Vocational Rehabilitation Services: DEAF ACCESS Washington is accredited as a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). DEAF ACCESS Washington contracts with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services / Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) and Yakima County Office of Community Services (YCOCS) to provide:
Trial Work Experience: Measurements and/or observations in an actual paid employment setting that identifies the clients unique work interest, abilities, work behaviors, interpersonal skills, work barriers and any accommodations that would be necessary to maintain competitive employment.
Job Placement: Placing a client into a paid and integrated employment position as mutually agreed to by the client, the DVR counselor and the CRP.
Intensive Training Services: Individualized “on-the-job” skills training services that enable a Supported Employment client to: Attain job stabilization in the “on-the-job performance with supports, meet the employer's expected level of work productivity, and transition into long-term extended services provided by an entity other than DVR.
Job Retention Services: Direct and indirect individualized training and support services that enable a client to learn the essential job functions of a position and meet their employer's expected level of job performance. Individualized follow-along assistance to the client and the employer to ensure that the client continues to meet the employer's expected levels of job performance and retain their job for ninety (90) calendar days from their date of hire.
Supported Employment: Long-term training and support activities that enable a client jointly enrolled with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Department of Services for the Blind and the Division and the Developmental Disabilities to maintain meaningful gainful employment. These services are managed and funded through Yakima County , Office of Community Services. For clients receiving Social Security Supplemental Income or Disability Income, supported employment can include long-term training and support services funded by the Social Security Administration derived from a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS).
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides employment-related services to individuals with disabilities who want to work but need assistance. These individuals might experience difficulty getting or keeping a job due to a physical, sensory and/or mental disability. A DVR counselor works with each individual to develop a customized plan of services designed to help the individual achieve his or her job goal. DVR services include, but are not limited to the following services, counseling and guidance, medical and psychological, vocational and technical training, rehabilitation technology and devices and job placement and retention.
The Department of Services for the Blind helps people who are blind and visually impaired go to work successfully in all kinds of jobs, earn good wages and benefits, live independently, support their families, pay taxes and contribute to their communities. Their Vocational Rehabilitation / Employment Services program at DSB can provide the support and encouragement it takes for someone who has lost vision to overcome barriers, and gain the self-confidence and skills needed to be successfully employed. They can help whether you have just recently lost your vision and want to stay in your current job, or you have never worked before.
Yakima County through a grant from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services / Division of Developmental Disabilities provides ongoing support services and training for eligible persons with paid jobs in a variety of settings and work sites. These include individual supported employment, group employment, prevocational services, and person to person planning. These services may be individual or group options in the community and/or specialized industry settings.
Interested persons may contact the Division of Vocation Rehabilitation, DVR , the Department of Services for the Blind, DSB , Yakima County Office of Community Services, YCOCS , Department of Services for the Blind or e-mail DEAF ACCESS Washington by using the form on our CONTACT US page.