If so, you may be able to get trained into a new career through your state's vocational rehabilitation service.

Commonly known as “state rehab” your state's service provides eligible people with various services to help them get back to work. These services can include counseling, medical treatment, psychological treatment, specialized equipment, job placement, post-placement follow up, and other services.

Vocational Rehabilitation

The mission of your state's vocational rehabilitation service is to assist people with disabilities to achieve and maintain meaningful employment.

Application Process

Start by locating your ‘state rehab” website. You can likely find an application right on line. Fill it out and send it in. Then follow up.

Counseling Services

Once you are accepted to the program you will be assigned a counselor. She will help you set a job goal and then work with you to provide the support, assistance and advice you need while working toward your goal.

Medical Treatment

Sometimes you will need medical care and attention before you can return to work. Your counselor will help you decide what medical treatment is needed and who will provide it. Your state may even pay for that treatment.

Psychological Treatment

Sometimes psychological counseling can prepare you for return to work. It's hard for most of us to admit that psychological counseling is needed. With the help of your counselor you can decide if you are a candidate for such services.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology or “AT” is specialized equipment that can help you reach your job goal. Your counselor will make you aware of assistive technology that could help you do your job. State rehab will often buy that equipment for you. If specialized training is needed they will arrange for you to obtain it.

Job Placement

Once you have received the necessary training and any needed assistive technology you are ready to go to work. State rehab will provide you with a job coach and employment services to help you find a job. Sometimes on-the-job training is the answer. State rehab can provide that also.

Follow-Up Services

Once you are back to work State Rehab does not wash its hands of you. No way. It will follow up with you after you are back on the job. Your counselor will want to know that you are functioning as well on the job as you had hoped when you set your job goal.

Other Services

It's hard to imagine the many different needs that can come up. It depends on you and our situation. Such other services may include “interpreters, readers, transportation for job training, licenses and fees, tools, equipment, and other services that may be needed in support of reaching your employment goal.”

Conclusion

If you were injured in an accident and not able to return to your job you should explore the options available through your state's rehabilitation services. They can provide you with training, treatment, equipment and job placement services to help you return to work as a self-sustaining member of society.