Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program Overview

Chris Woodfill

Video Transcript

Hello, I’d like to discuss Helen Keller National Center's Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program — HKNC's CVRP.
HKNC’s CVRP provides an employment-focused peer learning-based training experience for DeafBind individuals who are interested in employment in the field and location of their choice. The consumers undergoing the program have the benefit of a transdisciplinary team supporting their employment-related goals. The transdisciplinary team is focused on achieving employment related goals with support from Vocational Services, Independent Living, Adaptive Technology, Orientation and Mobility, Communication, Low Vision, and Audiology Departments. Consumers in the CVRP work collaboratively with the transdisciplinary team to design and develop their evaluation and training program. Based on their skills, abilities, preferences, and aspirations in an adult learning environment. In our adult learning environment self-advocacy, informed choice, and person-centered planning are the guiding principles of the Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Instruction is provided in one-on-one classes with direct communication access that may not always be available in the home community program. There are group classes and activities that promote peer learning opportunities with a diverse members of the deaf blind community. The diversity of the DeafBlind community includes all ranges of combined vision and hearing loss, language, culture, life experience, and more. As far as vision loss goes, some identify as close vision, have reduced visual fields, or are completely blind. We have individuals that identify as hard of hearing, while others identify as being deaf. We work with those who use ASL, Tactile ASL, or those who choose to use their own speech. There are individuals who are culturally deaf and some are culturally more hearing. These peer groups also include people of all ages. There are those who are much younger and a bit more green, and those who bring a wealth of experience with them. These groups are wonderful way for members of the DeafBlind community to share and learn from one another. During the CVRP evaluation and training, the consumers develop a ‘transition-to-home’ plan with the HKNC transdisciplinary team and the home team. The home team may include the HKNC regional representative, a DeafBlind specialist, the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and a job developer, or job coach. Both the HKNC transdisciplinary team and the home team work together to ensure the transition home is a success with a successful employment outcome, based on the consumers preference, along with community and housing supports. [End of Transcript]