The National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) has released another instructional video titled Navigating VR Services for people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV). This video was created in response to requests from participants in our Increasing Labor Force Participation research project and is a complementary video to Finding Services: A Beginner’s Guide to Visual Impairment.
It provides valuable information on how individuals with B/LV can effectively access vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. This resource also seeks to clarify common misconceptions and provide guidance on how the VR system operates.
Dispelling Myths About VR Services
Many individuals with B/LV are unfamiliar with the full range of services that VR can offer. Adele Crudden, one of the researchers behind the video, shared how many project participants had misunderstood VR policies and practices or were given inaccurate information.
“For example, some believed they were ineligible for services due to living in rural areas with fewer job opportunities, while others were told they couldn’t receive services if they were already employed," Crudden said.
These misconceptions highlight the importance of sharing accurate, updated information about VR services. Crudden adds, "While most participants knew about VR, many were unclear about how to access services or what was available to them. Many didn’t seem to realize that VR would assist with adjusting to blindness and teaching blindness skills to support employment."
By addressing these gaps in understanding, Navigating VR Services aims to provide clarity and accurate information to ensure more people can benefit from the resources available to them. The video also provides practical tips for applying for services and navigating potential challenges, such as rural job markets or concerns about maintaining employment while receiving services.
How This Video Can Help
For individuals with B/LV, this video can serve as a guide to understanding how VR services can help them achieve their employment and career goals. VR offers comprehensive support that includes helping those adjust to vision loss and offering job training and career advancement opportunities. The video also offers useful resources, such as a list of VR agencies by state and transportation services, ensuring that viewers can access the information they need to begin their VR journey.
In addition to being a valuable tool for individuals, Navigating VR Services is an excellent resource for professionals working with people who are blind or have low vision. Practitioners can use this video to guide their clients through the VR system, ensuring they have access to the resources necessary for employment success.
For more information and to watch Navigating VR Services, visit the video’s webpage.
The NRTC focuses on employment outcomes of people with blindness or low vision (B/LV), providing training, technical assistance, and resources for professionals and people with B/LV interested in employment through funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research grant #90RTEM0007. To learn more, visit our About page and the NTAC-BLV website.