barriers to employment:

• Medical and psychological assessments are used to determine eligibility and review consumers' background, abilities, disability-related barriers to employment and rehabilitation needs.
• Vocational evaluation, counseling and career planning guidance are provided by counselors to consumers throughout the rehabilitation process.
• Information and referral help individuals get appropriate services from other agencies.
• Employment services, including job search, placement and follow-up services, help consumers find and keep suitable employment in their chosen careers.
• Assistive technology, including telecommunications, sensory and other rehabilitation equipment and devices, enable consumers to function more effectively in the workplace.
• Training includes vocational, post-secondary, on-the-job, personal and vocational adjustment training, job search skills development and job coaching.
• Diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental disabilities may be provided to enhance consumers' employment opportunities when services are not available through health insurance or other benefits.
• Maintenance helps pay for additional costs connected with being evaluated to determine eligibility or receiving certain services under an IPE.
• Transportation is provided in connection with other services needed to reach employment goals.
  Instructional services, such as rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility services, assist individuals who are blind.
• Self-employment programs help individuals who want to work for themselves, telecommute using computers or operate their own businesses.
• Personal assistance services are available while individuals are receiving VR services.
• Transition School-to-Work services help high school students with disabilities prepare for and reach employment goals.
• Supported employment assists individuals with severe physical, emotional, mental or multiple disabilities with employment in the community.
• Post-employment services help consumers get, keep or move ahead in their jobs.
• Specialized programs assist consumers who are blind, deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and individuals with speech impairments, severe disabilities and those who require independent living services.
• Foreign-language interpreter services enable individuals who do not speak English to participate in their vocational rehabilitation programs.

Some services, such as medical examinations to determine if you are eligible for services, vocational counseling and job placement, are always provided at no charge to you. You may be asked to share the cost of some other services, depending on your income and financial resources.

Follow the links below for more information about our services:

• Seven Steps in the VR Process
• Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
• Client Assistance Program
• Vocational Rehabilitation webpage
• Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired webpage
• Apply for Services webpage