Profile: Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Overview | Community Blog

Video

Loading: Video

Video: Focus On Disability

This has not been tagged.

Post to another website

Copy the HTML code below to embed a link to this video, or embed the video to play right on your website.

Player: Link:

We believe that individuals with disabilities are essential to the success of Colorado's workforce.

Message from the Director


"We look forward to this opportunity to share information with you about our mission and our dream of an inclusive society, and we hope to hear your suggestions, your concerns, and your comments. This is an exciting time in the world of Rehabilitation; with changes in technology, in legislation, and in attitudes, we have hopes that together we can meet our goals. So please read, comment, and share this information with others - and thank you for taking the time to visit with us!" –Nancy Smith Director Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Who We Are

The purpose of the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is to assist eligible individuals with disabilities to become productive members of the Colorado workforce and to live independently.

Increased employment and independence for persons with disabilities is good for Colorado. Employment earnings replace the need for government subsidies from a variety of public assistance programs, such as Aid to the Needy Disabled, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSDI), Medicaid and Medicare. The cost of vocational rehabilitation is paid back in increased tax revenues. According to national data, for every dollar spent on vocational rehabilitation services, a consumer earns $11 in increased taxable earnings. DVR believes that when citizens with disabilities participate in society, everyone benefits.

Read DVR's Success Stories

DVR's Structure

DVR conducts its business through nineteen offices located throughout Colorado, each serving individuals with all types of physical and mental disabilities. Consumer services are coordinated, purchased, and/or provided directly by the

Division's staff. Each field office has a supervisor who, in addition to providing leadership and guidance to the staff, takes the lead in developing partnerships with area employers, workforce centers, schools, and other public and private service agencies within the community.

The Role of the Rehabilitation Counselor

Colorado employs approximately 120 extensively trained rehabilitation counselors who work individually with consumers to help them identify goals and implement plans that meet their specific vocational rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation counselors are required to meet stringent standards put forth by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. This requires a Master's level degree, typically in the highly specialized field of rehabilitation counseling.