VRP3 works in partnership with the Rehabilitation Services Commission and the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) to help eligible individuals with disabilities get and keep a job. Locally, Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired and Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired are partnering together to provide vocational guidance and consultation to transition-aged students, aged 14 - 22, who are blind or visually impaired in the following Ohio counties: Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren.
What do we do?
We provide vocational guidance, consultation, and coordinate services to fit an individual's unique abilities, strengths, limitations and circumstances in order to successfully transition out of high school and into the next phase of life that will eventually result in employment.
Who do we serve?
- Eligible students with a visual impairment between the ages of 14 - 22.
- Eligible students in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Waren counties who are blind or visually impaired.
How is eligibility determined?
- You must have a physical or mental disability which constitutes or results in a substantial barrier to employment.
- You must be able to benefit from services in terms of an employment outcome.
- You must require Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services to prepare for, retain or regain employment.
How can you apply for services?
Anyone can make a referral. You can refer yourself, you may be referred by school personnel or by another agency with whom you are working. A referral can be made in writing, over the telephone, in person, or by filling out the application form and faxing it to a secure number.
Documents needed at the time of applications:
-
Health assessment
- Background information
- Medical, psychological and any specialty evaluations such as vocational and mobility evaluations. Provide evidence of diagnosis and functional limitations.
- Current Individual Education Plan (IEP)
- Evaluation Team Report (ETR)
- Summary of Performance (SOP)
- Results of age-appropriate transition assessment
- 504 education plan
- School transcripts
- Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) results
- Individualized academic career plan
- Copy of SSI/SSDI award letter or verification status, if appropriate
If you know of a person between the ages of 14 - 22 that has a visual impairment, including those with additional disabilities, that would benefit from VRP3/Transition Services, please contact:
Debra Simmons, VRP3 coordinator, at 513.728.6246 or dsimmons@clovernook.org
Adrianne Ongolea, VRP3 contact, at 513.487.4533 or aongolea@cincyblind.org
Ohio Transition Collaborative partnering agencies:
Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Goodwill Easter Seals of Miami Valley
Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired
Ohio State School for the Blind
OSU's Nisonger Center
Sight Center of Northwest Ohio
Vision and Vocational Services