Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
__________
[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
- g. Coordination with Employers
Describe how the designated State unit will work with employers to identify competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities in order to facilitate the provision of:
- g. Coordination with Employers
g. 1. VR Services; and
Current Narrative:
Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) knows that given the needs of our clients, a robust employer engagement model is required to be successful. VR continues to use job placement contractors to identify individual employment, assessment, and training opportunities for those who require those services to become employed. Additionally, VR strives to expand the base of employers who work with our clients who do not require individualized outreach to employers. By leveraging opportunities with other workforce partners, VR believes that it can increase employment opportunities for Oregonians with disabilities and begin to change perceptions associated with individuals with disabilities in the workforce.
To this end, VR has hired four Regional Workforce and Business Coordinators, where there was currently one statewide position, to more closely connect with, analyze and communicate business need to VR staff so that services and programming may align more responsively and strategically.
VR will:
• partner with the local Employment Department Business Teams to coordinate employment services
• partner with the Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to coordinate employer engagement activities
• provide information to VR staff regarding apprenticeship programs and processes
• partner with local mental health providers in coordinating employment services
• continue to partner with Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) on employment services
• participate and coordinate local employer recruitment events and job fairs
• contract with providers to provide local employer engagement events and activities for individuals with disabilities
• provide training to contracted job placement and partner providers
• establish local MOU’s with federal business contractors
• provide information to VR staff regarding 503 information, protocols and processes
• provide local trainings and resources on disability awareness and accommodations
• establish partnerships with local nonprofits that provide employment services
• participate in local area business events to enhance disability awareness
• promote and develop local area internships for individuals with disabilities
Employer survey respondents were asked to rate the perceived helpfulness of a variety of potential services provided to employers by VR. The survey items with the highest perceived helpfulness reported by respondents to the business survey were:
- Providing workers with disabilities with the accommodations and supports they need to do the employer’s work;
- If concerns arise, providing consultation with management, the workers, and co–workers to resolve the concerns;
- Placing qualified individuals in internships at the business with full reimbursement of the employer’s expenses;
- Providing training consultation and resources related to the provision of reasonable accommodations; and
- Finding workers that meet the employer’s workforce needs.