What are the different types of vocational rehabilitation?

Vocational rehabilitation, also called vocational rehabilitation, is a service that is generally provided to people with disabilities, to help them secure and maintain stable employment. This process typically includes several stages, such as assessment, career counseling, training, job placement, and ongoing job support. Most rehab facilities emphasize individualized treatment for each client.

There are many reasons why people may require vocational rehabilitation services. Some may need it to help them re-enter the workforce after an injury. Young people with disabilities can benefit from rehabilitation as they make the transition from the school system to the workplace. Others who have suffered from a long-term disability can use the new technologies offered by rehabilitation offices to help them manage their work.

In general, one of the first things that happens when a person visits a vocational rehabilitation office is an evaluation of a client by a trained rehabilitation counselor. This evaluation often consists of mental, psychological, and physical tests. Through this, counselors hope to determine if the client can benefit from a rehabilitation program and what types of services that program should include.

The type of rehabilitation an individual receives generally depends on the type of disability they experience. Most vocational rehabilitation centers offer services to people with physical, mental, learning, or emotional disabilities. Each of these general disability categories requires a different type of treatment, and some clients experience more than one.

Most offices serve clients with physical disabilities with both physical therapy and assistive technology equipment. The physical therapy side of treatment often includes muscle exercises, aquatic therapy, and therapeutic recreation. The goal is usually to help the client increase their physical mobility. Additionally, some vocational rehabilitation facilities offer pain management therapy to clients suffering from chronic pain.

Some vocational rehabilitation offices help clients purchase assistive technology equipment. This equipment typically allows customers to access technology essential to their jobs. Examples of this equipment include one-handed keyboards for people who cannot use both hands or modified desks for people in wheelchairs.

Many vocational rehabilitations help clients with mental and emotional disabilities find and keep stable employment. These services typically include time management classes, interview skills, and other types of job readiness training. Courses may also include specialized training on how to deal with a particular disability in the workplace.

In the United States, vocational rehabilitation programs are generally funded by the federal government and run by state governments. The federal agency that oversees these local programs is the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). There is also a vocational rehabilitation program run by the Department of Veterans Affairs that is specifically designated for veterans whose military service led to their disability.