The vocational rehabilitation program is a public program administered by a State
VR agency in each State or U.S. territory to help persons with physical or mental
handicaps to become gainfully employed. In some States there is a separate agency
for the blind.
When an individual is being considered for services by a VR agency, an evaluation
of the person's vocational handicap, based on medical and vocational findings, is
made by a rehabilitation counselor to determine eligibility for services. If the individual
is eligible for services, the counselor and the client will work out a plan or program
of rehabilitation.
People who file applications for determinations of disability and blindness under
title II and XVI of the Social Security Act are referred to the appropriate State
VR agency for VR services (see DI 13501.010).