Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who have a disability, or disabilities, that Impact their ability to secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment.

To apply or be referred for ACCES-VR services you must be:

• An individual with a disability or disabilities;
• At least 14 years old; AND
• Available and willing to actively participate in the vocational rehabilitation process.

ACCES-VR has 15 District Offices and 10 Satellite Offices located across New York State. ACCES-VR’s administration office is located at the New York State Education Department in Albany, NY.

ACCES-VR Orientation Sessions

Completing an orientation session is not required but offers the best way to learn about ACCES-VR services and the vocational rehabilitation process.

To schedule an orientation please contact the District Office located in the county you reside.

ACCES-VR also has three (3) orientation recordings to help you decide if ACCES-VR services may be right for you:

• Overview of ACCES-VR Services: Your Journey to Employment Begins Today
• How to Apply For ACCES-VR Services
• Do You Want A Job That Requires A College Degree?

Applying for ACCES-VR Services and Documenting Eligibility

Please complete the ACCES-VR Application for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, as a fillable PDF* (Electronic Signature is Required). The completed form will then be sent electronically to the office selected on the form.

For an ACCES-VR Application in your preferred language please see below, and complete as a fillable PDF* (Electronic Signature is Required).

• Application for Services in Arabic
• Application for Services in Bengali
• Application for Services in Simplified Chinese
• Application for Services in French
• Application for Services in Haitian-Creole
• Application for Services in Italian
• Application for Services in Korean
• Application for Services in Polish
• Application for Services in Russian
• Application for Services in Spanish
• Application for Services in Yiddish

To download a printable version of the form, please click here.

*Paper copies of these applications can be requested from and submitted to your local district office.

Please complete the ACCES-VR Application for services, as fully as possible. Please provide your:

• Name
• Preferred contact method and information
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Disability(ies)
• Signature and Date on the Application
  
  • * Only signed applications will be accepted.
  • * If you are under the age of 18, or have a legal guardian, they will need to sign the application on your behalf.

  Documentation to Support Eligibility Determination

  When submitting your ACCES-VR Application, please consider attaching copies of the following documents, if you have them, or bring them with you to your initial appointment. These documents may help determine your eligibility for ACCES-VR services. If you cannot provide these documents, ACCES-VR may be able to help with your written consent.

  Documents to Support Disability or Disabilities:

  • Medical Records from your Primary Doctor
  • Social Security Administration Benefits (SSI/SSDI Award Letter)
  • Mental Health or Substance Abuse Treatment Plan
  • Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 Accommodations Plan (504 Plan)

  Note: If this application is a referral, the referring agency, school, or doctor should provide information about your disability, functional limitations, and how this information relates to your employment needs along with your application.

  Authorization to Obtain/Release Information Forms:

  • VR-21 - General Health Impairments and/or Educational Records
  • VR-22 - Alcohol and/or Drug Treatment and Mental Health Treatment

  Note: If you are under the age of 18, or have a legal guardian, they will need to sign the Obtain/Release Information Form on your behalf.

  To download a printable version of these forms in your preferred language, please click here.

  Confidential Health Assessment:

  • VR-26 – Please complete, to the best of your ability, to provide information about how your disability or disabilities impact you and your ability to work.

  Confidentiality

  Requesting and obtaining your personal information requires ACCES-VR to inform you about what personal information is being gathered, how it will be used and to maintain its confidentiality.

  ACCES-VR’s Confidentiality Policy outlines its responsibilities, and the policy can be found at 102.00 Confidentiality Policy.

  Submitting Your Application

  You can submit your application and any eligibility documentation you wish to share, through our Online Submission, Email, or Mail. After your application is received by the local district office, a member of the ACCES-VR team will contact you to review your application, confirm your interest in services, and then begin the eligibility determination process.

  Online Submission: Open the Application for Services VR-04 in your preferred language

  • Application: Fill in all text fields – Some of the text fields are required and need to be completed before you’re allowed to submit the online application.
  • Attaching Supporting Documents/Forms: You will see two attachment buttons that can be used to upload your documents or forms that may be helpful in your eligibility determination. Attaching these documents or forms is not a requirement but providing them as soon as possible may help in facilitating your eligibility determination for services.
  • Application Distribution: When you submit the completed application it will then be directly sent to the local ACCES-VR District associated with the Zip Code provided under the home address.
  • Save, scan, or take a picture of the ACCES-VR application and any other documents or forms that you are sending for ACCES-VR eligibility determination
  • In the Email’s Subject Line: Write your full name and “ACCES-VR Application”
  • Make sure your application has your preferred contact method and information
  • Verify all documents/pictures are attached to the email before sending

  Mail: To the address of your Local District Office

  • District Office Locations may be found at the District Office Locations webpage

  Eligibility Process

  ACCES-VR Eligibility Requirements:

  • Having a disability that impacts your ability to obtain, maintain and advance in a job, and
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Services are required for you to prepare for, obtain, maintain, advance in, or regain employment that is consistent with your strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice.

  Presumed Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants who can provide proof that they currently receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) that is based on a Social Security Administration (SSA) determination of their disability; will be presumed eligible for ACCSE-VR’s services.

  Assessment/Evaluation: In some cases, ACCES-VR may need additional information to be able to determine if you are eligible for services. Should this happen, ACCES-VR will ask you to participate in an assessment or evaluation. ACCES-VR will pay for any needed assessment or evaluation, and this will be at no cost to you.

  What else can I do to get started?

  Career Exploration - At the Career Zone site you can assess your own interests and begin to explore careers that are related to your strengths, skills, interests and abilities.

  Create a Resume - At Job Zone you can find employment resources and begin to create your resume.

  Publications:

  • Introduction to Services
  • What can I do if I disagree with decisions about my case?
  • Client Assistance Program (CAP) Brochure
    • CAP Brochure in Large Print