Vocational Evaluation: The Key to Successful Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) establishes a clear standard for vocational rehabilitation programs: the successful placement of individuals with disabilities in quality jobs that offer benefits. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) has reinforced this mandate through its monitoring of state vocational rehabilitation programs, emphasizing increased college and technical training, as well as high-quality job placements through supported and customized employment. The challenge remains: what is the most effective way to achieve this goal?

While understanding the highest-paying jobs in the local market is important, it’s equally essential to consider the interests and potential abilities of the individuals we serve. The key lies in matching these two factors effectively to achieve the desired outcomes. In my experience, the best solution is to work with skilled vocational evaluation specialists who not only understand the job market but also know how to discover and nurture the interests and talents of the consumer.

Selecting Qualified Vocational Evaluation Practitioners

How do we identify a qualified vocational evaluation specialist? One straightforward approach is to focus on credentials. Two primary credentials are available for vocational evaluation specialists. The Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE) has been the gold standard since the 1970s. Though there was a period when new candidates were not being certified, this credential is currently administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), which is accepting new candidates. I have personally been certified by this body since 1987. More recently, the International Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (ICVE) credential was introduced, initially by the College of Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals (CVRP) in Canada, to fill the gap when CRCC was not certifying candidates for CVE. Both certifications require specific training, coursework, supervised experience, and the successful completion of an exam. A CVE or ICVE holder can be expected to possess in-depth knowledge and experience in vocational assessment and evaluation, equipping them to provide valuable insights for creating successful Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE).

Additionally, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) with specialized training in vocational evaluation and supervised experience can also be a strong choice. In the private sector, the American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE) offers two levels of credentialing for vocational experts: Fellow and Diplomate.

Vocational Assessment vs. Vocational Evaluation

There is an important distinction between vocational assessment and vocational evaluation, and understanding this difference is crucial for effective service. Vocational assessment is often confined to psychometric testing – paper-and-pencil or computer-assisted assessments. In contrast, vocational evaluation goes a step further by incorporating “real or simulated work” as part of the assessment process. This distinction matters because not everyone performs well on traditional tests, which can sometimes result in an inaccurate assessment of their potential. Factors like disability, limited reading skills, English as a second language, or even test anxiety can affect performance. By integrating real or simulated work scenarios, the individual has a chance to demonstrate their abilities and interests through hands-on experiences.

Vocational evaluation can include situational assessments in real work environments, job trials, commercial work samples, or even custom-designed work samples created by skilled vocational evaluators. When a rehabilitation counselor refers an individual for vocational evaluation, they must consider the consumer’s unique needs. While traditional vocational assessment works for many, individuals with more complex needs will benefit from a comprehensive vocational evaluation.

Essential Tools for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Mike Ahlers, a former director of Vocational Evaluation in Kansas and a respected mentor, once told me that the three most important tools for any vocational evaluator are 1) Interest assessment, 2) Interest assessment, and 3) Interest assessment. I wholeheartedly agree. Understanding what the consumer wants is foundational to success. Too often, individuals have limited knowledge of the labor market, career options, or job opportunities in their area. They may hold rigid beliefs about what they can or cannot do. Interest assessments help broaden their horizons by exposing them to new career possibilities they may not have considered.

Interest assessments should be conducted using multiple instruments to gain a comprehensive view of the consumer’s preferences. A combination of assessments helps build a clearer picture of potential career paths. Additionally, vocational evaluators must be equipped with tools that can assess a wide range of reading levels. At a minimum, tools should be available for individuals who cannot read (picture based), for those with low literacy, average literacy, and Spanish-speaking consumers. If possible, evaluators should also have access to assessments for individuals with advanced reading levels (such as college-level skills).

Some state vocational rehabilitation agencies operate their own vocational evaluation facilities, while others contract with private vocational evaluators. Regardless of the model, it’s vital that evaluators have access to a broad range of tools. At a minimum, they should offer assessments for reading, achievement, aptitude, intellectual functioning, work values, and motor coordination, as well as a variety of work samples and dexterity tests. While not every consumer needs all of these tools, individuals with more complicated needs will require access to a wider selection. Skilled evaluators should also be adept at incorporating past education and work experience into the evaluation process. Transferable skills should be incorporated into the evaluation process when available.

Computer-based assessments are increasingly common and can speed up the evaluation process. However, they are not universally applicable. Evaluators must consider factors such as test anxiety, computer proficiency, and reading levels before relying on computer-based tools. When appropriate, these tools can be a valuable resource.

Levels of Assessment

Most evaluators agree that vocational assessment can be broken down into three levels. When making a referral for vocational evaluation, it’s essential that vocational rehabilitation counselors provide clear details on the level of assessment they are seeking. The 30th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues: A New Paradigm for Vocational Evaluation – Empowering the VR Consumer Through Vocational Information outlines these levels:

  • Level I: Screening or making quick decisions about specific traits of the individual.
  • Level II: Diagnostic, with some aspects of prognosis based on the individual’s current functioning and past performance.
  • Level III: Diagnostic in nature, focused on the person’s vocational assets, areas for improvement, and suggestions for possible placements and career goals.

All three levels of assessment should also address essential accommodations to ensure a successful job placement.

Conclusion

I have had the privilege of working as a vocational evaluation specialist, a professor of vocational evaluation, and an agency director. Whether leading an agency with its own evaluators or contracting with external professionals, my experiences have shown me that quality vocational assessment and evaluation significantly improve the likelihood of success for the individuals we serve. Proper assessment leads to better career matches, increased satisfaction, and greater job retention.

Historically, state vocational rehabilitation agencies have seen more unsuccessful Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) than successful ones, and many consumers return for additional services after their initial placements. These trends can be mitigated with comprehensive vocational evaluation and assessment. Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluation specialists are not just service providers; they are key partners in improving outcomes for people with disabilities. By working together, we can ensure better job matches and longer-term success.

(final edit with the assistance of ChatGPT)