Vocational Evaluation Program

Vocational evaluation is a comprehensive, systematic process in which students and staff work together to identify and assess the student’s vocational interests, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes, and functional limitations relative to the student’s preferred rehabilitation goal or employment outcome.

Vocational evaluation is an educational process in which the student obtains greater self and work knowledge. They learn about the functional impact of their disability upon career options and identify barriers to employment. However, they also identify transferable skills, vocational potential, and reasonable accommodations or assistive technology to remove barriers to employment. The evaluation process encourages the individual to become more personally involved in the planning and development of their occupational careers. The acquisition of knowledge regarding themselves and the requirements involved in occupational areas of interest empowers the individual and establishes a greater degree of confidence in career decision-making.

The outcome is a comprehensive vocational evaluation report that is used for further rehabilitation planning towards successful, sustained employment outcomes. This report outlines the services received at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) and the student’s performance during the vocational evaluation process. It identifies the student’s vocational interests, aptitudes, acquired skills, functional limitations, and barriers to employment. The report also recommends services to enhance the student’s ability to fully participate in a rehabilitation program, achieve his / her individual rehabilitation goals, and maximize their employment potential.

Examples of services recommended to enhance rehabilitation potential include: assistive technology / devices; reasonable job accommodations; further physical restoration; academic instruction; work adjustment training; vocational training; independent living skills instruction; mental health services; and supported employment options.

Information and recommendations from the vocational evaluation may be used, as appropriate, by the DRS Rehabilitation Counselor (or other sponsor) and the student in developing the student’s Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) or by school personnel, the student and his / her family in developing the student’s Individual Education Program (IEP).

What is Vocational Evaluation?

A comprehensive, systematic process of identification and assessment involving the individual’s vocational interests, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes, and functional needs relative to employment goals.

Who should participate?

Individuals that want to learn more about their abilities, interests, and potential in relation to the requirements and demands of occupations in today’s world of work.

Why participate in vocational evaluation services?

To gather information, identify interests and abilities, learn about vocational options, establish goals, and develop plans for successful employment outcomes.

A wide range of vocational evaluation services is available to students at WWRC based on individual needs of the student and / or request of the sponsor. For information about these services, please see the Programs and Services section of this page.

A service designed to assist referral sources in determining a student’s current level of readiness to participate in and benefit from a structured vocational rehabilitation service program.

Feasibility interviews may be conducted on an outpatient basis or with students residing on the Short Term Rehabilitation Unit (STRU). Interviews may include separate consultations with other WWRC service delivery programs, as necessary. Based upon available case history information and interview with the student (and family, if appropriate), recommendations are made relative to the individual student’s level of vocational readiness and program needs.

The feasibility interview may recommend additional ancillary services prior to referral for Vocational Evaluation or not recommend participation in the program. The interview may also result in referral for any of the following specific program options.

Average length of service: 1-2 hours

This service generally takes place in the community (i.e. a local DRS office or One-Stop), in a group setting and includes:

• Aptitude assessment;
• Academic achievement testing;
• Interest Inventory assessment;
• Work behavior and social skills assessment;
• Individual interview, career counseling / guidance;
• Career exploration activities (optional)

The Fast Track evaluation service option is a comprehensive vocational assessment that is also available as a program option for residential students at WWRC.

Average length of service: 1-2 days, depending upon the individual student’s needs.

Skills Assessment is designed for students with special needs who are not appropriate for participation in a traditional vocational work activity / sample evaluation due to either severity or combination of challenges involving physical, cognitive, emotional, academic, or other functional barriers. This assessment is intended to identify the individual’s specific functional parameters including vocational strengths, assets, deficits, weaknesses and life skills in order to distinguish specific work tasks toward gainful employment outcomes. This evaluation may also result in an identified need for additional evaluation as described below depending upon the individual’s performance results in this area. It may also be utilized as a type of screening device for the sponsor and the student in identifying appropriate areas for additional exploration. This evaluation may initially utilize commercial work samples as appropriate, though modifications and accommodations may be frequently integrated into the assessment process to assess the individual’s full potential.

Average length of service: 1-3 days

A comprehensive evaluation of academic and vocational skills, interest, and aptitudes which utilizes interviews, observation, psychometrics, administration of WWRC developed work samples / activities, career exploration, vocational guidance and counseling. Utilization of a hands-on, experiential work sample approach provides a unique opportunity for students to explore the world-of-work, to interact with Center-developed work samples / activities, and to acquire knowledge relative to individual vocational interests and abilities. Primary assessment components include:

• Work behavior and social skills;
• Occupational performance skills and abilities;
• Strengths / assets relative to successful employment outcomes;
• Barriers to employment; and
• Assistive technology and accommodation needs.

Vocational evaluators develop a cumulative listing of these assessment findings and recommendations for integration within the final discharge report.

Career information is available through individual counseling and guidance as well as the Discovery and Career Labs which provide information ranging from an introduction to the world-of-work to specific job requirements. Sources of information include: Internet web sites; Career Connect; VA VIEW Career Search & Profile; VA VIEW College Search; OASYS; the Guide to Occupational Exploration (GOE); the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT); The Job Box and The Career Box; informational videotapes and catalogs for four year and community colleges, and a variety of pencil / paper activities.

Average length of service: 10 days, however, will vary from one day to two weeks or longer depending upon individual student and / or sponsor needs. For example, time may vary depending upon interest and abilities of the individual; referral questions; evaluation tools / techniques required; and the extent to which the student desires work activity / sample exploration. Program length may also be affected by the student’s involvement in medical / physical restoration programs involving their rehabilitation program through WWRC.

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