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Order of Selection

Information for Providers and Referral Partners

Due to limited resources beginning on May 19, 2026, the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) began placing people requesting Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services on a waitlist. This page has a list of answers to questions you might have about the new process. We hope these can assist you when working with clients.

Please note that the waitlist only applies to VR services. Independent Living and some limited Youth/Transition services are not affected.

Learn more about the waitlist

FAQ

A: OCB will start putting eligible applicants on a waitlist for VR services and will prioritize those with the most significant disabilities first, according to application date. 

A: OCB will assign applicants who are determined eligible for services to a priority category. Clients at risk of losing a job will be assessed and moved directly into service if eligible. The priority category and date of application will determine how quickly we can serve someone. There are three priority categories: 

  • ​ Priority category 1: People whose vision loss creates a substantial barrier to employment in three or more areas.
    • People in this list will be served in order of who applied first as funding allows.
  • Priority category 2: People whose vision loss creates a substantial barrier to employment in at least one area. 
    • We will begin serving people in this list only after everyone in Priority 1 has been ser​ved.
  • Priority category 3: People who are eligible for VR, but whose vision loss ​does not present any substantial barriers to employment.
    • ​We will begin serving people in this list only after everyone in Priority 1 and 2 has been served.

A: We don’t have a way to predict an individual’s wait time. When funding and resources become available, we will release people from the waitlist according to their priority category, and then according to date of application. People in Priority category 2 or 3 could have longer wait times.​​

A: Let them know that OCB ​encourages everyone interested in VR
servi​ces to apply as soon as possible because their application date is important. We will serve people according to their priority category and application date.

A: OCB is using a waitlist because:
  • More people are seeking VR services.
  • VR has a limited budget.
  • Our funding has not increased to meet the demand for services.
​​ ​Federal law requires us to follow a specific process calle​d Order of Selection to determine who will receive services when there isn’t enough money to serve everyone who is eligible. This process gives priority to people who most need our services.

A: We serve students with vision loss between ages 14 and 21 who are enrolled in high school or post-secondary education via two kinds of cases: Potentially Eligible cases, and full VR cases. Potentially Eligible students can receive basic pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) without needing to go on the waitlist. Students applying for the full array of VR Services​ must get on the waitlist, but they can receive the basic Pre-ETS services while they wait. We encourage students to apply for VR services​ and get on the waitlist if the student and their team believe they will need substantial services in the future.

Visit our Youth Services page​ for more information.

A: You may contact ​​your local OCB office​ for general information about Order of Selection, th​e waitlis​t and VR services.

Man with white cane stands in front of OCB main office.