Getting through the school-age years with special needs is not easy. But compared to what comes next, those school years are piece of cake.
A kid is a kid; if her sister goes to one school and she goes to another school, even a special ed school, she can still feel like a normal kid who goes to school each day.
But what happens after graduation?
Many adults with limitations want to have a job and feel productive like everyone else, but the challenges which hold them back can seem insurmountable.
ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation) is a New York State program which helps adults with disabilities access employment, mostly through funding the necessary support.
(For those who need full support at the workplace, there are some great supportive employment programs through OPWDD available in our community – Ask your care manager about them or give us a call at 718-750-1010 for a referral.)
Who is eligible for ACCES-VR?
Any New Yorker who is a) a US citizen, b) over the age of 14, and c) has a disability can apply for ACCES-VR.
One more important thing to know: There is a financial-need component in receiving ACCES-VR services. While some ACCES-VR services are available to everyone regardless of their financial status, others might be based on your family’s income and assets. When you apply, ACCES-VR will calculate eligibility.
Which services does ACCES-VR provide?
If you ask, they will tell you “it’s individualized” — because it is. No two people have the same exact capabilities, challenges, goals, or preferences.
ACCES-VR will only provide a service which is necessary for the specific individual and their employment goal. It’s not a package deal — for each service requested, ACCES-VR will determine whether the individual in question qualifies, and based on that, provide the service.
That being said, bear in mind that as time goes on and the individual’s capabilities or goals change, services which were denied in the past can be requested again.
Here’s a list of services which can potentially be received/funded through ACCES-VR:
The application process
The application should be filled out and submitted either via email, mail, or in person at your local district ACCES-VR office.
It is recommended to go to the district office in person for faster processing.
Along with the application, submit documentation to support eligibility, such as medical records, SSI award letter, IEP, and any assessments.
It can take ACCES-VR anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to process your application, at which point they will assign you a counselor. You will be called down to the district office to have an interview with the counselor. Come with a clear career goal to get the most out of your meeting. If you don’t seem to have specific interests or goals, the counselor will likely tell you to come back to them when you are ready… It’s best to be prepared.
The counselor will help you write up an IPE (individualized Plan of Employment), which will outline your career/continued education goal and which services you will need from ACCES-VR to achieve it. The IPE should include how your disability affects their ability to work, type of job, ability to do the job, and work history.
If the IPE or requested services are not approved, you have the right to appeal the decision. Contact the Client Assistance Program at : 518-432-7861 for assistance with the appeal.
Moshe, an adorable 6-year-old with special needs, was in desperate need of a haircut, but he refused to go to the barber shop. Ezreinu gave his mother information about a sensitive, experienced barber who was able to come down to Moshe’s house to do the haircut. ⬛
Shani’s mother was searching high and low for an appropriate day hab for her, but she wasn’t sure what the best option would be. She called Ezreinu, and received clear information about which options would be the best fit. Shani got in to the day hab which was right for her, and she is looking forward to attending! ⬛
Identifying details have been changed to protect client confidentiality.