Press Room

What Influencers & Consumers Have Said About:

The Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Senators
“The State/Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR) administered by the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation provides Utah citizens with disabilities opportunities for meaningful employment and increased independence. Federal statistical reports indicate that Utah's VR Program is one of the most productive and cost effective in the nation. A recently completed national longitudinal study, in which Utah was a participant, provided evidence that vocational rehabilitation has a substantial long term impact on people with disabilities and the economy. The report stated that there is a significantly high rate of job retention, increase in earnings and increased availability of health benefits over time for those obtaining employment through vocational rehabilitation.

Three independent consumer satisfaction studies conducted over the past six years indicate an overall satisfaction rate of 90% with the services, agency and staff of Utah's VR Program.

I am proud to represent a state where the agency is responding so well to the needs of its consumers by providing quality services which promote employment opportunities and self sufficiency.”

- Orrin Hatch, Senator
Utah

"The work done by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission improves the quality of life for every citizen of our state, not just those who have disabilities. It's good fiscal policy for our government, it helps lessen the stigma of disability in our society, and assists people with disabilities in their pursuit of independence."

- Edward M. Kennedy, Senator
Massachusetts

House of Representatives

“The Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program has already put more than 13 million people back to work. It’s the most successful job training program in the world for the disabled. It offers a broad spectrum of services that are individually tailored to meet the needs of the disabled, and it’s a great success story in and of itself.”

- Pete Geron, Former Congressman
Texas

“For every $1.00 invested in the current programs, it generates $18.00 in the form of reduced disability payments and taxes paid by these participants who obtain employment. The earnings of persons with disabilities who participate in the program are four times greater than those who did not.”

- Gene Green, Congressman
Texas

“I’m here defending the people, who have said to me time and time again, one of the most wonderful services that they have found available in their states currently are the services under the vocational rehabilitation programs.”

- Patsy Mink, Congresswoman
Hawaii

“Vocational rehabilitation is one of the most important mechanisms in America successfully administered and applied, for assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining primarily three things: productive employment, to live independently, and to thrive in mainstream society.”

- Pat Williams, Former Congressman
Montana

“This is a program that works to provide people with disabilities an opportunity to grow to their full human potential.”

- Joseph Kennedy, Former Congressman
Massachusetts

Governors

“On behalf of the State of Connecticut, it is my privilege to extend greetings to the dedicated staff members of the agency who have put forth such a fine collaborative effort to increase employment opportunity for

Connecticut's citizens who are legally blind. It is my understanding that your Vocational Rehabilitation program has just completed its most successful year in the agency's long and proud history, far surpassing all past accomplishments in this area.”

- John G. Rowland, Governor
Connecticut

"The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department is an example to taxpayers of how state government can and does work efficiently, an example of working with people to make a difference in their lives."

- Jim Hodges, Governor
South Carolina

“Our state's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is making a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of North Carolinians. As someone whose family has personal experience with disability, I know that by assisting our citizens with gaining employment and independence, vocational rehabilitation helps

them achieve their fullest involvement in the life of their communities and their state.”

- Michael F. Easley, Governor
North Carolina

"As Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it gives me great pleasure to be a part of the team working to implement the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation's (OVR) program for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. I'm pleased to welcome OVR as a partner in making the Commonwealth more responsible and accountable to the people we serve."

- Tom Ridge, Former Governor
Pennsylvania

"I have had the opportunity to work with the Montana Vocational Rehabilitation Program as Lieutenant Governor and now as Governor. I have also spent time meeting with the State Vocational Rehabilitation Council. The program's mission, ‘Promoting Work and Independence for Montanans with Disabilities’, fits perfectly with our economic development strategy.

I have great regard for the program. They assist people with disabilities to become employed and self sufficient, and they do it well."

- Judy Martz, Governor
Montana

"Today, I got this beautiful tour. And I walked into places where individuals were doing things that I thought were enormously powerful. And those individuals are blind individuals. But they were running a saw, they were running the drill press, they were baking, they were doing a lot of very, very exciting things. I learned a lot today. I probably learned a great deal about that notion that part of our role is to create that climate that allows individuals to achieve their maximum potential. That’s what I found exciting about the tour that I just had, is individuals were doing things that allowed them to achieve their highest potential, and I think that’s very exciting."

- Mike Johanns, Governor
Nebraska

"During the past two federal fiscal years, the Department of Rehabilitation Services' divisions of Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services increased the number of clients going to work by 47%, assisting 6,460 Oklahomans in achieving their career goals. Because of the work of this agency, Oklahoma is at the forefront of new federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Invest Act legislation which will enable more Oklahomans who are receiving Social Security disability benefits to return to work."

- Mary Fallin, Lt. Governor
Oklahoma

Partners

"OVR strives unceasingly to be customer driven, to offer choices, to improve the quality of services it provides, to be accountable to taxpayers in meeting its community and

social responsibilities, and to provide equitable treatment for all persons with disabilities. Each day, OVR's staff works to empower its customers, including those with the most severe disabilities, to help them achieve independence in the labor market and in the community."

- Johnny J. Butler, Secretary
PA Department of Labor & Industry

"The work OVR does in meeting the needs and concerns of individuals with disabilities is truly rewarding. At the end of the day we can look back on the jobs we've done and know we've made a difference in the lives of our customers."

- Mike Acker, Deputy Executive Secretary
PA Department of Labor & Industry

"Illinois Vocational Rehabilitation Program has been a key ingredient to the success of the workforce development system. The Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) has gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the needs of persons with disabilities are served through our network of One-Stop Career Centers. ORS is to be commended for its commitment to developing a true partnership that means so much to so many people.”

- Dr. Hazel Loucks, Deputy Governor
Education and Workforce
Illinois

"Through programs such as rehabilitation, independent living, and adjudication services, New Mexico’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation improves lives, taps the full potential of its clients, and creates a better society. Education is central to this process. The DVR and the Department of Education are partners in education and in client services."

- Michael Davis, State Superintendent
Public Instruction
New Mexico

“The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), has made a significant economic impact on our State by enabling people with disabilities to become tax-paying employees, but, more importantly, ADRS has enhanced the lives of these individuals with dignity, independence, and inclusion. In 1966, I was an ADRS client with a severe disability; today I am Executive Director of the Governor’s Office on Disability and no one notices my disability.”

- Barbara Futral Crozier, Executive Director
Governor’s Office on Disability
Alabama

"The Kentucky Department for the Blind has aggressively pursued meaningful employment opportunities for people who are visually impaired. From obtaining significant military contracts to developing public-private partnerships, the department has excelled in innovations for customers. The department's contributions have truly made Kentucky a better place, not only for the individuals involved, but for all of us."

- Allen D. Rose, Secretary
Cabinet for Workforce Development
Kentucky

Employers

"DVR has done a superb job of providing training to our supervisors and employees regarding the employment of individuals with disabilities."

- Bryan Bennett
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Colorado

"When we list positions with DVR, we consistently receive high quality referrals who are ready and eager to work."

- Sharon Walker
Hire Potential, Inc.
Colorado

“The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) is a strong and active partner for SunTrust Bank. Without the support and knowledge of DRS, SunTrust would not have achieved the levels of success and recognition for hiring individuals with disabilities. SunTrust, as the corporate sponsor of the Virginia Business Leadership Network, relies heavily on DRS to meet business needs including training, sensitivity awareness, job profiling, job accommodation, and job coaching. DRS also provides an excellent database of qualified applicants-both to SunTrust and the BLN members across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Virginia and SunTrust are extremely fortunate that the VA DRS is structured to meet the needs of both employers seeking to hiring individuals and individuals with disabilities seeking employment.”

- Katherine McCary, Vice President
Accessing Community Talent, SunTrust Bank Mid-Atlantic

“The Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services has been an excellent resource for our firm—helping us find qualified, enthusiastic candidates to fill positions in administrative operations. I encourage other companies to take advantage of their placement services.”

- Ralph W. Shrader, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Booz, Allen & Hamilton

"The Division of Blind Services has been very helpful in answering questions and providing adaptive aids such as computer software at no cost to our company. They have continue to provide follow up visits to check on our employee and her progress. I have been satisfied with all aspects of the Division of Blind Services."

- Jack Gartner, Owner
The Gartner Group, Inc.

"The vocational rehabilitation training and support that the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind gave to one of our senior managers - combined with the awareness and education that they extended to our team at Fidelity - enabled a confident and independent professional to return to work. The partnership that developed between ourselves and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind opened the corporation's eyes to the potential of other blind individuals as value-added employees."

- Beth Webster, Executive Vice President
Fidelity Investments

"Businesses that want to stay competitive need qualified, job-ready employees and a diverse workforce. It pays to consider job applicants from the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services. They are likely to be motivated, recently trained, pre-screened and even eligible for certain tax credits."

- Robyn Mingle, Director of Human Resources
Black & Decker US Inc.

"I had not thought about my company hiring people with visual impairments, but working with the Department for the Blind has been an asset to us. I would encourage other employers to work with the Department for the Blind because this has been a very positive experience for us."

- Tommy Page, Auburn Hosiery Mills
Kentucky

"Maine's Bureau of Rehabilitation Services has been an excellent partner to Envisionet in meeting our recruiting goals. Staff support and dedication to learning about our company's organizational needs enabled them to refer appropriate candidates and were key contributors in Envisionet being named "Employer of the Year" for 2000 by the Maine Rehabilitation Association."

- Kris Deveau,
Director HR Infrastructure, Envisionet
Maine

Consumers

"The Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program in Rhode Island reached out to me at a time when I had no direction. I had just recently become disabled and my emotions were overwhelming. The VR staff and programs provided the support I needed to go forward."

- Janice A. Belasco,
Consumer/State Rehabilitation Council Member
Rhode Island

"I am grateful for the services provided by the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation. I think the helpful part was that they evaluated my whole situation and helped figure out what they could do to help me. When someone like me, who never dreamed of or saw anyone in this situation...you just don't know where to go. They pointed me in the right direction."

- Barry Mason, Former VR Client/Owner
Nelson Auto Sales
West Virginia

“I was injured while at work and the final result is that I was unable to obtain another job. My counselor heard about a position in which I could work out of my home doing medical transcribing, and the vocational rehabilitation agency agreed to purchase the necessary equipment. With that assistance, I finally found employment.”

- R.C., Consumer

“I have been a client of VR and working with an independent living center for the past 30 months, and as of May, I will be starting a new position as a field service engineer. I am writing this letter to thank VR for giving me the opportunity to work within your program which has given me the guidance and foundation necessary to start my career and life off in a positive direction.”

- C.F., Consumer

“I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Vocational Rehabilitation. I have been receiving vocational rehabilitation services since I had a brain injury over four years ago due to an automobile accident. It is my belief that a brain injured survivor should work closely with the VR programs to improve the survivor’s life by getting them back into the working world.”

- G.D., Consumer

“I thank VR for considering my request to provide a lift for my van. I was named ADA coordinator by a vote of the Board of Selectmen. The van will allow me to get to different buildings in town. While I am out practicing law, I will also need the van to reach my clients and the courthouses frequently. I feel that a dependable van with lift is essential to my successful employment.”

- D.H., Consumer

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