Vocational Rehabilitation

Reaching For Your Dreams
North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation

Decisions concerning careers or training are never easy. As a young adult trying to figure out where you fit into the constantly evolving world of work, you are making decisions that may have a life-long impact.

For individuals with disabilities, these decisions can be even more difficult.

You have dreams and aspirations, just like everyone else, when selecting and planning for an appropriate employment goal. However, because of your disability, you may need to address other issues such as:
• Determining whether modifications or accommodations are needed for school or work.
• Identifying who is responsible for these modifications or accommodations.
• Determining what questions are appropriate on an application or during an interview.
• Knowing when and how to discuss your disability with an instructor or employer.
• Knowing what your rights are under the ADA or Section 504.

While these issues may sometimes seem overwhelming, they can be overcome with perseverance and a little help. That’s where we come in. We are North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and we’re here to help you navigate through some of these issues.

It’s About Ability

Having a disability doesn’t mean you lack abilities. VR consultants are trained to help you make an informed choice about your future school or career plans. To be eligible for VR services, you must:
• Have a disability that affects your ability to find employment or maintain employment,
• Be able to benefit from the services that lead to employment.

If you are determined to be eligible for services, your VR consultant will help you to determine an appropriate employment goal. You and your consultant will work together to formulate an Individual Plan for Employment, or IPE. Your IPE identifies the services you need to achieve your goal as well as the resources needed and their availability.

One thing to remember is “eligibility doesn’t mean entitlement.”

Putting Technology to Work

Career success is the ultimate goal of your IPE. For some individuals with disabilities, achieving that success is made more challenging because of a physical limitation. This is where Assistive Technology (AT) can be a huge help.

Early on, you will complete an AT screening tool. This will show whether AT can help you achieve your goals. Based on the results, we may call on the expertise of our Interagency Project for Assistive Technology (IPAT) professionals. Now, if you’re thinking that AT is limited solely to high-tech, you are wrong. It’s a whole science of developing tools and processes that help individuals access goods and services. Working as a team, we can determine the best AT to effectively suit your needs.

We Are Close By

Vocational Rehabilitation regional offices are located close to you. We have eight offices located in the state’s major cities. To learn more about our services, simply contact the nearest VR office in the Human Service Centers. It will give you all the info you will need to contact us.

Finally, from all of us to you, we wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors.

Vocational Rehabilitation & the Department of Public Instruction:
Working Together for You

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), working closely with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI), provides vocational guidance and counseling to eligible high school students with disabilities. Students are involved in career exploration activities such as interest testing, labor market research and job shadowing. The effects of their disability are also considered when pinpointing possible career choices.

High School to Postsecondary
Transitioning from high school to postsecondary education will require the student to disclose his or her disability to access special accommodations. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan does not follow the student to college. The VR consultant can assist the student in advocating for the services they will need to be successful.

VR may assist with the services a student needs that are not provided by the institution, such as personal aids and devices. If there is a demonstrated financial need, VR may also assist with actual school costs.

High School to Work
Students with disabilities who are transitioning from high school to a job in the community could receive training through Vocational Development or the Supported Employment Program. VR contracts with a provider to provide job development, placement and job coaching to assist in obtaining a job and learning the new job duties. If long-term job coaching is needed to maintain employment, funding sources will be sought out.