The disability makes it hard for them to get and keep a job without DVRS’ help.

The counselor determines there is a reasonable expectation that DVRS services will help him or her become employed.

DVRS refers individuals who are blind or have a serious visual impairment to the NJ commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Some services can help a person lessen the effects of his/her disability; others can directly help one to prepare for a job. The services received will be arranged to meet individual needs. Not everyone will need every service and not everyone is eligible for every service. Unlike the entitlement to free and Appropriate Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, services from the division of Vocational Rehabilitation have eligibility requirements that one must meet to qualify for services.

Vocational Evaluation – Aptitude, interest, general ability, academic tests, work tolerance, and "hands on" experience are used to assess one’s vocational potential.

Follow-up services: We track client’s progress to ensue employment success. We may also provide job modification consultation.

Post-employment services: If needed, former clients may return to DVRS for supplemental services to keep a job.

Physical restoration: to improve a client’s ability to work, DVRS may provide medical or surgical treatment and physical therapy as well as psychiatric treatment; assistive technology; or prosthetic an orthopedic devices including artificial limbs, braces, eyeglasses, hearing aides, etc.

Job coaching; vocational, professional or on-the-job training: By providing the right skills training, DVRS can enable eligible individuals to secure employment consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities, and capabilities.

Other goods and services may be provided when they are essential to preparing an individual with a disability for employment.

A client and DVRS counselor jointly develop an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) that is goal oriented and based on the client’s need for services leading to employment. The IWRP sets forth exactly what services will be provided and what is expected of both client and agency, including responsibilities and costs, if any.

Diagnostic evaluation, vocational counseling and guidance, job placement, supported employment services, on-the-job training, job coaching, and work adjustment training in a community rehabilitation program are services provided at no cost to the client. Expenses for medical services, training, books, supplies, tools, and equipment are based on an individual’s ability to pay. DVRS financial criteria are less restrictive than those of many other agencies. DVRS counselors are required to locate "comparable benefits" – that is, identical services available from other sources. For example, those seeking training will also be required to apply for a PELL grant, and those who receive medical services will first utilize their insurance coverage.

DVRS cannot pay for services and costs an individual has incurred prior to being determined eligible by DVRS.

DVRS records are confidential and shall be used only for purposes directly connected with the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program. Information will be given out only with the client’s written consent, if required by law, or for the safety and protection of the client or other individuals.

Vocational rehabilitation counselors work with the individuals and their families to develop and carry out a plan for training and placement. Their services include the following:

Provide advocacy for consumer choice/empowerment

Provide information to students and family member on NJDVRS

Technical Assistance on ADA, Section 504, Rehabilitation Act and Amendments, FLSA, and JTPA

Technical Assistance on Social Security Work Incentives

Source of labor market information

Review existing assessments

Help design career exploration, assessment, & training programs

Help design career/employment goals and objectives (including post secondary education and training) through a Individually Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP).

Provide information on community resources

Help with referrals to adult service providers

Advise on assistive devices and adaptations

Mail the application along with any medical or psychiatric records to the nearest DVRS office (see list below). If you can provide the results of a recent physical examination, the rehabilitation process will be expedited. Your application will result in an interview usually conducted in a DVR regional office; if the client cannot travel, the counselor will visit him at home or at a hospital.

Two weeks after mailing the application the DVRS counselor should have contacted the applicant. If there is a problem, please telephone the DVRS counselor or supervisor. Advisors are encouraged to keep in regular touch with the client and the counselor to assist with the process.

Education Referrals – NJDVRS will distribute to each school district information on transition services, referral requirements, and the specific NJDVRS local office individual who will be responsible for coordinating and assigning referrals and technical consultations. School Districts are encouraged to contact that person, even before referral or request for a technical consultation, for preliminary discussion, technical assistance and advice on the timing of NJDVRS involvement.

Steps in the Education Referral Process of DVRS:

As early as age 14, DVRS will act as technical consultants to the school transition team, whether as informally as answering general questions, or as formally as a telephone consultation following a review of records, an interview of students parents, and/or participation in an IEP meeting.

1. The agency records these "formal" contacts in a computer database, so that they can report on the real changes we are making.
2. They will open cases as early as two years from planned graduation, as appropriate, and proceed with a determination of eligibility. Prior to graduation, we will develop an Individual Written Rehabilitation Program (IWRP), to be implemented as soon, after graduation as suitable. 
3. They will identify a rehabilitation counselor to be the primary contact for each school system in the state. They will become outreach agents to school systems, offering our services and encouraging referrals that are early enough to develop plans which we are ready to implement at graduation.

Goals and objectives related to enabling a student to live independently before the student leaves a school setting, to the extent the goals and objectives described in clause C (i) through (iii) are included in an individualized education program of the student, including the specification of plans for coordination with the educational agencies in the provision of transition services; 

2. facilitate the transition from the provision of a free appropriate public education under the responsibility of an educational agency to the provision of vocational rehabilitation services under the responsibility of the designated State unit, including the specification of plans for coordination with educational agencies in the provision of transition services authorized under section 103(a)(14) to an individual, consistent with the individualized written rehabilitation program of the individual; and 
3. provide that such plans, policies, and procedures will address  

1. provisions for determining State lead agencies and qualified personnel
   responsible for transition services; 
2. Procedures for outreach to and identification of youth in need of such
   services; and 
3. a time frame for evaluation and follow up of youth who have received
   such services (Sec. 101(a)(24)).

A request by the local school system for technical assistance from NJDVRS personnel for a student with a disability for whom an exit date of more than two years is projected;

A technical consultation will be initiated by the school system only after consultation with the student or if a minor, with the student’s parent or guardian.

Referral information, as described under the referral segment of this document, is required prior to NJDVRS staff participation in any technical consultation or IEP meeting.

Following a review of this information, DVRS staff will contact the referral source and either consult and offer technical assistance at that time, arrange to meet with the student, or arrange to attend an annual review of the transition component of the IEP.

DVRS has an arts program and also supports independent living centers. In addition, DVRS sponsors supported employment programs and specialized deaf employment programs. You can find out more about these programs through your local office.

Post-employment services may also be available if a former client needs help in order to keep a job.