Vocational Rehabilitation Center

Vocational rehabilitation centers aim at providing training to patients who have lost hopes of earning their living because of some accident, injury, or disease. After coping with all this, patients might realize that they are no longer suitable for the jobs they were doing earlier. These centers are like a silver lining in the lives of these patients. Vocational rehabilitation centers enable them to financially support themselves and/or their families, thereby making them feel more confident.

The vocational rehabilitation centers work independently and exclusively for this purpose. Most of them are an extension of the other rehabilitation centers. They provide vocational rehabilitation to help their patients gain independence and live a respectful life. The vocational rehabilitation counselors help these patients to select a vocational course that will suit their health and personality.

Vocational rehabilitation has helped many physically or mentally disabled people to join the workforce. These centers have tie ups with business organizations and governments to help disabled individuals find an appropriate job. Vocational rehabilitation centers are also run by many educational institutions as added program for disabled people.

Services

Most of the institutions operating vocational rehabilitation centers provide following services for its patrons:

• Job compatibility assessment (Vocational evaluation and planning)
• Physical, medical and psychological evaluation of patient
• Counseling for career plan and guidance
• Skills development (Training and education)
• Placement services
• Assessment of workplace and supportive facilities (job site and accommodation facility compatibility evaluation)
• Coaching / training for specific job
• Medical and psychological treatment services (short term only)
• Assistive technology and devices / equipment

Vocational rehabilitation centers also provide following services for the business organizations through corporate affiliations or contracts:

• On the job training (OJT)
• Injured worker rehabilitation program
• Employee (disabled) evaluation for job compatibility

Vocational rehabilitation not only helps disabled people in getting a new job but also at times in retaining the existing job. They might provide training in such a manner that you may be able to take up job with your old employee but with some other job responsibilities.

Vocational rehabilitation centers

Given below is the list of certain vocational rehabilitation centers either run by educational institutions or healthcare providers as an additional service:

• Division of Vocational rehabilitation, Florida Department of Education, Tallahassee, Florida
• South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD), West Columbia, South Carolina
• Nebraska Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation, Lincoln, Nebraska (has branches in all 50 states)
• Vocational Rehabilitation Department at Utah Department of Human Services (USH), Provo, Utah
• Johnson City Career Center, Johnson City, Tennessee
• Knox County Career Center, Knoxville, Tennessee

To find a vocational rehabilitation center in proximity, it is advisable to refer local healthcare directory.

Individuals Suitable for vocational rehabilitation

Not all disabled patients are suitable for a vocational rehabilitation program. Vocational rehabilitation centers grant admission to individuals only after complete evaluation. Disabled persons with following disorders may be eligible for a vocational rehabilitation program subject to compatibility evaluation:

• Rehabilitated drug (substance abuse) addicts
• Mentally disabled
• Brain paralysis
• Mild disabilities
• Hearing or visually impaired
• Amputees
• Stroke / brain injury

Therapeutic services

A vocational rehabilitation center not only imparts skills and knowledge but also provides therapeutic rehabilitation to ensure that treatment is continued. This includes following programs:

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Psychological services
• Nursing services
• Counseling
• Others (depending upon the disabilities)

However, before joining any vocational rehabilitation center, it is always suggested to look for its credentials and certification of staff to avoid any inconvenience caused in future. A vocational rehabilitation center is an ideal place for individuals with disabilities to regain their independence and live a dignified life.