FACT SHEET 
 
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended through P.L. 114-95, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), 
States receive federal grants to operate comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs. This State-operated 
program is designed to assess, plan, develop and provide VR services to eligible individuals with disabilities consistent with 
their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice. By providing services in 
this way, the VR program enables individuals with disabilities to prepare for and engage in sustainable employment. 
 
Eligibility: 
Individuals must meet the following eligibility standards: 
• 
Must have a physical, intellectual, sensory, or mental 
impairment;  
• 
Impairment must result in a substantial barrier to 
employment; 
• 
Need VR services to gain, retain, or regain 
employment; and  
• 
Can benefit from VR services to achieve an 
employment outcome. 
 
Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income 
(SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI); as well 
as, students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) 
are considered eligible, unless they are too significantly 
disabled to benefit for Vocational Rehabilitation Services.  
Each case is reviewed individually and treated on a case-
by-case basis. 
 
Application Process: 
• 
Individuals must submit a written application. 
• 
The VR agency assigns a VR counselor to each 
applicant. 
• 
Assessments are conducted and once an individual is 
determined eligible to receive VR services, 
notification will be issued in writing. 
• 
An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) will be 
developed; in which the individual must be given the 
opportunity to make an informed choice in selecting 
his/her employment outcome, required VR services, 
and service providers. 
• 
Individuals who are job ready are provided job search 
assistance to identify available job openings until 
employment is achieved for at least 90 days. 
 
 
 
Vocational Rehabilitation Services:  
VR services are those services that an eligible individual 
may need in order to achieve his/her employment 
outcome. These include, but are not limited to, the 
following: 
• 
An assessment for determining eligibility and VR 
needs; 
• 
Vocational counseling, guidance, and referral services; 
• 
Physical and mental restoration services; 
• 
Vocational and other training, including on-the-job 
training;  
• 
Maintenance for additional costs incurred while the 
individual is receiving certain VR services; 
• 
Transportation related to other VR services; 
• 
Interpreter services for individuals who are hearing 
impaired; 
• 
Reader services for individuals who are blind; 
• 
Services to assist students with disabilities to transition 
from school to work; 
• 
Personal assistance services (including training in 
managing, supervising, and directing personal 
assistance services) while an individual is receiving VR 
services; 
• 
Rehabilitation technology services and devices; 
• 
Supported employment services; and 
• 
Job placement services. 
 
Transition Services For Youths Who Are In School: 
• 
Job exploration Counseling 
• 
Work-based learning experiences 
• 
Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in 
comprehensive transition or postsecondary services 
• 
Workplace readiness training to develop social skills 
and independent living 
• 
Instruction in self-advocacy 
The VR agency must provide the individual with information in writing and in the best appropriate mode of communication. 
 
Knud Hansen Complex – Ste. 1, 1303 Hospital Ground, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 . Telephone: 340-774-0930 
#2 Estate Carlton, Frederiksted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00840. Telephone: 340-643-8145 
 
GOVERNMENT OF 
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES  
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SEVICES 
DIVISION OF DISABILITIES AND REHABILITATION SERVICES