What kind of rehabilitation do you do?
DOR provides Vocational Rehabilitation Services to Californians
with disabilities who want to work. Our services include
employment counseling training and education, mobility and
transportation aids, job search and placement assistance.
What kind of disabilities do you help with?
We serve people with all types and categories of disability.
What age do you need to be? Do you have programs for children?
Typically, we serve people of working age. We do not have
programs for young children however we do have programs in some
high schools that help seniors transition from school to work or
college.
Do you serve Workers Compensation Clients?
If you become disabled as a result of your job, you will receive
services through California's Workers Compensation system, which
is separate from our department.
The Department of Industrial Relations can assist you with
workers compensation information.
Do I have to live in California to be eligible?
Yes.
Do I have to be a California resident to be eligible?
Residency is not a requirement for eligibility for DOR services
however, many of the kinds of programs and services we use, such
as classes at State Universities, do have a residency
requirements. For ease of access to programs and services, we
suggest consumers to become residents.
Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to be eligible?
You do not need to be a citizen, however, you do need to have a
valid work permit.
I live in another state and am receiving vocational
rehabilitation services. Can I transfer my case to California?
Do you cover any moving costs? Can I open a case in California
before I move?
We do not accept transfers of cases from other states. You need
to be living in California before we can open your case however
if you did have a case opened and active in another state, it
may make the process smoother. We may be able to help you
continue on toward your original employment goal, however you
will need to go through the standard application and assessment
process and will be subject to any waiting list criteria we may
have. It’s a good idea to have copies of your medical records
and any pertinent documentation from your out-of-state case to
help with your assessment. We cannot cover any moving costs.
I am an inmate scheduled for parole in the near future. Can I
apply for services before I am released? Don't you supply tools
for jobs as part of a program for recent parolees?
You will need to wait until you have been paroled before you can
apply for services. Part of the application requires that you be
available for the assessment process. As with any DOR case, you
will need to have a documented disability and the disability is
an impediment to your employment and our services would benefit
you in your search for employment. DOR no longer provides tools
as a specific service for a parolee, however if you are found
eligible and you are in a disability category we are serving,
you may receive rehabilitation services as part of an overall
employment plan described in the
Consumer Information Handbook (in Rich Text Format). Some of
those services may include the purchase of tools.
What is this about a waiting list?
For more information, go to the DOR
Order of Selection Statement.
How do I get services?
You need to become a consumer of DOR in order to receive
services. Also, the services we provide are part of a detailed
rehabilitation plan developed by the consumer and counselor
based on the client's specific needs and employment goals.
How do I apply?
For information on how to apply, go to the
How to Apply for Services Statement.
How long will it take to get a job?
Each case is very individualized, based on a consumer's needs
and goals. Also, there is a waiting list for services. Based on
medical information and other assessments, applicants fall into
one of three categories, most severely disabled, severely
disabled and disabled. Currently, DOR is able to serve the first
two categories. If you are assessed as being in a category we
are serving, you may have little or no wait before receiving
rehabilitation services. If you are in a category we are not
serving, it could be several months. You will periodically
receive notification from DOR with an update on the categories
we are serving and the status of the waiting list.
After you are a consumer, it can take a few weeks to several
months or years depending on the number and level of services
you need to get job ready and find employment.
I need information about my rights under the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
DOR has an
Disability Access unit that provides basic information on
the ADA. Its primary purpose is to give information and training
to State Government agencies. It is not an enforcement entity.
The
U.S. Department of Justice has an excellent web site that
details rights, remedies and enforcement of the ADA.
Do you provide housing? Medical Services? Vans?
DOR only provides vocational rehabilitation services. We do not
provide any housing services.
If you are a consumer, and within your plan for employment it is
determined that you need some special medical service or
transportation to access or participate in vocational
rehabilitation services, then we may provide it.
We do not have a van program for individuals. All transportation
needs are met as part of an overall consumer case plan. Vans are
the most expensive transportation option for consumers. If there
is another, equally reasonable and less expensive method, such
as public transportation or special transit, that is the method
we use.
