Life After School

Vocational Rehabilitation

Sometimes people with disabilities may need help finding, keeping, or moving up in a job. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services can help people reach these goals. State vocational rehabilitation agencies help people with disabilities prepare for, find, keep a job, or move to another job. They can also help someone return to work or grow in a career. As discussed below, there are also services that can help transition-age students.

Vocational Rehabilitation Service Providers

South Carolina has two state agencies that provide vocational rehabilitation services and supports for people with disabilities.

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) provides employment services and independent living supports to people with low vision, blindness, or a disability that may result in blindness, and

The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD) provides employment services to people with all other disabilities.

Two Types of VR Services During Transition

SCVRD and SCCB can help students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. Students can receive support in two ways:

Through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), or
By applying for direct services from a VR agency to receive transition and other needed vocational rehabilitation services.

We will use the term vocational rehabilitation or “VR” to refer to services from both SCVRD and SCCB.

Type 1: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are available for students with disabilities who are attending school, are between the ages of 13 and 21, and need these services. Students do not need to apply for full VR services or have an open case with VR to receive Pre-ETS. These services are usually short-term and are meant to help students start planning for their future. A student can request these services, or a school or agency may recommend them. Services may be provided by a VR agency or by another group working with the VR agency. There are five Pre-ETSs, but a student does not need to receive all five. These services include:

Service Type	Explanation
Job exploration counseling	Includes exploring careers that interest the student.
Work-based learning experiences	Includes job site visits, internships, and work experiences. This could occur at school or in the community. Students can learn and practice skills relevant to the workplace.
Counseling on postsecondary education	Learn about education options after high school and other skills to get postsecondary education, such as requesting accommodations when needed.
Workplace readiness training	Build social and independent living skills (this can include a variety of skills to help a student prepare for work and independence).
Self-advocacy training	These skills include learning about rights, recognizing disability-related needs, and knowing how to address them if needed in a job setting.

If you have questions about Pre-ETS or if you should be receiving them, you can ask your local VR office.

Type 2: VR Transition Services

Transition services are a type of support VR can provide to students and young people with disabilities who are found eligible for VR services. These services help students transition into life after high school. This can include post-secondary training to achieve a work goal in competitive integrated employment, work training, supported employment, and living independently. Transition services are based on the students’ needs, likes, and interests. They can include instruction, community experiences, employment goals, and planning for other areas of adult life. These services are to help students reach their employment goals.

To get these services, a student will need to apply to the VR agency. If they are eligible, the VR agency will help them create an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE is a written plan that lists the student’s employment goal and the services the student needs to reach those goals. This can include transition services. This plan must be reviewed at least once a year and can be updated with the student’s needs and wants. This can provide students with more personalized services to help them transition from high school to postsecondary education and/or employment.

Note About Students with an IEP

For a student with an IEP, VR can also be invited to attend IEP meetings to help with transition planning. As noted above, school districts can invite outside agencies with the consent of the parent/adult student, if the agency can help with transition. Keep in mind that VR can continue helping students after they leave high school. Having an IPE in place before leaving high school can help create a smooth transition.

Sometimes, there are disagreements over whether someone is eligible for VR services, what services are provided, or how quickly services are delivered. The Client Assistance Program (CAP) at Disability Rights South Carolina (DRSC) can help with these matters. CAP can help people understand the VR process, self-advocate for their needs, or communicate with SCVRD or SCCB when issues come up.

Frequently Asked Questions About VR Services

The first step in getting VR services is to contact the local VR office. See contact info below.
After you contact them, you will be given a counselor who will work with you to complete your application and request information from your current care providers. This information will be reviewed to decide if you are eligible for services.
To be eligible for VR services, a person must have a disability that makes it difficult to work. The person must want to work and be able to work with support.
High school and transition students who are looking to work or have part-time job experiences may also be eligible.
People who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance are automatically considered eligible.
VR must decide eligibility within 60 days from the application submission, unless an extension is agreed on by VR and the person applying or it is determined that trial work experiences are necessary.

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB)

The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD)

Evaluations and tests.
Job counseling and guidance.
Work training (including college, technical schools, on-the-job training, etc.).
Assistive technology (AT) services and devices to include certain types of software, augmentative communication devices, etc. AT is any device, software, or equipment that helps to increase or keep the ability of people with disabilities functioning in daily living.
Interpreter services (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing).
Orientation and mobility training (for people with a visual disability).
Supported employment (job coaches and other supports on a job).
Transportation (to get to services).
Personal assistance services (on or off the job).
Occupational licenses, tools, and equipment.
Other goods and services to reach a work goal.

Once a person is found eligible for services, a VR Counselor will work with the person to develop a plan for rehabilitation services to reach the employment goal. This plan is called an “Individualized Plan for Employment” (IPE). People have the right to receive information from VR that will help them make decisions about their plan. This includes the right to know:
- What goods and services are available.
- How to access the goods and services.
- How long can a person can receive the goods and services?
People with disabilities (and their representatives) are full partners in creating and following the IPE. A VR Counselor’s role is to help people make good and informed choices about their services.
People have the right to:
- Choose their employment goal.
- Decide which services they need to reach that goal.
- Select where and how to receive services.
- Choose the providers who will deliver their services.
If a person disagrees with a decision made by the Counselor, the person may appeal the decision. The Client Assistance Program (CAP) at Disability Rights South Carolina can help with this process.
If a person does not know what type of job is wanted, VR can do an evaluation to learn about the person’s strengths, needs, abilities, interests, and career goals.
People can receive VR services to get advanced degrees or training.
The IPE is reviewed at least once a year and may be changed at any time.

People should keep asking questions until they are sure they have enough information to make good decisions about their job goal, services, providers of services, and location of services.
People should make sure their job goal matches their abilities, wants, likes, and priorities.
If people are thinking about using an outside service provider, ask how successful they have been with other VR clients.
People have the right to change their IPE or refuse to sign it if they disagree with the employment plan.
If a person’s Counselor is not responding or there are delays in receiving services, a person can contact their Counselor’s supervisor or the Client Assistance Program (CAP) at Disability Rights South Carolina (DRSC).
When setting up an appointment at VR, people should explain the reason for their visit so that the Counselor or other VR staff members will be prepared.
Before a person leaves any meeting or appointment, they should make sure they and their Counselor understand what each person needs to do next.

If a person is not happy with any decision VR has made in their case, there are several ways the decision can be reconsidered. This includes an eligibility decision, a decision that a person cannot benefit from VR services, or a decision not to provide a services to a person.