The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services works with the state's community college system to help Alabama's people with disabilities obtain in-demand credentials and access high-quality jobs.

“People with disabilities remain disproportionately unemployed or underemployed compared to the general population,” said ADRS Commissioner Jane Elizabeth Vardeshaw. “The goal of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program is to support the business community and the individuals we serve by reducing the barriers that sideline qualified candidates.”

“ADRS helps this special population find employment while helping Alabama businesses fill needed vacancies by hiring and retaining highly skilled and motivated employees through the VRS program. It also helps.”

According to ADRS, vocational rehabilitation services provide educational and vocational support to youth and adults with disabilities to help them obtain and maintain employment. It is also the department's largest program.

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Jimmy H. Baker, president of the Alabama Community College System, spoke about the potential for collaboration.

“This is why our university is here: to create opportunities for all Alabamians who have the ability and desire to change the quality of their lives, and to support local efforts to expand Alabama’s workforce participation.” To be the change agents that businesses and communities need,” Baker said.

“We are grateful to work with an organization that understands what it means to provide the best service we can and truly serve our community.”

“We look forward to continued growth in enrollment at our university as a result of eliminating financial barriers for residents who may benefit from our department’s services.”

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In addition to providing financial assistance to eligible VRS participants attending two-year colleges in Alabama, ADRS also helps provide accommodations at colleges to help participants succeed in the classroom.

The ADRS College of Vocational Rehabilitation Services training policy establishes the majority of income-based eligibility requirements for those eligible to participate in the VRS program and access educational services at Alabama's public community and technical colleges through the ADRS. helped reduce.

Services provided by this program include financial assistance such as tuition, fees, and books, as well as supplies for training in an associate degree, technical, certificate, or short-term certification program.

Alabama residents who want to learn more about Alabama services rehabilitation For service, call 1-800-441-7607 or visit us. www.rehabilitation.Alabama Government. TTY users can dial 711 or visit: alabamarelay.com For more information.

Residents interested in learning more about Alabama's community and technical school programs can visit here. www.alabalab.edu Or call us at 1-855-206-2671.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.