VR Nevada

For families of children with disabilities, the daily routine during the school year has probably changed during the summer. With the school year right around the corner, routines are about to change once again! Check out these tips for transitioning from summer break back to school from the University of Alabama at Birmingham:
https://www.uab.edu/news/health/item/13005-easing-the-back-to-school-transition-for-children-with-disabilities

Easing the back-to-school transition for children with disabilities Tips on how to successfully transition a child with disabilities from summer to fall schedules. 

Our fabulous counselors work with educators and students at public, charter and private schools throughout Nevada to support the transition of students with disabilities from school to work and independent life.

Collaborations between our agency, educational partners, students and families helps boost positive post-school outcomes, including graduating high school, attending postsecondary training or education, gaining paid employment, and living independently. Learn more at https://vrnevada.nv.gov/educators/

People with disabilities have the same goals and aspirations for education, financial outcomes, and independence. Mechelle Merrill, deputy program administrator with Vocational Rehabilitation Nevada, explains how the organization plays a role in helping Nevadans with disabilities get jobs that meet their aptitudes and interests. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVmP5rZWMgI

Mechelle Merrill Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Deputy Administrator of Programs Mechelle Merrill Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Deputy Administrator of Programs talks about how employment is essential for everyone, including those w...

Attention Nevada businesses and staffing/HR professionals:
The U.S. Department of Labor has released a toolkit with strategies and best practices to recruit, hire and retain workers with disabilities in good jobs in construction, manufacturing and clean energy: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/good_jobs/toolkit

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students from around Nevada recently enjoyed a fun and educational summer camp at College of Southern Nevada
The students learned about employment and higher education opportunities; took in a Las Vegas Aces Game; watched the Blue Man Group perform; and visited the Spy Ninjas adventure park. They also heard first-hand what resources and technology are available to them as they prepare to move from school to adulthood.

If you know of a deaf or hard-of-hearing student who’d like to experience summer camp next year, contact Vocational Rehabilitation Nevada at https://vrnevada.org/about-us/

We help students ages 14-22 make the transition from high school to employment or higher education. If you are the parent of a high school student with a disability, contact us about taking advantage of our no-cost services. We will work with you and your child’s school to help your teen identify career interests and develop the skills needed in today’s workforce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm-2NFv9CS0

Transitional Student Video VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) Nevada offers services to students with disabilities. What do I want to do after I graduate high school? What are my options? ...

Project F.O.C.U.S. at UNLV is a career education program that promotes job readiness skills for college-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including young adults with autism. If you know of a young person with autism or an intellectual disability who could benefit from a program to help them transition into a career, get details on how to apply at
https://www.unlv.edu/education/focus

Project F.O.C.U.S. Project F.O.C.U.S. We are 100% Inclusive, 100% Rebels About Project F.O.C.U.S. Project F.O.C.U.S. is a comprehensive post-secondary education program for Southern Nevada's adult college-aged students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, including young adults with autism. The program provid...

As summer begins to wind down, many families are beginning the “back-to-school scramble” to navigate their children’s needs. If your child has a disability, he or she could benefit from adaptive school supplies like the ones listed here:
https://www.ameridisability.com/20-useful-back-to-school-supplies-for-students-with-special-needs/

20 Back-to-School Supplies for Students with Special Needs - AmeriDisability Attention parents of children with special needs... Here are 20 useful back-to-school items for students with disabilities.

Success with the power of teamwork and drive 🌟 Susan lost her hearing as an adult, and came to VR Nevada. Together she and her counselor made a plan to become a Certified Paralegal from ’s online program. While training, Susan learned she was a candidate for cochlear implants to get her hearing back.

Working with Vocational Rehabilitation gave her confidence to find an employer and paralegal career. In 2016 Susan, looking for consistent work and health benefits, she joined Commission on Postsecondary Education (CPE). In 2019, CPE moved over to and of course they were very accommodating to her requests. Last fall Susan applied for, and received a promotion! She feels at home at work, because no one ever feel less than because of her hearing loss.

Susan, we are so proud of you! Congratulations.

If you or someone you know has a disability Vocations Rehabilitation is here for them from training to on the job accommodations https://vrnevada.nv.gov/

🚀 Join the Nevada TRIP Advisory Work Group!

Are you a young Nevadan (ages 10-24) with a disability, or do you support someone who is? We want YOU to help shape the future of seamless transition in our state!

Our Advisory Work Group is on a mission to ensure smooth transitions from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school to adulthood. Share your experiences, thoughts, and ideas to help develop vital resources and services.

Meeting Dates:

🗓️ August 26

🗓️ November 4

🗓️ January 13

🗓️ March 10

🗓️ May 11

⏰ 5:00-6:30pm on Zoom

Scan the QR code for more information and to complete the Nevada TRIP Advisory Work Group Interest Form. For technical assistance filling out this form, contact the Southern Nevada Center for Independent Living in Clark County at 702-889-4216, [email protected] and in all other counties contact the Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living at 775-353-3599, [email protected].

Together, we can make a difference! 🌟

Happy International Youth Day from all of us at VR Nevada! The focus this year is on how young people are developing digital technologies to support access to health services, educational information, government services, money and communications worldwide.

What’s an IEP? For parents of children with disabilities, it’s key to setting your child up for success after high school. Every student with a disability should have an individualized education program. As you’re getting ready for the new school year, make sure your child’s school has created an effective plan for a job, higher education, and/or independent living. Our experts are available to meet with your child’s teacher and counselor to advocate, assist and support your student during this important time. Our services are free to Nevada residents. https://vrnevada.nv.gov/students-parents/

The University of Nevada, Reno offers a two-year college experience program to students with intellectual disabilities. Along with taking college classes with help from support resources, students also work with Vocational Rehabilitation Nevada to create an individual plan for employment. The program helps students prepare for employment and learn about independent living. If you know of a young person with autism or an intellectual disability who could benefit from a program to help them transition into a career, get details on how to apply at https://www.unr.edu/nced/projects/nced-p2i

Project F.O.C.U.S. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a career education program that promotes job readiness skills for college-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including young adults with autism. If you know of a young person with autism or an intellectual disability who could benefit from a program to help them transition into a career, get details on how to apply at
https://www.unlv.edu/education/focus

Project F.O.C.U.S. Project F.O.C.U.S. We are 100% Inclusive, 100% Rebels About Project F.O.C.U.S. Project F.O.C.U.S. is a comprehensive post-secondary education program for Southern Nevada's adult college-aged students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, including young adults with autism. The program provid...

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month. This neurodegenerative disease affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for breathing, eating, and walking. Research into a cure is ongoing.

Several schools in Nevada have “PAES Labs” that allow classrooms to be converted to simulated workplaces, introducing students with disabilities to the idea of having a job after high school. In a fun and creative way, the Practical Assessment Exploration System labs help students explore their interests, learn work skills, and discuss potential careers that suit their individual strengths.

If you are the parent of a middle- or high-school student with a physical or cognitive disability, contact your child’s school to find out if they offer a PAES Lab experience. Students participating are potentially eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation’s free services to guide their transition from high school to part-time or full-time jobs.

Introduction to PAES Watch this video for an introduction to all aspects of the Practical Assessment Exploration System. The PAES Lab is an excellent tool to use for transitionin...

Back-to-school planning for parents of children with disabilities involves more than just buying a backpack and lunchbox! Before they head back to school, consider these tips for making sure the school’s guidance counselor and staff know about your child’s needs:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/back-to-school-tips-to-help-children-with-special-needs-4145702

11 Back-to-School Tips to Help Your Disabled Child Thrive Kids with disabilities need more than a new backpack to ensure a great transition to a new year at school. Here are tips to smooth the path.

The State of Nevada, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation will be conducting town hall meetings to get input from the disability and partner community to inform VR strategic planning for 2024. Please come and share your ideas, comments or concerns.

October 9, 2024 at 6PM and October 16, 2024 at 10AM.
1325 Corporate Blvd. in Reno and 3016 West Charleston Ste 200 in Las Vegas

Zoom link for October 9th is: https://nvdetr-org.zoom.us/j/82480496127?pwd=TVIbOKgf5tGZH6xl8waHUU5CP6CdKo.1

Zoom link for October 16th is: https://nvdetr-org.zoom.us/j/87464505715?pwd=r4DSsSz6yiSMi41cC4gmTiAL3oTU5g.1

Entrepreneurs with disabilities often face unique barriers. Here are funding options listed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to help entrepreneurs with disabilities start, run, and grow their businesses:

Programs and Resources to Help Disabled Entrepreneurs Grants and other resources can be crucial for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Here are six funding sources, programs, and resources for disabled entrepreneurs.

Municipalities across the U.S. are recognizing that people with disabilities represent a robust talent pool. A new partnership of cities and towns is emphasizing inclusive infrastructure jobs, apprenticeships, and mental-health-friendly workplace practices:

Municipal Strategies to Promote Workforce Success for People with Disabilities Across the nation, cities and towns are recognizing that people with disabilities are an important part of the jobs solution. They represent a robust talent pool ready to learn, earn…

On the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act:

We honor the courageous activists who worked so hard to get this historic legislation passed.

We recognize the strength of people with disabilities.

We renew our commitment to moving America closer to the promise of equal opportunity for all Americans.

We are proud partners of Goodwill Industries International! Goodwill offers Student Work Experience, where special education students volunteer weekly at designated stores for two hours, gaining valuable exposure to real work settings. Another initiative is the Community Based Training program which will evaluate participants’ current skills and provide additional training to enhance their employability.

Disability Pride Month: programs for individuals with disabilities at Goodwill Southern Nevada Goodwill of Southern Nevada recognized Disability Pride Month this July by highlighting its programs for individuals with disabilities.

Both DETR Division Administrators, Drazen Elez of Vocational Rehab and Kara Jenkins of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission encourage all Nevadans to join in celebration of America’s 34th anniversary and passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act or the ADA.
“I am proud Nevada is a state that not only enforces the rights of workers with disabilities but also trains on the importance of inclusion in the workplace,” said Jenkins. “Likewise, the path to independence and economic freedom lies with the ability for all workers to seek, obtain and enjoy the benefits of meaningful employment, irrespective of ability. I am proud that VR provides pathways to meaningful employment for our Nevadans with disabilities,” said Elez.

Please join us in celebrating the 34th anniversary of the ADA! Use the following hashtags and tell us your story, Nevada!

This year marks a quarter century since the Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C., in which the Court mandated that people with disabilities be integrated into society rather than isolated or institutionalized.

What is the Olmstead Decision? For more information on community integration, please visit: https://www.ndrn.org/issues/community-integration/

Mattel is adding a more diverse selection of Barbie dolls to its latest collection, and we love to see it!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/mattel-unveils-first-blind-barbie-and-first-black-barbie-with-down-syndrome/ar-BB1quIAH?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=70be2a479648420487b9581e8d3cfa54&ei=17

Vocational Rehabilitation Nevada helps Nevadans with physical, psychiatric, cognitive and sensory disabilities obtain employment, independence and equality. We provide expert help and services—all you need is desire and persistence! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRvzKnER8Ys&t=46s

Nevada businesses that hire people with disabilities qualify for financial incentives, including the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Learn more at https://vrnevada.org/employers/