Vocational Rehabilitation

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Employer Services

Workforce Resources and Solutions for Oregon Business - DHS Vocational Rehabilitation

We are a service for both employers and employees. We provide pre-screened, ready-to-work applicants with a wide range of skills and abilities from around the state. VR Staffing solutions can help you access a variety of work incentive programs that can save your business money.

Services

  • Diversity and inclusion education information and resources
  • Recruit and refer qualified applicants to your business
  • Provide help with accommodation needs
  • Establish long-term business relations and supports
  • Provide Disability Awareness, Etiquette and tailored trainings

New Services Available to Employers

  • Training and technical assistance. We can help your business build your workforce diversity by providing training and technical assistance regarding employment of people with disabilities.
  • Consultation. Consult with you on cost-effective strategies that support the successful inclusion of people with disabilities as employees. This could include providing help with accommodation needs and work incentive programs that can save your business money.
  • Assessments and assistive technology. We can work with your managers and HR with disability awareness training, accommodation assessments and assistive technology.
  • Sponsorships. Sponsorships are available to help you provide work-based learning experiences at your place of business for people with disabilities.

Opportunities include:

  • Internships
  • Apprenticeships
  • Short-term employment opportunities
  • Pre-Employment transition services
  • Supports tailored to your business needs and your current or potential employee with a disability.

Let us help you recruit and hire people with disabilities. Contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation Branch Office for more information.


Meeting the "Asks" of our Employers, providing:

  • Consistency
  • Support
  • Resources
  • Solutions

 

Myths and Facts

MYTH: The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) forces employers to hire unqualified individuals with disabilities.

FACT: Unqualified candidates are not protected under the ADA. To be protected from discrimination in hiring, an individual must first meet all requirements for a job and be able to perform its essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

MYTH: Under the ADA, an employer cannot fire an employee who has a disability.

FACT: Employers can fire workers with disabilities under three conditions:

    1. The termination is unrelated to the disability or
    2. The employee does not meet legitimate requirements for the job, such as performance or ​​production standards, with or without a reasonable accommodation or
    3. Because of the employee's disability, he or she poses a direct threat to health or safety in the workplace. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy)

 

Vision and Values

Every Oregonian with a disability who desires to work is given the opportunity and the means.

Guided by a clear vision and grounded by strong core values, VR is committed to continuing leadership in Oregon providing employment services and solutions to meet the needs of its customers: businesses and people with disabilities.

Contact Us

If your business wants to tap the VR labor pool - or if you simply want more information about our employer services - please contact the Employer Services Unit at 503-945-5880, by email at VR.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us​ or visit a local VR office near you.

 

Employer Resources​

Link
  
Description
Northwest ADA Center
The ADA Center provides information, training and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act to businesses, governments and people with disabilities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
The Business Case
Hiring a qualified person with a disability brings greater benefits beyond just filling an open job. There’s a solid business case, too.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration has a variety of resources and information available to employers on Hiring People with Disabilities.
Think Beyond the Label
Think Beyond the Label is a public-private partnership that delivers information, outreach and resources to businesses, job seekers and the public workforce system to ensure greater recruiting and hiring opportunities for job candidates with disabilities.
Best Practices for Finding Qualified Workers
How can you get started hiring employees with disabilities? Here are some ideas.
Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN)
Resources to help employers recruit, hire, retain and advance individuals with disabilities.
The Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities
A publication of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association.
The ATI Chronicle
A publication of Access Technologies, Inc., a state-wide non-profit organization serving employers and people with disabilities.
Office of Disability Employment Policy
ODEP's mission is to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
U.S. Small Business Administration
As an employer, you can take advantage of various programs that encourage the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities. This will also make you eligible for tax credits that help cover the cost of accommodations for employees with disabilities.

 

Employer Feedback

"Working with the Vocational Rehabilitation program was a great investment in our business. This program has continued to pay dividends by connecting our business with a great employee who has made a true impact."
Cameron Curtis, Owner, Curtis Homes.
"We have worked with Oregon VR for placement and assisting in the training of at least three new employees. VR was very helpful and supporting of both our organization's needs and the new employees' needs."
​Mattison Schilling, Employment Representative, Blount, Inc.​

Employer Success Stories​​

Story
  
Portland business benefits from tax credit, receives great employees
Coco & Toulouse/Claire Renfrow
Oregon Department of Transportation/Hugo Perez
Good Shepherd Medical Center-Hermiston/ Ryan Powell & David Andrews​​​​​​
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