Vocational Rehabilitation
In 2008, there were 3,205 dialysis patients between the ages of 18-24 years old in the New England States of ME, CT, MA, NH, RI and VT. Out of that number about 24% of patients were working full or part time, about 3.5% of patients were in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and about 2.15% of patients were in school full or part time.
Pursuit of personal rehabilitation goals can enhance a person’s quality of life, sense of purpose, self identity, competence, independence, general health, and energy.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services in New England Area
| State | Number of Dialysis Patients aged 18 –54
(Network List) |
Number of dialysis patients receiving services
from Voc Rehab and other Voc Rehab related Service providers (Public
or Private) |
Number of dialysis patients employed full-time
or part-time |
Number of dialysis patients attending school
full-time or part-time |
Offers dialysis shift starting at 5 PM or later |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT | 1,085 |
17 |
258 |
15 |
9 |
| MA | 1,398 |
41 |
340 |
42 |
30 |
| ME | 235 |
38 |
57 |
3 |
6 |
| NH | 187 |
4 |
48 |
3 |
6 |
| RI | 230 |
9 |
50 |
4 |
3 |
| VT | 70 |
3 |
15 |
2 |
5 |
| Network | 3,205 |
112 |
768 |
69 |
59 |
Source: 2008 Network Annual Report
Agencies in the New England Area
| State | Address* | Phone Number* |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut |
Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services |
Toll Free: (800) 537-2549 Direct: (860) 424-4840 TTY: (860) 424-4839 |
| Maine |
Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services |
Toll Free: (800) 760-1573 Direct: (207) 624-5120 Fax: (207) 287-6249 |
| Massachusettes | Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Commission Charles Carr - Commissioner Fort Point Place Suite 600 27 Wormwood Street Boston, MA 02210-1616 |
Toll Free: (800) 245-6543 Direct: (617) 204-3600 Fax: (617) 727-1354 |
| New Hampshire | New
Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation |
Toll Free: (800) 299-1647 Direct: (603) 271-3471 Fax: (603) 271-7095 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode
Island Office of Rehabilitation Services Steven Brunero (x354) - Administrator 40 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02903 |
Direct: (401) 421-7005 TTY: (401) 421-7016 Fax: (401) 222-3574 |
| Vermont | Vermont
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Diane Dalmasse - Director 103 South Main Street, Weeks 1A Waterbury, VT 05671-2303 |
Toll Free: (866) 879-6757 |
* Unless a separate address or phone number is specified, the general number is for blind individuals, as well.
Vocational Rehabilitation Resources
Below are some resources that can help patients better understand and access information on different vocational rehabilitation services and programs.
Social Security
The Social Security Administration wants patients to understand what Social Security can mean to patients and their families financial future. See www.socialsecurity.gov for more information.
Understanding the Benefits 2010 - This publication explains the basics of the Social Security retirement, disability and survivors insurance programs.
Working While Disabled - Different programs that may help if patients are receiving disability services.
The 2010 Red Book (English) - The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs include a number of employment support provisions commonly referred to as work incentives. The Red book is general reference tool designed to provide a working knowledge of these provisions. The Red Book is written primarily for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve persons with disabilities. Applicants and beneficiaries can use it as a self-help guide. See the Spanish version: 2009 Red Book (en Español)
Social
Security’s 2008 “Blue Book” is the resource to provide
health professionals with an understanding of the disability programs administered
by the Social Security
Administration. It explains how each program works and the kinds of information
a
health professional can furnish to help ensure sound and prompt decisions
on disability claims.
Ticket to Work Program
The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The Ticket Program is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 – legislation designed to remove many of the barriers that previously influenced people’s decisions about going to work because of the concerns over losing health care coverage. The goal of the Ticket Program is to increase opportunities and choices for Social Security disability beneficiaries to obtain employment, vocational rehabilitation (VR), and other support services from public and private providers, employers, and other organizations.
- Beneficiary Fact Sheet on the Ticket to Work Program
- Your Ticket To Work- English and Spanish Versions
- The Ticket To Work Program And Other Work Incentives-English and Spanish
Visit their Recruitment and Outreach website at www.cessi.net/ttw for information about local activities and events. Visit The Worksite at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/oesp/providers.nsf/bystate for a directory of service providers by state.
The Ticket Program is important in accessing vocational rehabilitation, training, and placement services, as well as other services and supports to help reach employment goals.
- To find Educational Networks (EN) in your area go to http://www.yourtickettowork.com/endir
- To find Vocational Rehabilitation Providers in your area go to http://www.yourtickettowork.com/vrdist or call 1-866-968-7842.
See http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/envr.html
and http://www.yourtickettowork.com
for more information.
Life Options
Life Options is a program of research, research-based education, and outreach founded in 1993 to help people live long and live well with kidney disease. A national panel of doctors, researchers, patients, nurses, social workers, dietitians, and ESRD Network directors review all Life Options materials and help guide research. Life Options is specifically targeted for ESRD patients and has a wide variety of resources and tools to address employment, daily living, and education. www.lifeoptions.org
Employment: A Kidney Patients Guide to Working & Paying for Treatment-A brochure developed by Life Options Rehabilitation Program, supported by the End Stage Renal Disease Networks and administered by the MEI Institute. This document can be found on the Network website under Patient Services and Community
Other Helpful Resources
- Disability Info Gov www.disabilityinfo.gov
- Disability Resources www.disabilityresources.org
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) www.eeoc.gov
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) of the US Department of Labor http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu
- The National Kidney Foundation http://www.kidney.org/ has a booklet called Definitely Yes! Going to School, Working and Traveling. It provides helpful tips for kidney patients who are students and lists grants and scholarships available.
- American Kidney Fund www.kidneyfund.org
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