Being Your Best Self

ELEMENTS OF A RETURN TO WORK PLAN:
Vocational Rehabilitation:
Where to Begin?
Vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs can be
helpful to you and your family as you begin the
process of returning to the workforce. These
programs can help you determine where you are,
where you want to go, and how to get there. This
might include services such as:
• Vocational evaluations
• Situational assessments
• Work adjustment services
• Interest testing
• Vocational counseling
• Job analysis
• Identifying job accommodations
VR programs help you get back to work. If you were
working before your injury, it is best to start thinking
about VR sooner rather than later. As you consider
your options, it is also helpful to talk to your social
worker, case manager, and doctor about returning to
work. Here are some other tips to get you started:
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was
signed into law to make American society accessible
to everyone, including people with brain injuries.
Title I of the ADA deals with employment and
requires companies with 15 or more employees to
provide reasonable accommodations to applicants
and employees with disabilities. The law also
prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability
in all aspects of employment. For more information
about the ADA and reasonable accommodations,
visit the Job Accommodation Network website:
http://Ask.JAN.org/links/adalinks.htm#1 or visit
https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/ada.
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