Vocational Rehabilitation Community Engagement

 Fall 2026 Community Conversations

What helps people with disabilities find and keep good jobs? We want to hear your ideas. This fall, we’re hosting community conversations as part of our statewide needs assessment.

We want to know:

• What helps or makes it harder for people with disabilities to work?
• What is working well?
• What services or supports are missing?
• What could be better?
  
• You do not need to use VR services to join the conversation.

We want to hear from many different people, including:

• People with disabilities
• Families and caregivers
• People who use or have used Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services
• Advocates
• Schools
  
• Service providers
• Community groups

Please note: Community conversations are voluntary. VR Counselors will not be present.

To request accommodations or language services: 

We want these conversations to be accessible and welcoming. 

Please contact Stephanie Stephens at least 5 business days before the meeting at stephanie.d.stephens@odhs.oregon.gov.

Previous community meetings

VR hosts community meetings to share program updates and get feedback from on a variety of topics. Meetings are open to the public and include live captioning and ASL.

• March 19, 2026 Presentation and budget planning feedback form
  
• Feb. 18, 2026 Presentation: State Plan update
• April 1, 2025 Presentation: Community meeting about VR waitlist for services
• Nov. 7, 2024 Meeting Summary: Reviewing the VR 2025-27 budget priorities
  

Rules Advisory Committee

We are looking for new members!

The Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) advises VR on how its rules affect people with disabilities who want to seek or maintain employment or advance in their careers. The committee typically meets monthly for about an hour to review proposed changes to the administrative rules that govern VR.

Visit the VR Rules page for details

State Rehabilitation Council

The Oregon State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is a partner to VR. The council listens to VR participants about their VR experience and works with VR to improve employment services.

Client listening sessions

The SRC hosts quarterly listening sessions for clients and their families and advocates to share their experiences about working with VR. This feedback helps the SRC make program recommendations to VR leadership. The SRC does not share names or contact information of meeting participants unless the participant requests it.

Listening session information

Quarterly SRC meetings

The council meets quarterly. Anyone can attend to listen, share public comments or both.