What is VR?
Vocational rehabilitation, or VR, is a federal–state program that helps eligible people (people who have disabilities that pose barriers to getting and keeping a job) to get and keep employment. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers in competitive integrated employment.
What types of services can VR provide to eligible individuals?
A variety of services may be provided, depending on individually identified needs, such as: • Assessment (medical, psychological, etc.) • Rehabilitation counseling • Vocational evaluation and planning • Disability related medical and or psychological treatment • Career counseling and guidance • Work experience while in high school • Training and education after high school • Job-site assessment and accommodations • Job placement • Job coaching • On-the-job training • Supported employment • Assistive technology and devices • Other expenses supporting individual needs (i.e.; travel)
I’ve heard that VR won’t pay for college for people with intellectual disability. Is that true?
VR agencies can support college attendance in multiple ways (see next question for examples). Since VR services are individualized to meet each person’s unique needs, the decision whether or how to support college attendance is based on the vocational goals and needs of the individual. With their counselor, individuals develop a unique plan that outlines the services they may need, considering things like their interests, aptitudes, skills, the local labor market, and more. Because services provided are individualized to each person; based on “strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests,” the VR agency is prohibited by regulation from making categorical denial of certain services, like college for people with intellectual disabilities. However, financial support for any service varies from person to person and is largely based on financial need. Contact your local VR agency for more information.
How can VR support students with intellectual disability to attend college?
VR agencies can support students’ postsecondary education success by providing: • Counseling to high school students on college options, • Counseling to college students including how to choose courses, how to access needed supports or technology, and how to explore employment while in school, • Financial assistance for tuition and other expenses, • Supports such as VR counseling, assistive technology, benefits planning, and job coaching while in college, and • Support in making the transition from college to employment, including assistance getting and keeping a job.
I’m the director or coordinator of a new postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disability. What's the best way to approach VR to discuss collaboration?
You should set up a meeting with administrative staff from your state VR agency. You can find their contact information by searching the state VR agency’s website, or via CSAVR. Approaching VR to discuss collaboration should start with establishing a relationship with them. Before you meet with VR, think about: • Some ways your program might partner with VR counselors to support students, • How your program will help students prepare for and obtain employment, and • What measures of success VR agencies are held to and how you can help them meet these measures. For the best results, go into your first meeting, and maybe even first few meetings, with only one ask— to get to know each other sufficiently to ask about working together. It's important to keep in mind that the goal and purpose of VR is competitive, integrated employment. Approach VR staffers as professionals who can assist individuals on many levels, and as a resource you’d like to partner with to meet a common employment related need. In other words, don’t just think of VR as a funding stream.
What kinds of supports could someone receive from VR if they want to attend a college program for students with intellectual disability?
VR supports are determined on an individual basis. They might include counseling and guidance, plan development, tuition and fee support, room and board, books/supplies, assistive technology, transportation assistance, and any other service that is determined to be needed for the individual to obtain and maintain employment.
Are there certain aspects of a college program that will make it more likely that VR may be able to help fund a student to attend?
The goal of VR is to support individuals with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment. Because of this, VR will view a college program more favorably if the program has a strong employment component and supports students in gaining inclusive work experiences. Programs can distinguish themselves by demonstrating that graduates of the program have higher employment rates, wage earnings, work more hours, and/or get better employer benefits than others who don’t go through the program. It is also important to note that whether or not a VR agency can financially support any program or service is largely dependent on the student or family’s financial need, state and local office budgets, and individual counselor discretion.
What rights do students with intellectual disability have if VR denies support for college?
It is important to remember that there are many ways that VR agencies can support students attending college. Of course, funding is one of the first things that comes to mind, but it is certainly not the only important thing that VR brings to the table. VR can always provide counseling and guidance, support with planning and decision-making, and bring a whole new perspective with extensive expertise. By keeping your VR counselor informed, updated, and involved, you can set yourself up for a smooth transition from college to work following graduation. Additionally, the Rehabilitation Act outlines that VR must have a policy on and provide due process for individuals and/or their representative or advocate who do not agree with a decision made by the counselor or agency, including if VR denies funding college for individuals with intellectual disabilities. As part of that due process, most states provide for supervisory reviews or some form of informal review of determinations internally. Individuals or representatives/advocates may also request a fair hearing with an impartial hearing officer. Such requests are best made by the individual however college program staff can play a support role by sharing with individuals their right to due process and how to use it. It is always best to try and resolve differences of opinion with the counselor first. Maintaining a collaborative relationship with your VR counselor is the best way to help them help you. They may know something that you don’t! The Rehabilitation Act also provides funding for each state to have an independent Client Assistance Program, often referred to as “CAP.” This program provides advocacy and education directly related to VR decisions that eligible individuals disagree with. They are a valuable resource to such individuals. Your VR agency can tell you how to contact the CAP program for your state.
What examples of successful partnerships between VR and college programs for students with intellectual disability?
Some of the key findings from a Think College research project on effective partnerships with VR are: • Partnerships could be originated by either the VR agency or the college or university, • Successful partnerships are built on a foundation of shared values, understanding each other’s goals and processes, and attention to strong relationships between IHE and VR staff, • Communication is essential to the partnership, not just in formal meetings but in day to day, student-focused communication between staff, and • Strong partnerships involve a sense of the VR and higher education staff working together as a team to support each student’s success in college and beyond. Check out the research document detailing these findings and these recommendations for communication. Also check out this Insight Brief for state VR agency leaders’ perspectives on successes and challenges in partnering with higher education programs for students with intellectual disability for more recommendations. Read this article for profiles of states with effective VR-higher education partnerships.
I’m a VR professional. Where can I learn more about how to support access to college for students with intellectual disability as a pathway to employment?
Check out this list of Vocational Rehabilitation Partnership Resources. This handy "hyperdoc" lists the most up-to-date and critical resources from Think College for vocational rehabilitation professionals working with students with intellectual disability who are attending college. It includes the title, a brief description, and a link to numerous resources in three different topic areas: enhancing partnerships, policy & guidance, data & research. A flyer with a QR code to the resource online is also included, and can be downloaded and printed to share with others.
Have more questions about VR and postsecondary education?
Email the Think College Help Desk with your questions. A staff member will respond as soon as possible! thinkcollegeTA@umb.edu.
