• VCU-RRTC-Transition

    RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities

    The VCU-RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities focuses on pre-employment training for younger adolescents, postsecondary and supported college education training for universities that are serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as internships for youth with emotional, learning and behavioral disorders.

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    A young man looking and smiling at the camera in a mail room.
  • VCU-RRTC-IDD

    RRTC on Employment of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

    The VCU-RRTC on Employment of Persons with IDD will conduct multiphase studies that examine the critical variables that have the potential to improve the competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes for individuals with IDD and enhance rehabilitation professionals and other stakeholders' capacity to provide employment opportunities and supports.

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    A young lady with Down Syndrome working on a laptop.
  • VCU-RRTC-EP

    Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employer Practices for Individuals with Disabilities

    The RRTC-EP investigates the most successful business practices which companies utilize to hire and retain workers with disabilities. The project includes four studies, the largest takes place in partnership with Bon Secours Virginia Health System, a long term leader in diversity and hiring of persons with disabilities.

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    Woman in wheelchair in an office.
  • VCU-DRRP

    Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project on Customized Employment

    The VCU-DRRP helps young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, to achieve competitive employment based on the individual's choices, interests and skills. The project's overall objective is to test the effectiveness of customized employment as an intervention to facilitate employment for youth with disabilities.

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    Two people looking at an iPad.
  • VCU-ACE

    VCU Autism Center for Excellence

    VCU-ACE is a university-based technical assistance, professional development, and educational research center for Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Commonwealth of Virginia. VCU-ACE improves services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by promoting the implementation of research-based practices in schools and the community through training, technical assistance, research, and collaboration.

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    Two people looking at an iPad.
  • VCU-CTI

    Center on Transition Innovations

    The Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at Virginia Commonwealth University is a centralized statewide portal for information, resources, demonstration, and research for educators and other stakeholders in the transition of youth with disabilities. CTI provides evidence-based resources and information along with emerging practices in the field. The results of research studies and demonstration projects conducted here in Virginia help us shape the ongoing work of CTI.

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    Two people looking at an iPad.
  • WIPA-NTDC

    Work Incentives Planning & Assistance National Training and Data Center

    The Virginia Commonwealth University National Training and Data Center (NTDC) provides comprehensive training and technical assistance to Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) projects, the Ticket to Work Help Line, and community partners to ensure accurate and timely support for beneficiaries on the road to employment and financial independence.

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    Two people looking at an iPad.
RRTC In The News
18-year-old Project SEARCH Graduate with Autism Joins Staff at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital
Latest news

Upcoming Webcast - March 28

Phillip DeVliegher

Learning Objectives: 1) Learners will identify what the DOBE acronym represents and stand for and 2) Learners will identify three benefits to a small business if they are a DOBE.

Upcoming Webcast - April 11

Ruth Brown

Trauma Responsive Strategies for the Classroom Ruth Brown, Ph.D. we will review some specific strategies that promote resilience and healing, including psychological first aid, trauma-informed behavioral interventions, and Gentle Teaching. We will discuss what these strategies may look like in the classroom and where educators can go for additional training.

Supported & Customized Employment: Side by Side Referral Decision Guide

Supported & Customized Employment: Side by Side Referral Decision Guide

For vocational rehabilitation agencies offering both supported and customized employment approaches to pursuing employment for people with disabilities, there may be questions about which approach is best based on an individual’s circumstances. This new Supported and Customized Employment Side-by-Side Referral Decision Guide can help determine how to choose between these two approaches.

VR Map & Policies

US Map

This map shows the policies and procedures for self-employment services for individuals with disabilities from each state VR.

Self-Employment Policy Paper

Understanding the Provision of Self-Employment For People with Disabilities in the United States

The Center on Self-Employment researched and summarized self-employment policies for the 50 States plus the District of Columbia. In total, 73 State VR Agencies were included in this research: 29 Combined VR Agencies, 22 General VR Agencies, and 22 Blind VR Agencies.

This paper represents the background and impetus behind the policy review, summarizes the findings, and offers initial considerations and recommendations for state VR policymakers. The report identified four key opportunities that VR agencies can pursue to increase equitable access to self-employment services.