Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that works with individuals who have disabilities to help them find and maintain employment and enhance their independence. The program's goal is to become the first place people with disabilities turn when seeking employment and as a top resource for employers in need of qualified employees.

At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees the program. The RSA provides leadership and resources to assist state and other agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation and other services to individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and integration into the community and the competitive labor market.

At the state level, the Florida Department of Education (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) is the designated state agency for vocational rehabilitation services. The division determines client eligibility for VR services, provides VR services in collaboration with state and local entities, conducts research, and administers a statewide VR needs assessment.

VR services and accountability requirements are directed by both federal and state law.

Under the provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA), the governor of each state or territory must submit a unified or combined state plan to the U.S. Department of Labor that outlines a four year strategy for the State's workforce development system. The public workforce system is a network of federal, state, and local offices that function to support economic expansion and develop the talent of the nation's workforce. In order to prepare people for the jobs of today and of the future, the public workforce system works in partnership with employers, educators, and community leaders to foster economic development and high-growth opportunities in regional economies. This system exists to help businesses find qualified workers to meet their present and future workforce needs. Florida's unified state plan is effective from July 2020 through June 2024 and includes

• adult, dislocated worker, and youth programs as well as Wagner-Peyser Act job search and placement services administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity;
• workforce policy and investment directed at the state level by CareerSource Florida and administered by 24 local workforce development boards;
• adult education and family literacy programs; and
• Vocational rehabilitation and blind services administered by the Florida Department of Education.

To be eligible for VR services, an individual must have a disability and requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment. Individuals determined to have a disability as determined by other state or federal agencies, such as Social Security, may be used.

According to the Able Trust, 13.7% of Floridians have a disability, and only 20.4% of Floridians with a disability are employed, as opposed to 63% of Floridians without a disability. Over 500,000 Floridians with a disability could enter the workforce with the right education, training and support.

The program provides individually tailored services and job training to people with disabilities who want to work. An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed to address the client's needs and lead to employment. Services may include:

• Pre-Employment Transition Services - VR services offer students with disabilities an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life, and focuses on exploring careers, developing work skills, practicing social skills, and acquiring a network of community supports while still in high school. 
• Transition Student Programs - This program helps students with disabilities train for a job, continue their education or find a job after high school. Students receive sponsored career counseling, work readiness training, and work experience in the community for students in high school to help them transition to individualized training, education and employment.
• Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind services - Addresses hearing loss issues in the workplace, as well as guidance and counseling on how to cope with hearing loss.  
• Independent Living - Promotes a philosophy of independent living--including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy.
• Supported Employment - A unique employment service for individuals with the most significant disabilities who require ongoing support services to succeed in competitive employment.  
• Ticket to Work - is a Social Security Administration program available to Floridians. The program issues tickets to individuals who qualify for Social Security benefits. These tickets may be taken to Employment Network (EN) providers, such as VR, who offer access to employment and rehabilitation services necessary to help a person secure and retain employment.
• Self Employment - Provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to own a business with appropriate resources and support.  
• Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) program provides individuals with disabilities access to assistive technology. FAAST has Regional Demonstration Centers that provide services to increase awareness, access, and acquisition of assistive technology for all Floridians. The program provides repair and funding for assistive technology. 
  

Clients can receive services from local field offices. The division's website provides location and contact information for each office. The Vocational Rehabilitation Ombudsman Office is available to assist applicants and clients in resolving customer service needs.

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Florida Rehabilitation Council issues a joint report with information on participants and outcomes. The 2021-22 report shows that the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation handled 32,130 referrals, and 5,669 individuals successfully obtained employment as a result of these services. The U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration's interactive website provides additional data and reports for Florida and other states.

Federal grants fund the major programs and services provided by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The state is required to provide 21.3% of the funding.

Websites of Interest
National Rehabilitation Information Center
National Rehabilitation Association
The Able Trust
U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitative Services Administration
CareerSource Florida

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (H.R. 1385, Titles I and IV); Section 34 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 361 and Ch. 413, Florida Statutes

Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, 850-245-3399 (Voice/TDD) or 1-800-451-4327 (Voice/TDD)
Website