Resources

Helpful Links

Abilities United Consulting

With over 48 years of experience working in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) field, and advocating for Americans and American Indians with disabilities, Kathy West-Evans is available through her consulting business, Abilities United Consulting, to provide training and technical assistance to American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) Project Directors and staff in areas such as job development, employer and business relationship building, development of collaborative agreement with State VR agencies, effective representation on State Rehabilitation Councils (SRCs) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and many more areas. Please consider contacting the Abilities United Consulting at kathy@abilitiesunitedconsulting.com

AT3 Center Resource for AIVRS Projects

AIVRTTAC recently began collaborating with the newly funded Assistive Technology Training and Technical Assistance (AT3) Center to build bridges between tribal vocational rehabilitation projects and state Assistive Technology (AT) Act programs. 

The purpose of the AT3 Center is to provide training and technical assistance to state AT Act programs, which offer a variety of services that increase access to assistive technology and help individuals with disabilities lead more independent lives. Their services include device demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, device reutilization (such as repair, refurbishment, and reuse of gently used AT and durable medical equipment), and low-interest loans for AT purchase. AT Act programs are located in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the four territories.

Job Accommodation Network: JAN

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. Serving customers across the United States and around the world for more than 35 years, JAN provides free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities.

National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM)

The NCRTM is the central clearinghouse for vocational rehabilitation (VR) information for individuals with disabilities and offers the VR and education communities an opportunity to contribute new knowledge to their specific fields and gain visibility for their work.

O*NET

The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledges, work activities, and interests associated with occupations. This information can be used to facilitate career exploration, vocational counseling, and a variety of human resources functions, such as developing job orders and position descriptions and aligning training with current workplace needs.

Rural Youth Apprenticeship Toolkit

This Rural Youth Apprenticeship Toolkit (https://www.explorevr.org/toolkits/rural-youth-apprenticeship-toolkit) provides resources to support the development of apprenticeship programs for youth with disabilities in rural areas. It shares strategies to address key challenges, such as transportation, internet access, and employer engagement. The toolkit also includes tools for marketing and outreach, promoting diversity and inclusion, and building partnerships.

Additionally, it highlights the role of vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs. VR agencies play a vital role in developing and supporting apprenticeship programs in rural communities. Their involvement helps ensure that these programs are accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of both local employers and individuals with disabilities.

Section 188 Disability Reference Guide 

The U.S. Department of Labor is pleased to announce its updated guide “Promising Practices in Achieving Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity: A Section 188 Disability Reference Guide.” This new release provides updates to existing Section 188 guidance, offering additional practices, ideas and resources to help American Job Centers (AJCs) better serve people with disabilities.

Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Self-Employment Toolkit

This website is under development by the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC:Rural) in collaboration with a group of Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) advisors. The website is a translation of a previously developed guide for the state and federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs (www.vrselfemployment.org) to improve self-employment opportunities and outcomes for consumers with disabilities.

Strengthening Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) Through Collaboration Webinar.