North Carolina

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

What is Vocational What is Vocational Rehabilitation?Rehabilitation?

A public service program that A public service program that assists individuals with assists individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, disabilities prepare for, obtain, and retain gainful employment.and retain gainful employment.

State VR agencies operate State VR agencies operate under the Federal Rehabilitation under the Federal Rehabilitation ActAct

Eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation:

Impairment/Disability (physical, cognitive, emotional, developmental)

Disability creates an impediment to employment

Requires VR services to prepare for, obtain or maintain employment

Eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation:

Impairment/Disability (physical, cognitive, emotional, developmental)

Disability creates an impediment to employment

Requires VR services to prepare for, obtain or maintain employment

Services:Services:

AssessmentAssessment Counseling and GuidanceCounseling and Guidance TrainingTraining Medical ServicesMedical Services Job PlacementJob Placement Support ServicesSupport Services

AssessmentAssessment Counseling and GuidanceCounseling and Guidance TrainingTraining Medical ServicesMedical Services Job PlacementJob Placement Support ServicesSupport Services

TITLE I – EMPLOYMENT

IN GENERAL, Title I provides that no

EMPLOYER shall discriminate against a

QUALIFIED individual with a DISABILITY as

long as the ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS of the

job can be performed with or without

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS that do

not constitute an UNDUE HARDSHIP on the

employer.

QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL

WITH A DISABILITY:

An Individual with a Disability who, with or

without Reasonable Accommodation, can

perform Essential Functions of

employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job DescriptionJob Description

Time Spent on FunctionTime Spent on Function

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Making Existing Facilities AccessibleMaking Existing Facilities Accessible

Job Restructuring or ReassignmentJob Restructuring or Reassignment

Modified Work Schedules or ProceduresModified Work Schedules or Procedures

Acquisition/Modification of Equipment/ DevicesAcquisition/Modification of Equipment/ Devices

Providing Qualified Interpreters or ReadersProviding Qualified Interpreters or Readers

EXAMPLES:

CLASSROOM ACCOMMODATIONS CLASSROOM ACCOMMODATIONS INCLUDE:INCLUDE:

Note takersNote takers Volunteer, Student Workers, C-PrintVolunteer, Student Workers, C-Print

Sign Language InterpretersSign Language Interpreters CaptioningCaptioning ReaderReader ScribeScribe Testing AccommodationsTesting Accommodations

Extended TimeExtended Time Low-distraction SettingLow-distraction Setting Reader and ScribeReader and Scribe Computer for Written ResponsesComputer for Written Responses

Academic Support Academic Support ServicesServices

Textbooks in Alternate FormatTextbooks in Alternate Format Dictation SoftwareDictation Software Learning Assistance CentersLearning Assistance Centers TutoringTutoring Disability CounselingDisability Counseling Collaboration with Faculty Collaboration with Faculty and Staffand Staff

ACCESSIBLE FORMATS FOR ACCESSIBLE FORMATS FOR PRINTED MATERIALPRINTED MATERIAL

E-text (electronic text)E-text (electronic text) campus library, Blackboardcampus library, Blackboard

AudioAudio CD or Tape, Abbey Fine Reader, Screen CD or Tape, Abbey Fine Reader, Screen

Reader softwareReader software BrailleBraille

The TEN The TEN COMMANDMENTS of COMMANDMENTS of

COMMUNICATING with COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with PEOPLE with DISABILITIESDISABILITIES

The TEN COMMANDMENTS of The TEN COMMANDMENTS of COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with

DISABILITIESDISABILITIES

I. Speak directly rather than throughan interpreter who may be present.

II. Offer to shake hands when introduced. People with limited hand use or an artificial limb can usually shake hands and offering the left hand is an acceptable greeting.

The TEN COMMANDMENTS of The TEN COMMANDMENTS of COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with

DISABILITIES (cont.)DISABILITIES (cont.)

III. Always identify yourself and others who may be with you when meeting someone with a visual disability. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.

IV. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen or ask for instructions.

The TEN COMMANDMENTS of The TEN COMMANDMENTS of COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with

DISABILITIES (cont.)DISABILITIES (cont.)

V. Treat adults as adults. Address people with disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others. Never patronize people in wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder.

VI. Do not lean against or hang on someone’s wheelchair. Bear in mind that people with disabilities treat their chairs as extensions of their bodies.

And so do people with guide dogsand help dogs. Never distract awork animal from their job withoutthe owner’s permission.

The TEN COMMANDMENTS of The TEN COMMANDMENTS of COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with

DISABILITIES (cont.)DISABILITIES (cont.)

VII.Listen attentively when talking with people who have difficulty speaking and wait for them to finish. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, or nod of head. Never pretend to understand; instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to respond.

VIII.Place yourself at eye level when speaking with someone in a wheelchair or on crutches.

The TEN COMMANDMENTS of The TEN COMMANDMENTS of COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with COMMUNICATING with PEOPLE with

DISABILITIES (cont.)DISABILITIES (cont.)

IX. Tap a person who has a hearing disability on the shoulder or wave your hand to get his or her attention. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly, and expressively to establish if the person can read lips. If so, try to face the light source and keep hands, cigarettes and food away from your mouth when speaking.

X. Relax. Don’t be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions such as “See you later” or “Did you hear about this?” that seem to relate to a person’s disability.

Thank you for your Thank you for your attention.attention.

Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation ServicesServices