Quick answer: Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a state and federal program that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs. Every state has a VR agency. For students with disabilities ages 14 to 21 (up to 22 in some states), VR must offer Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS): job exploration counseling, work-based learning, counseling on postsecondary education, workplace readiness training and instruction in self-advocacy. Families can contact VR while the student is still in high school, and the IEP team can invite a VR counselor to transition meetings.
In this guide
Many families have never heard of vocational rehabilitation until their child is about to graduate. That is too late to use the services designed for high school students. Connecting with VR early can mean paid work experience, career counseling and job coaching before the last day of school.
What Vocational Rehabilitation Does
| Service | Examples |
|---|---|
| Career counseling | Exploring interests, setting an employment goal |
| Training and education | Help with vocational training or college costs, depending on the plan |
| Job placement | Resume help, job search, interview practice |
| Supported employment | Job coaching and long-term supports |
| Assistive technology | Devices or software needed for work |
The U.S. Department of Education has stressed coordination between special education and VR to improve employment outcomes (OSERS and RSA, 2020).
Key point: Vocational rehabilitation is not only for adults. Pre-ETS are designed for students still in school.
The 5 Required Pre-Employment Transition Services
Pre-ETS for students 14 to 21
Tennessee’s VR program lists the same five services and the 14 to 21 age range, which can extend to 22 where state IDEA eligibility does (Tennessee VR). Age ranges can differ slightly by state.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Path Step by Step
From first contact to a job
Vocational Rehabilitation and the IEP
- Invite a VR counselor to the IEP meeting, with parent or adult student consent.
- List VR as an agency linkage in the transition services section.
- Share transition assessment results to avoid repeating testing.
- Match Pre-ETS to postsecondary employment goals.
- Plan who applies for full VR services and when.
Email to the case manager
“Hello, my daughter is 15 and interested in working in animal care. Could we invite our state vocational rehabilitation counselor to her next IEP meeting to discuss Pre-Employment Transition Services, especially work-based learning? Thank you.”
Real-Life Example
Case story
Malik, 16, has a visual impairment and loves cooking. Through Pre-ETS, he joined a summer work-based learning program in a hotel kitchen with a job coach and screen-magnifier tools. At 18 he applied for full VR services. His Individualized Plan for Employment included a culinary certificate program and adaptive kitchen equipment. He now works as a prep cook.
Did you know? Paid work experience in high school is a research-based predictor of employment after school. Explore autism in the workplace for job supports that work.
Vocational Rehabilitation FAQ
What is vocational rehabilitation?
A public program in every state that helps people with disabilities prepare for and get jobs.
At what age can students use VR?
Pre-ETS are for students with disabilities ages 14 to 21 in most states; full VR services are available to eligible adults and students.
Does vocational rehabilitation cost money?
Many services are free; some states ask for cost sharing based on income for certain services.
Do students need an IEP for Pre-ETS?
No. Students with an IEP, a 504 plan, or a documented disability may qualify.
What is an IPE?
The Individualized Plan for Employment, which sets the job goal and services for a VR client.
In short: Vocational rehabilitation opens doors to work while students are still in school. Contact VR by 14 to 16, use Pre-ETS and link VR to the IEP. This article is part of our Transition to Adulthood series.
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Sources
- Tennessee Department of Human Services. Pre-Employment Transition Services
- OSERS and RSA (2020). Letter on collaboration between special education and VR
- U.S. Department of Education. OSERS Transition Activities
- Illinois Center for Transition and Work. Employment predictors brief
This article is educational and does not replace professional advice.
