Vocational Rehabilitation

Other Programs and Services

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. In addition, OVR provides other programs and services, as described below:

Services for Employers, Businesses and Industry

OVR provides a wide range of services for employers, including helping you meet your recruitment and hiring needs. We will match prescreened, qualified candidates to your business requirements, and provide follow-up and support to make sure both you and the employee are satisfied. Content within this section includes employer services and business incentives.

Individualized Employment Services

An OVR Counselor can assist you in planning your job search. You will receive ideas, practice, and advice on finding job leads, filling out job applications, getting interviews for a job, and how to interview for a job. Your counselor may also give you job leads or contact employers to explain available tax credits and other hiring incentives. Your Counselor can help you explore employment trends, your capabilities, and possible job accommodations so that you are better prepared to make informed vocational decisions and effectively look for a job.

Transition from School to Work

Any high school student with a disability who may need vocational guidance and assistance in preparing for, obtaining, or maintaining competitive employment should be considered for referral to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Ideally, students should be referred two years prior to graduation, although referrals can be made earlier when appropriate. Information within this section includes how to make the initial referral, what happens after the referral is made, the initial interview with an OVR counselor, and how to determine eligibility.

Ticket to Work

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program is Federal legislation signed into law on December 17, 1999 under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act. It is a nationwide initiative designed to bring positive changes to those individuals receiving Social Security Disability cash benefits. The legislation is aimed at reducing the barriers to employment for people with disabilities by placing an increased emphasis on work incentives, and a larger choice in finding the services needed to go to work or to earn more money.