Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation Services assists eligible SC residents who are blind or low vision with reaching their employment goals. SCCB services are comprehensive, assisting consumers throughout their employment journey, and the skills consumers obtain can help them become socially and economically independent.

Our services are designed for individuals whose blindness or low vision is causing problems obtaining and/or maintaining employment. Each consumer works with a counselor to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) through informed choice based on their capabilities and employment goals.

Are you eligible?

You may qualify for services if you:

  • Have documentation of legal blindness
    • Have a central visual acuity of 20/200 in the better eye even with the best corrective lenses (they see at 20 feet what a person without low vision would see at 200 feet), OR
    • Have a visual field of 20 degrees or less (they see objects within 20 degrees of the direction they are facing while a person without low vision would see objects within 180 degrees).
  • Have documentation of a progressive eye condition that may result in legal blindness within 24 months
  • Want to find, regain, or maintain competitive employment
  • Require VR services to achieve your employment goals and can benefit from the services

Services for employment

Our services are based on your individual needs and designed to help you achieve your Vocational Rehabilitation goal. Services may include:

  • Eligibility and needs assessments
  • Counseling and guidance
  • Career exploration and setting employment goals
  • Developing a plan to reach your employment goals
  • Educational support and assistance with post-secondary education
  • Disability-related training
  • Workplace readiness and job training support
  • Job placement and retention
  • Benefits counseling
  • Information and referrals to community resources
  • Adjustment to Blindness

Vocational Evaluation

The first step in identifying an employment goal is evaluation, a comprehensive process designed to determine an individual’s work capacity, skills, and potential job performance. This may include:

  • Assessments
  • Career exploration
  • Job explorations

Individualized Training

Training helps you prepare for jobs that are suited to your skills and needs. You may receive instruction in:

  • Using Assistive Technology
  • Speech Output Devices
  • Magnification Software
  • Training on the various devices, applications and software are based on your individual needs and employment goals.

Employment Consultants

After completing your training and the career exploration process, you will work with your vocational rehabilitation counselor and an employment consultant, who will assist in the job placement process. Employment consultants create a guided plan for you to achieve your career goals and work with employers to identify jobs that our consumers are able to fill. They are also a resource for employers, providing assistance in accommodating an employee who is blind or low vision. Later on, employment consultants follow up with consumers and their employers to ensure that the placement is successful.