Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a process that enables individuals with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities, impairments, or health conditions to achieve and maintain employment and support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development. VR can require input from a range of healthcare professionals and other non-medical disciplines such as disability employment advisers and career counselors. The focus of VR has traditionally been job retention, but contemporary approaches have an increased focus on an all-encompassing approach.
VR services vary greatly between countries, but they generally focus on improvements to the socialization, healthcare, and physical and mental wellbeing of the person receiving the services. People eligible for VR generally include those with long-term sicknesses, mental health disorders, common health problems, and severe medical conditions.
VR services can include vocational counseling and guidance, assessments and evaluations, rehabilitation technology, special transportation, adaptive driver training, work readiness, training including tuition, related fees, required textbooks, college, tutor, reader and note-taker services, youth services, physical and mental restoration services, medical care for acute conditions arising during the program, modifications to homes, vehicles, and worksites, job development, and placement.
The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is the road map to employment, and all VR services provided by the VR agency must be included on the IPE and be required to reach the employment goal. The VR counselor is available to assist with developing the plan and reaching the employment goal, or the individual may choose to develop their own plan with guidance from the counselor. The VR counselor must review and approve the IPE and apply their professional judgment and expertise, as well as applicable laws, regulations, and policies to ensure responsible use of public funds.
VR is unique as it is largely reliant on employer compliance and willingness to involve themselves in the process, and it is often marketed in a way that focuses more on the business gains of the program. VR arose from an increased focus on social security systems on a governmental level, and it is believed to be beneficial for people to return to work and to experience full integration into society, which is typically assisted by VR.
