The Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps individuals with physical, psychiatric and/or learning disabilities face the challenges of the modern workplace. This may include identifying job goals based on individual interests and aptitudes, providing funds for college and vocational training, assessing work site accommodations, educating an employer about the Americans With Disabilities Act, or assisting an individual returning to work after adjusting to a new disabling condition. Vocational rehabilitation services can often reduce or remove barriers to employment. Priority is given to those individuals who have the most severe disabilities in areas such as communication, mobility, work tolerance and work skills.

To be eligible for VR services from RSA, a person must have a physical or mental impairment that is a substantial impediment to employment; be able to benefit from VR services in terms of employment; and require VR services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain employment. Eligibility is determined through the use of existing information and obtained assessments, which document the existence of a mental or physical disability.

Once eligibility is established, the customer, along with the assigned rehabilitation counselor, will develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The plan identifies the vocational goal and the services that will be provided in order to achieve that goal. To help the population of unemployed persons with disabilities join the workforce, RSA must provide comprehensive rehabilitation services that go way beyond those found in routine job training programs. These services may include: information and referral, assessment services, counseling and guidance, physical restoration, vocational training, maintenance in support of their IPE, job orientation, job search, job placement and job retention services. An IPE is usually completed within 120 days of application.

RSA will assist persons with disabilities to locate employment by developing and maintaining close relationships with local businesses. Furthermore, they assist persons served to become tax paying citizens and to reduce their reliance on entitlement programs.