• Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

    Office of Vocational Rehabilitation logo

     

    The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is a state agency that helps eligible students with disabilities prepare for training, get, and keep a job. 

    Who should apply to OVR? 

    If you are: 

    • a student who has a physical, emotional, or learning problem AND
    • need help with training, getting and keeping a job, AND
    • you want to work ... then you should apply! 

     

    What can OVR do? 

     OVR will provide diagnostic services, if needed, to determine your eligibility. OVR may provide career counseling, diagnostic medical and vocational evaluations, medical services, vocational training that includes job coaching, job training, certificates, associate or college level-training, and job placement. Other support services are available when you are ready to work. 

      

    What are OVR's responsibilities? 

    OVR understands how disabilities can cause challenges with school and work. OVR will help you: 

    • understand your strengths
    • decide on a job that builds on your strengths
    • by giving you information, choices and support 
    • secure the services you need to prepare for, get and keep a job. 

     

    What are your responsibilities? 

    You are in charge of your rehabilitation program. To make it work, you must talk to OVR honestly about your needs and feelings, help yourself, and work with your OVR counselor. You must be actively involved in setting your goals and work hard to achieve them. You must also keep all appointments and ask questions if you don't understand something. 

     

    How much will this cost? 

    It does not cost you anything to apply for services. Ther is no charge for diagnostic services, vocational evaluation, counseling or job placement assistance. If you are eligible, your counselor will ask you to bring in proof of your income and expenses. Depending upon your income, you may have to contribute to the cost of additional OVR services. 

     

    What about confidentiality? 

    OVR collects personal information about you. This information will be kept confidential and will not be released without written permission from your or your parents. 

     

    I'm interested! Next steps?

    Contact your school's guidance counselor or call the OVR office at 814-871-4551, 1-800-541-0721, or 1-888-217-1710 TTY

     

    Following is a partial list which may be used as a guideline for students who may benefit from OVR services: 

    Allergies (severe) 

    Amputations

    Arthritis

    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

    Back and spinal defects

    Cerebral palsy 

    Diabetes

    Deafness

    Hearing impairments 

    Disfigurements

    Drug/alcohol use/addiction

    Emotional challenges 

    Epilepsy

    Heart disorders

    Learning disabilities

    Lung disorders 

    Multiple sclerosis

    Muscular dystrophy

    Orthopedic defects

    Paraplegia, hemiplegia, quadriplegia

    Speech impairments 

    Stomach/bowel disorders

    Tourette's Syndrome

    Others

     

    *Text content from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Some adaptations made.