Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Any individual with a physical, mental, cognitive, or other form of disability who has a substantial impediment to employment may qualify for the following services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS).
The mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is to enable eligible individuals with disabilities to achieve an employment outcome consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities, and capabilities.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) at The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVRS) help people with disabilities find jobs. Counselors connect people to resources and community agencies. The type of work is decided by the VRC and the person living with a disability and based off of strengths and abilities.
Job Placement & Supported Employment
Additional DVRS Services Include, but are not limited to:
- Career Counseling
- Evaluations & Restorations
- Pre-Employment Transition Services
- Out-of-School Youth Employment
- Financial Assessment & Planning
- Benefits Counseling
- Work Related Accommodations & Assistive Technology
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
- Bilingual Services
- Project SEARCH
If you live with a visual impairment you may be able to receive services from- CBVI (Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired)
New Jersey’s One-Stop Career Centers offer the most services and provide the most direction for jobseekers. They are staffed with qualified employment counselors to provide guidance for jobseekers. Other services offered at these locations include:
One-Stop Career Centers are available to anyone who is looking for work. They have resources and staff who can help any community member with:
- job search assistance
- training and education assistance
- specialized services
- on-site resource rooms (PCs, telephones, etc.)
In January 2022, the State of New Jersey adopted legislation to develop and implement the “State as a Model Employer of People with Disabilities” (SAME) program. As New Jersey’s largest employer, the State should promote awareness of persons with disabilities as a valued employee resource, as well as work to attract, engage and retain persons with disabilities in the State workforce.
The goal of the SAME program is to increase the number of persons with disabilities in State government from 1.38% to at least 7% based on the goal established by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
The State of New Jersey has a “fast-track” for those living with significant disabilities applying for State jobs called State as A Model Employer or SAME.
AN helps employers recognize the valuable contributions that qualified workers with disabilities add to the workforce by providing accommodation solutions, trusted strategies, and practical guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Job accommodations play a vital role in creating inclusive workplaces, advancing the goals of the ADA, and increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Visit the Job Accommodation Network website to learn about job accommodations for specific disabilities and more.
There are a lot of rules and regulations that govern the hiring process in Federal agencies. Most of the time, an individual must go through a competitive process which is open to all applicants. Selectees through this process are hired into the “Competitive Service”.
The Schedule A Hiring Authority for people with disabilities (Schedule A) is an exception to the traditional hiring process. Schedule A streamlines the hiring process for persons with disabilities and, in some instances, hiring officials may select solely from a list of qualified Schedule A applicants.
Visit this link to learn how people with disabilities can apply for Federal Government jobs.