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When students plan ahead for adult life, they are more successful in |
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completing school; |
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going to college; and |
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getting a job. |
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What kind of job do
I want? |
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How will I get that
job? |
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Where can I learn
the skills to qualify? |
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the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with
Disabilities. VESID's vocational rehabilitation program can help an eligible person with a
disability to |
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Plan for a career, |
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Obtain job coaching, |
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Get training to
achieve work goals, |
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Find a job that
matches the person's abilities, interests and needs, and |
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Work with employers
or colleges to make sure the person receives reasonable accommodations when needed. |
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To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation
services, the person must have a physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability that
interferes with their ability to work. The person must also need and be able to benefit
from the services in order to get and keep a job. |
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Your son or
daughter needs to make the right
connections before leaving school, so there is no gap in services. After a student with a
disability leaves school, no single agency is required to provide or coordinate all needed
services. Each agency has its own application process and way of providing service.
Finding out about and planning ahead for services your student will need
will prevent gaps. |
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If your son or daughter is found
eligible for VESID vocational rehabilitation services, a vocational rehabilitation
counselor will work with your child to plan a program. The plan is called an
Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Depending on what your child requires, services
may include work evaluation, planning, counseling, skills training at a college or
community rehabilitation center, adaptive equipment, support services while completing
training, or placement services. Placement services may include job- seeking skills
training, employer referrals, work tryouts and on-the-job services, such as job coaching
or
arranging for reasonable accommodations. |
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We recommend that students be
referred to the VESID vocational rehabilitation program while in their last two years of
school.
This timing allows the counselor to work with your student, you and the school to help
identify a suitable job goal and suggest job readiness activities that can take place
during school. Before the student finishes school, the counselor will develop the
vocational rehabilitation service plan to arrange for additional training, education or
placement services still needed beyond school to achieve the job goal. |
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A school representative, such as a
principal, teacher, guidance counselor or transition coordinator, can provide an
application and make a referral. If someone from your school does not talk with you about
VESID by your child’s senior year, then you may contact your VESID office directly.
With your permission, the school will send VESID information already in
the records about the nature of the disability, as well as your child's
vocational needs, abilities and interests. If additional information is
needed to determine eligibility or develop a plan for services, the
counselor will discuss what additional medical or vocational assessments
are needed. |
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Yes. VESID will not gather or
release any information without signed consent. If the student is under 18, the signed
consent of a parent or guardian is required. If your son or daughter is unable to
understand the consent process, a parent or guardian's consent would be required at any
age. |
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Yes. Participation by parents is
very important, especially when your child is under 18 years of age. You know your child
best. Go with your child to the first meeting with the VESID counselor. Stay in touch with
your vocational rehabilitation counselor to make sure that planning for post-high school
activities is consistent with the plans you, your son or daughter are making with the
school. |
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The answer depends on the work goal,
the hours and wages, whether it is a permanent or temporary job, and how suitable the
job
is. Discuss your child's situation with the counselor. |
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There is no cost for advice and
planning assistance provided by the vocational rehabilitation counselor or for determining
if and how VESID can assist you. Once it is decided that your son or daughter is eligible,
family resources and level of need are considered in providing some services that may be
needed by your child to accomplish the job goal. A family may be expected to share in the
costs of services such as attending college, purchasing equipment, or making necessary
modifications to your home. Financial need is NOT considered for job development, work
tryouts, on-the-job training, and supported employment.
Your counselor will discuss financial planning as part of developing the plan. |
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The vocational rehabilitation
counselor can advise you generally about how your child's benefits may be affected when
your son or daughter begins earning wages. However, you should directly contact the Social
Security Administration to obtain specific information about the impact of your child's
employment on benefits and about available work incentive allowances. |
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Inform your counselor so that all
services can be coordinated to meet your child’s needs. |
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VESID does not provide these
services directly, but can refer you to other agencies that can help. |
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To find the VESID office near you,
call:
1-800-222-JOBS (voice or TTY), |
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go to the website at:
http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr/, |
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or email us at:
accesweb@nysed.gov |
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More information about helping youth
with disabilities get ready for adult life can be found at this web site:
https://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/transition/home.html
This web site tells about planning careers, college, assistive technology, living on your
own and other concerns that young adults have. It tells about different services, where to
find help and links you to other helpful websites. |
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Click here to get
more information on: |
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The
State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion,
creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic
predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs,
services and activities. Portions of this publication can be made available in a variety
of formats, including braille, large print or audiotape, upon request. Inquiries
concerning this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department's Office
for Diversity, Ethics, and Access, Room 152, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.
Requests for additional copies of this publication may be made by contacting the
Publications Sales Desk, Room 309, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. |
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