Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a process of restoring an individual with physical
or mental impairments to the fullest physical, mental, vocational, and economical
usefulness of which the person is capable.
The VR program is administered by a VR agency in each State or U.S. territory to help
individuals with physical or mental impairments 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 State VR agency, a rehabilitation
counselor evaluates the individual's vocational potential, based on medical and vocational
findings, 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.
Individuals who file for disability or blindness benefits under title II and XVI of
the Social Security Act and meet the screening criteria are referred to the appropriate
State VR agency for VR services.