Services for Employers

Recruiting qualified workers is one of the most challenging tasks facing employers today. For over 75 years, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) has been an employment resource to the business community. Nationally, Vocational Rehabilitation Programs return $12.00 for each dollar invested. View the DePaul Study exploring the Costs and Benefits of Workers with Disabilities

These services are available to you at no cost in order to assist you in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Contact a DVR Statewide Point of Contact for more information.

Internship Program Employment Services Personnel Assistance Staff Development Technical Assistance Financial Incentive

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Internship Program  Top of Page

The DVR Customer Internship Program is a strategy to introduce many DVR customers to the world of work who are well skilled but lack paid experience. It is a learning experience for the customer to apply their talents and abilities in a paid job setting that enables them to demonstrate valuable work skills.

In the DVR Customer Internship Program, a DVR customer is matched with a local host employer in the individual’s chosen career field. Interns generally spend several months in their host employer’s work setting to experience the culture and typical job demands that are expected in the selected field of work. The specific length of time and work setting is agreed upon by the DVR Customer, DVR Counselor, and host employer.

Host employers provide a paid internship for the DVR customer by hiring the individual as a temporary employee. DVR reimburses the employer for all salary and related costs on a monthly basis.

Paid internships haven proven to play an integral role in the recruiting strategies of many employers. Interns often become permanent hires, having been given the opportunity to learn about your organization, while you directly observe and mentor the individual's performance.

• For For more information on Internships
• Employers interested in providing Internship opportunities should contact a DVR Office nearest to your place of employment

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Employment Services  Top of Page

• Pre-screening applicants based on essential job requirements 
• Computerized skill assessment and job match
• Referral of qualified workers
• Job-related training of applicants
• On-the-Job-Training (OJT): an individualized program, designed and conducted at your work site
• On-site job trainer and support services
• Follow-up services

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Personnel Assistance  Top of Page

DVR can assist you in the implementation of The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) by targeting people with disabilities in:

• Recruiting
• Affirmative action planning
• Workforce diversity consultation
• Reasonable accommodation support in Employee Assistance and/or advisory programs

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Staff Development Top of Page

Custom designed training programs for management, staff and co-workers:

• “Perspectives: AIDS in the Workplace”
• “The Americans with Disability Act (ADA)”: technical assistance and resources

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Technical Assistance  Top of Page

• Job/task analysis to determine essential Job requirements
• Job site assessment in Job restructuring/work site adjustment
• Accessibility/barrier removal
• Assistive technology: devices and specialized equipment for workplace accommodation

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Financial Incentives  Top of Page

• Reimbursement for the cost of your on-the-job training expenses
  
• Business Tax Incentives If you own or operate a business, you should be aware of three tax incentives for hiring workers with disabilities:
  
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): You may qualify for a tax credit for a portion of wages that you pay to workers with disabilities referred by DVR in Deduction for Removal of Barriers (IRS Code Section 190): You may deduct expenses for making a facility or vehicle used in your business more accessible to persons with disabilities.
  
• Accessibility Credit (IRS Code Section 44): An eligible small business which pays or incurs expenses for providing access to persons with disabilities is allowed a tax credit.