We offer help to individuals with disabilities. We create chances for progress, or advancement in employment for individuals with disabilities.
Overview
We help people:
- Prepare for work
- Discover new jobs
- Keep their existing job
- Advance in their job
According to the CDC, data source from 2021, "Disability & Health U.S. State Profile Data for Texas (Adults 18+ years of age)", it is estimated that 5,813,254 adults in Texas have a disability.
This is equal to 28%, which means about 1 in 4 adults in Texas have a disability.
If you are one of the 1 in 4 of adults who have a disability and need Vocational Rehabilitation Services for employment, contact us to apply for services.
Learn More About VR Services
Are you a person with a disability, or a family member of a person with a disability?
Connect with VR staff
Here are some ways to learn about VR services:
- Go to Start My VR to fill out an online referral form
- You can find a Vocational Rehabilitation Office by using our VR Office Lookup page.
- To contact TWC Vocational Rehabilitation:
- Call: 512-936-6400
- Contact VR
- Please include your name, phone number, mailing address (city & zip code needed),
and any other contact information, in your email - This helps us connect you with your nearest local office
- Please include your name, phone number, mailing address (city & zip code needed),
Once you complete the online referral form, a VR staff member in an office close to your home will contact you.
Application
- Contact your Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation Services office
- You can apply for services by sending in an application or have a meeting with a VR staff member, either online or in person
- Before or after your application, you will be contacted by SARA
- SARA is a Semi-autonomous Research Assistant, software that we use to help with communication
- You will see a text message from number 34459, or an email, with the words, "SARA Introduction"
We recommend you accept using SARA, so you can get all the benefits of improved communication including information on your case.
Eligibility
- Within 60 days or less from application, your VR counselor determines eligibility
- You can do evaluations either before or after you're found eligible
These evaluations help you and us learn more about your skills and the services that can support you.
Create a Plan of Services
- Within 90 days or less from eligibility, you will meet with your VR counselor
- During your meeting, you will discuss the services you need for employment
- This plan will outline your job goal and the services that have been approved to help you
- You will set your goal for employment and complete an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that lists all
the approved services that we will assist you with, so you are successful in your employment goals - Depending on the services you had planned, you may also have meetings with the people you picked to help you with those services
You may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if you:
- Have a disability which results in barriers to employment
- Need services to discover and prepare for employment
- Need services to find and get new employment
- Need services to keep or advance in employment
If our services can help you get, keep, or advance in employment, you may be eligible. See "Apply for Services" for more information to start the process or go to Start My VR.
Examples of Disabilities:
- Vision loss, deafblind, or blindness disabilities
- Psychological or mental health disabilities
- Deaf or hearing loss
- Addictions with alcohol or substance use
- Intellectual, dyslexia or other learning difficulties
- Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD
- Physical disabilities that include traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury
- Arthritis and other related issues
- Other physical disabilities that involve individuals who feel pain while moving around
Services to Assist with Employment
Services depend on if you qualify and what specific needs you have. Services may help you prepare for a job, get a job, keep a job, or advance in employment. We can help with (as needed):
- Vocational counseling and guidance
- Hearing tests, visual exams, or other physical evaluations for diagnosis and treatment ideas
- Psychological testing for mental health
- Vocational assessments & Medical exams
- Helping to find jobs or careers that fit what may interest you based on your needs
- Help buy hearing aids, wheelchairs, prosthetics, braces or other medical devices
- Therapy services like speech therapy, physical therapy, psychological therapy, or other behavioral therapy
- Services to improve your physical wellbeing, including possible surgeries for recommended & needed treatments
- Get a degree or certificate from a college, university, or vocational training program
- On the job supports such as training on the job, or a job coach to assist you on the job
- Provide accessibility evaluation for your job and recommend accommodations or assistive technology
- Working with your employer on job duties. This will help you talk to your employer on any disability related issues you may have
- Work with your employer to provide different ideas on how to be successful on your job.
- If you are blind or visually impaired, we can connect you with people who help you learn braille. They teach how to get around the house and workplace
- They also help train on other health management skills
Job Matching & Placement Services
- Job Placement services that help find jobs that fit your needs
- Transportation services to and from your job
- This includes bus pass vouchers
- Modification for your vehicle tailored to help your disability
- Services can help people with various disabilities in finding a unique job
- Provide referrals to other long-term services that other organizations provide
- Referral or connect to other community agencies and organizations
Sometimes decisions are made you may not agree with. When this happens we suggest:
- Talking to your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or their Supervisor to work it out
- Find the contact information for an office to speak with someone in person. Our VR Office Locator page can help find an office near you
- If you don't feel heard, you can appeal the decision
The Appeal a Vocational Rehabilitation Decision page has important steps to take so you can appeal a decision you disagree with.