Students with Disabilities Services-Additional Resources


Texas Workforce Commission

Vocational Rehabilitation - Youth & Students

Overview

Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services serves youth and students with disabilities to help prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities. Services are eligibility and need based.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if you:

  • Have a disability which results in substantial barriers to employment

  • Require services to prepare for, obtain, retain or advance in employment

  • Are able to obtain, retain or advance in employment as a result of services

Disabilities Served

Disabilities Other Than Vision-Related Disabilities

  • Behavioral and mental health conditions

  • Hearing impairments, including deafness

  • Alcoholism or drug addiction

  • Intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities

  • Physical disabilities, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, back injury, paralysis and impaired movement

Vision-Related Disabilities

  • Blindness

  • Significant visual impairments

  • Deaf/Blindness

Youth & Student Services

Get help preparing for post-secondary education and employment opportunities through the following individualized services. Services are based on eligibility and your individual need, and are provided in collaboration with the family, high school, community college, or Educational Service Center.

Pre-Employment Transition Services

Receive core services, as needed, to help prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities:

  • Vocational counseling, including counseling in job exploration and post-secondary training opportunities

  • Counseling on opportunities for post-secondary education such as college, vocational schools, etc.

  • Work-based learning experiences, including internships and on-the-job training

  • Training in workplace and employer expectations

  • Training in self-advocacy and social skills

Other Services

Services may be provided to help you achieve your education, training or employment goals, including (as needed):

  • Referrals for hearing, visual and other examinations

  • Assistance with medical appointments and treatment

  • Rehabilitation devices, including hearing aids, wheelchairs, artificial limbs and braces

  • Therapy to address a disability, including occupational or speech therapy and applied behavioral analysis

  • Physical restoration

  • Medical, psychological and vocational assessments

  • Assistive technologies, including screen reader software, computer equipment and other items

  • Job matching and placement services

  • Transportation assistance to and from your job, college or certification program, Referral to other state, federal and community agencies and organizations

  • Rehabilitation Teachers Services to help you learn Braille, orientation & mobility, and home and health management skills if you have a vision-related disability

  • Vocational adjustment training

  • Supported employment services

Online Student Transition Fairs

During 2020-21, Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services is hosting a series of online events designed to assist students with disabilities aged 14-22 in planning their futures through career exploration. The Online Student Transition Fairs will provide students the opportunity to learn and ask questions about careers, hear about post-secondary training and have the chance to interact with employers and gain work experience.

The Online Student Transition Fairs include job fairs, career fairs, transition education events, and other events for students and adults with disabilities using the Easy Virtual Fair platform. This virtual event platform is accessible by both computer and mobile devices, using the Google Chrome web browser.

Visit the event listings below to find an Online Student Transition event near you.

Online Student Transition Fair Calendar of Events

Online Student Transition Fair Resources

Apply for Services

If you are a youth or student with a disability, or a family member of a youth or student with a disability, to learn more about or apply for services:

Application & Service Process

Application process:

  • Contact your Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation Services office or TWC Vocational Rehabilitation Inquiries.

  • Submit an application for services.

  • Receive an eligibility determination from your TWC vocational rehabilitation counselor, usually within 60 days from the date of the application.

If eligible:

  • Complete vocational and other assessments at your counselor’s request.

  • Work with your vocational rehabilitation counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) within 90 days from eligibility which includes your employment goal and approved services.

  • Receive training and services included on the IPE from your counselor or a provider.