Narrative: k.

The ADRS Business Relations program has a Business Relations Consultant (BRC) housed in each VR district unit in the state.  The BRCs attend regional workforce meetings of the regional boards, councils, and career clusters to develop strong working relationships with regional workforce staff and business as well as to educate VR staff and external partners about labor market data, current initiatives, workforce training, credentialing programs, and career opportunities in their local area. BRC staff market VR business services through Chamber meetings and community events and provide business and industry with consultation and assistance regarding recruitment, disability-specific training, technical assistance with tax incentives and accommodations and ADA consulting.  These services to business and industry lead to training, work-based learning and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The ADRS RAVE (Retaining a Valued Employee) program allows BRC staff to rapidly respond to the needs of business and industry through the delivery of efficient retention services to assist a business with retaining an employee whose employment has been affected by illness, injury or disability. Engagement with businesses through the RAVE program necessitates collaboration with business and includes ADRS vocational rehabilitation counselors, BRCs, rehabilitation technology specialists and other rehabilitation professionals. ADRS collaborate with community rehabilitation partners, supported employment partners and BRC staff to provide a number of customized services to businesses which enhance hiring opportunities of individuals with disabilities include a variety of the following: Pre- hire work experiences; Mentoring or internships; Summer work experience; On-the- Job training support (fiscal and programmatic) after hire; Apprenticeship Sponsorship opportunities, Career Advancement services; Accommodations at the job site such as: job coaching, delivery and set up of accommodation resources, and additional follow up services to ensure success.  The BRC director Serves as Statewide liaison to Disability: IN Alabama focusing on objectives that support VR goals, disability- owned businesses, and mentoring for exiting college students through the Disability: IN NextGen program. The BRC director serves as liaison to The NET (VR’s National Employment Team) and works with other state VR agencies and national employers who wish to establish or grow their business partnerships with VR in Alabama.  BRC staff works with business and industry to understand federal contract requirements and respond to OFCCP and 503 recruitment requests.

ADRS will also coordinate with employers in order to facilitate the provision of transition services for students and youth with disabilities. ADRS will also coordinate with employers to provide pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities. ADRS will accomplish this by working with employers to arrange work- based learnings experiences for students with disabilities. These work-based learning experiences will include setting up worksite tours, job shadowing and mentoring opportunities, paid and unpaid internships, and other learning experiences within business and industry sectors. ADRS will also involve employers in informational interviews and other mentoring activities in order to provide instruction in self-advocacy for students receiving pre-employment transition services. Lastly, employers will be used to provide information about in-demand industry sectors and occupations as well as labor market information, which can be used in providing job exploration counseling to students with disabilities receiving pre-employment transition services.