Navigating Vocational Rehabilitation Services as a High School Student Who Is Blind or Low Vision

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There are first steps to take when spreading your wings, including knowing what it takes to network. This post will explore the wealth of transition resources available at your local Vocational Rehabilitation Services office.

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services aims to help people with significant disabilities acquire the skills needed to find and retain employment successfully.  All VR programs are intended to help students ultimately gain employment.

For students in high school, vocational rehabilitation programs offer assistance in learning independence skills, participating in a work-experience program, attending a residential blindness program, and/or providing some support to attend college.  For students who are blind or visually impaired with additional disabilities, VR programs can provide additional guidance, counseling, and resources.

Obtaining VR Services

When you start exploring your transition options, one of the first things to ask for is an introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation Services.  You can ask your vision teacher, high school case manager, or guidance counselor to invite someone from your local vocational rehabilitation services agency to attend your IEP meeting.  The official introduction often happens during a scheduled IEP meeting when transition agencies are invited to make those first connections with a student and their family.  But you don’t have to wait.  You can contact your local vocational rehabilitation services office on your own, or your parent or a family member can contact them on your behalf. If your parent makes initial contact with the VR agency, be sure that the counselor or intake coordinator also captures your thoughts. 

During the initial meeting with your vocational rehabilitation counselor, you will be asked several questions about vision loss and career interests. Prior to that, thinking and brainstorming about your likes and interests is a good idea.  Having an idea of what you like and are interested in will help you have a productive conversation with the rehabilitation counselor. The more information the counselor gathers, the easier it will be for them to line up services and program referrals for you.

When you begin receiving Vocational Rehabilitation services, you will be juggling your school courses and community activities. Know that the balancing act is worth the effort; your rehabilitation case will open doors to new and exciting opportunities; services can help you prepare to thrive and adapt to the competitive workforce. 

Tips and pointers that will help when working with your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor while in High School

Career Exploration: 

To help you receive meaningful VR services, start by researching career options. You may investigate careers of interest in your regular high school classes with career interest inventories and self-assessments and through seasonal and summer work experiences; your rehabilitation counselor can also help with these pursuits. The information you learn from these activities is foundational in helping you and your counselor develop a plan to help you pursue your passion. Working with your VR counselor and connecting with a local agency that facilitates paid work experiences are steps that can open up opportunities that might soon lead to that first job.  From being a school teacher, lawyer, doctor, or even owning your own business, the options are limitless.

Independent Living Skills: 

Look towards maximizing your ability to learn skills such as meal preparation, opening a bank account, and gaining additional confidence while traveling to new places with your cane.  With curiosity as your ally, you and your Rehabilitation Counselor can identify available community Transition programs that can provide individual and group instruction on these lifelong skill-building assets.

Residential Independent Living Programs: 

As you near graduation, you may be considering university or a vocational training program. Yet, you may be uncertain about using all those handy independent living and travel skills out on the world’s stage. Many states have Orientation Training Centers where 18 and older can attend a training program spanning anywhere from a month to a year.  These programs offer opportunities to learn advanced independent living skills and orientation and mobility skills that help inspire confidence and maximize lifelong success. Additionally, specialized training centers across the country can also be investigated. Work with your vocational rehabilitation counselor to research and discuss what residential training program may fit you.

Considering College: 

Often as part of your agreed-upon vocational rehabilitation case (your Individualized Plan for Employment), your vocational rehabilitation counselor can support college through a variety of ways. Assistive technology, support with materials, books, and supplies, limited tuition, and other supports may be discussed if your high school program, courses, and extracurricular activities have you on a college track. 

Going to Work: 

Once you’ve completed high school, attended various training courses, mastered your assistive technology, received vocational training, or graduated college, what’s left is the icing on the cake. Generally, what happens next is working with the rehabilitation counselor to seek gainful competitive employment. Depending on available services in your region, you may be assigned to work with a job developer or employment coordinator who can support you by reviewing your resume, assisting with interview techniques, and helping you ultimately find job leads.

These are five general areas to consider as you investigate your options after high school. 

You have important decisions to make with plenty of choices and options at your fingertips. Journaling your goals regarding personal goals, school interests and achievements, dreams about college, and career desires will help you navigate your state’s rehabilitation services.

You can visit Rehabilitation Services Administration to learn more about rehabilitation services and locate your state’s agency.