I interview Andrew J who is with vocational rehabilitation and is a counselor and a specialist for the deaf and hard of hearing. His office is located in Anchorage.
The Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is a combined federal/ state program under the authority of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Its mission is to assist individuals with disabilities over come barriers to employment, independence, and community life. Various services are provided to accomplish each client's individualized goals, including a full array of vocational rehabilitation services, supported employment, and assistive technology. .
Andy primarily serves people who are hard-of-hearing or deaf. He has a caseload of about 80 consumers (clients) and 2/3 of them are deaf or HOH and the other 1/3 are general disability clients.
He graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY in 1999 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW). He did his social work internship working as a social work intern serving people with traumatic brain injury with a private agency that contracted with the Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, which is the same type of state agency that he currently works for. His internship experience has led him to specifically work in vocational rehabilitation as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. "I have always liked working with people and find it very rewarding to help people in making a difference in their lives." .
Specifically, he provides guidance and counseling which is a core service with the agency. He functions as a case manager and refers consumers to the appropriate resources. Guidance and counseling are provided to assist the consumers in achieving their vocational goals as reflected in their Individualized Plan for Employment (IEP). He states that he is fortunate that he has a lot of autonomy and a wonderful supervisor who is supportive and flexible.