Introduction to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program: A RAISE Webinar

This session will provide a basic overview of the services available from the vocational rehabilitation system for people with disabilities. It will cover eligibility, developing the Individualized Plan for Employment, available services, and financial factors to consider.

Ron Hager, Managing Attorney for Education and Employment, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

Ron Hager is a Senior Staff Attorney at the National Disability Rights Network in Washington, DC.  Ron provides training and technical assistance to the P&A/CAP network on special education and assists in overseeing training and technical assistance to CAP. He has specialized in disability law, particularly special education, since 1979, when he started his legal career in Buffalo as a VISTA attorney. After that, he was a Clinical Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School for nine years, supervising the Education Law Clinic. In 1991, Ron moved to Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) where he represented clients in a wide variety of disability-related cases. As part of NLS’s National AT Advocacy Project, Ron also was a frequent author on disability-law-related issues. He was co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on the Rights of People with Disabilities for four years, and was the President of the Board of Directors of Autistic Services, Inc., in Western New York, for 10 years. Ron earned a B.A. in Psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.

Amy Scherer, Senior Staff Attorney for Vocational Rehabilitation

Joining NDRN in December 2009, Amy Scherer provides training and technical assistance to the P&A network on issues related to Vocational Rehabilitation and the Client Assistance Program. She is a member of NDRN’s employment team which focuses on a variety of issues related to helping individuals with disabilities achieve competitive wages and integrated jobs in the community. Prior to arriving at NDRN, Amy worked for seven years at a vocational training facility for individuals with a variety of disabilities in Atlanta, Georgia. She worked primarily with VR clients as both a case manager and as a certified vocational evaluator. Amy earned a B.A. in Psychology from Furman University, an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling/Vocational Evaluation from Auburn University, and a J.D. from the St. Louis University School of Law.

Amy happens to be a wheelchair user which has contributed to her strong interest in the areas of vocational rehabilitation and employment law. She wholeheartedly believes that all people with disabilities are capable of working in the community. The keys are appropriate job matches as well as the effective implementation of reasonable accommodations.

ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!