State rehabilitation services, community colleges partner to help disabled Alabamians qualify for in-demand jobs

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services has teamed up with the state’s Community College System to help disabled Alabamians gain in-demand credentials as well as access to quality jobs.

“People with disabilities remain disproportionately unemployed or underemployed in comparison to the general population,” said ADRS Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw. “The goal of the vocational rehabilitation program is to support the business community and the individuals we serve by reducing barriers that keep otherwise qualified candidates on the sideline.”

“ADRS helps people in this special population obtain employment while also helping Alabama businesses fill needed vacancies by hiring and retaining highly skilled and highly motivated employees who come through the VRS program.”

According to the ADRS, the Vocational Rehabilitation Service provides educational and vocational assistance to adolescents and adults with disabilities, assisting them in gaining and maintaining employment. It is also the department’s largest program.

Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, discussed the potential of the collaborative effort.

“This is why our colleges are here – to create opportunity for every Alabama resident who is able and willing to change their quality of life and be the change agents that their local businesses and communities need in order to help grow Alabama’s labor force participation,” said Baker.

“We appreciate collaborating with organizations who know what it means to truly serve our communities together with the best that we can offer.”

“We look forward to continued growth in enrollment at our colleges as a result of eliminating financial barriers for residents who might benefit from the department’s services.”

In addition to financial assistance for qualifying VRS participants attending Alabama’s two-year colleges, ADRS also assists colleges with accommodations to help participants achieve success in the classroom.

The ADRS’ Vocational Rehabilitation Service college training policy has helped to cut the majority of income-based eligibility requirements for those participating in VRS programs and who are eligible through ADRS to access educational services at Alabama’s public community and technical colleges.

The services offered by the program include: financial assistance with tuition, fees, books, and also supplies for training in associate degree programs as well as technical, certificate or short-term certificate programs.

Alabama residents interested in learning more about services through the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services can call 1-800-441-7607 or visit www.rehab.alabama.gov. TTY users can dial 711 or visit alabamarelay.com for more information.

Residents interested in learning more about programs at Alabama’s community and technical colleges can visit www.alabama.edu or call 1-855-206-2671.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.