If you or someone you love has a disability and wants to work, return to work, or succeed in school or training, there’s a powerful resource you may not know about yet: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). VR exists in every U.S. state, is publicly funded, and provides services that can remove barriers to work—including equipment, home modifications, assistive technology, and even occupational therapy support.
Yet people who'd benefit never use it, simply because they don’t know it exists. This guide walks you through what VR is, what it covers, and how to tell whether you or your family member could qualify.
What Is Vocational Rehabilitation?
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a state-run program that helps people with disabilities:
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Get a job
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Keep a job
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Return to work after illness or injury
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Complete education or job training needed for employment
VR counselors work with you to identify the barriers keeping you from working or continuing in school—and then pay for services or equipment that remove those barriers. These programs are federally supported, which means the services can be extremely affordable or even free, depending on your financial situation.
Who Qualifies for Vocational Rehabilitation?
Eligibility varies slightly by state, but most VR programs approve individuals who:
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Have a physical, cognitive, sensory, or mental health disability
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Are experiencing difficulties with work or school because of that disability
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Have a goal to work, return to work, or prepare for a job
Good news:
Many employment-related services—like job coaching and job placement support—are available regardless of income, as long as the disability criteria are met. Other services (like equipment or home modifications) may require a financial need review, where expenses and medical costs are considered.
If you’re unsure, apply anyway. VR will guide you through the financial process.
What Services Can VR Pay For?
One of the biggest surprises for families is just how much VR can help with. Depending on your needs and employment goals, VR may cover:
1. Occupational Therapy (OT) Evaluations
OTs help determine what functional barriers are making work or school difficult. Evaluations can include:
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Home safety and home modification recommendations
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Assistive technology assessments (like speech-to-text, adapted keyboards, or environmental controls)
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Ergonomic evaluations for workspaces
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Support for college accommodations
2. Equipment and Home Modifications
If the equipment is necessary for work or getting ready for work, VR may help pay for it. Examples include:
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Ramps or entry modifications to safely leave the home
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Bathroom modifications needed for independent hygiene before work
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Stair lifts when bedrooms or essential spaces are inaccessible
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Adaptive tools or devices used on the job
3. Assistive Technology
VR can help pay for:
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Screen readers
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Speech-to-text software
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Reading tools
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Communication devices
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Specialized apps or equipment needed to complete schoolwork or job tasks
Some states can even connect you to programs that offer free or discounted tech.
4. Training and Follow-Up Support
If you receive new equipment or technology, VR can also fund:
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Training with an occupational therapist
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Job coaching
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Support while adjusting to new routines or returning to work
5. Job Search and Employment Services
Every state provides services to help you find and keep a job, such as:
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Resume building
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Job leads
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Interview coaching
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One-on-one job search support
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Job coaching for people who need additional, ongoing help
These services are often free, regardless of income.
How VR Decides What to Cover
A key principle guides all VR programs:
Services must be necessary for getting or keeping a job—or for completing training that leads to a job.
That means VR will prioritize the equipment and services that directly impact employment.
For example, VR may approve:
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A bathroom modification needed for safe hygiene before work
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A ramp at the only entrance you use to leave the house for work
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A stair lift to access your only bedroom
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Assistive technology needed to complete college assignments
But VR may not cover home improvements that are unrelated to work—even if they would be helpful overall.
How to Start the VR Process
Here’s how to access Vocational Rehabilitation in any state:
1. Look up your state’s VR office
Most states have online applications and local offices.
2. Prepare basic information
You’ll likely need:
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A description of your disability
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Any medical or school documents showing how it impacts work or school
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Your employment or training goal (e.g., “return to work as a nurse,” “complete an associate degree in IT,” “find entry-level work in customer service”)
3. Ask for an Occupational Therapy evaluation
If functional or environmental barriers are impacting your ability to work, VR can refer you to an OT for:
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Home modification evaluations
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Assistive technology assessments
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Ergonomic evaluations
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Training on new devices
Many states allow OTs to both evaluate and help obtain the equipment you need.
4. Attend your VR meeting
A VR counselor will walk you through eligibility and financial requirements, and help build a personalized plan based on your goals.
When Should You Consider Vocational Rehabilitation?
VR is a good fit if you or your family member:
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Wants to work but is struggling due to a disability
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Is afraid of losing a job because of physical or cognitive changes
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Needs adaptive equipment or home changes to safely prepare for work
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Is in school or training and needs accommodations
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Has trouble communicating, writing, walking, or completing daily tasks required for employment
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Is overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start
If you’re thinking, “I didn’t know VR covered that…”—you’re not alone. Many people qualify but never apply.
How Occupational Therapists Fit Into VR (and Why It Helps You)
OTs play a crucial role in VR because we understand daily routines, work demands, and how the environment impacts function. An OT evaluation can:
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Identify the exact barriers that make work difficult
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Recommend the equipment or modifications needed
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Train you on how to use new tools
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Help VR justify the services you need
If a VR counselor hasn’t mentioned OT yet, you can ask for it directly.
Why VR Is Worth Your Time
VR is one of the few programs designed to reduce both functional and financial barriers to work. It can:
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Keep you or your loved one independent
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Provide equipment you otherwise couldn’t afford
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Support transitions back to work after illness or injury
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Help students with disabilities succeed in school
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Offer job coaching and follow-along support
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Reduce the overwhelm of navigating everything alone
For many families, VR becomes the turning point—where staying home, working, or moving forward finally feels possible again.
Final Takeaway
Vocational Rehabilitation is a powerful, often overlooked resource that can make work, education, and independence achievable for people with disabilities. If disability is getting in the way of employment—or if you’re unsure whether it might—start with a VR referral. It’s free to apply, and it could unlock services and support you didn’t know you could access.
