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Adult Programs

Image of people wearing masks at work. Includes construction workers and office workers tapping their elbows or communicating using sign language.

Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind

How to Request Services

Florida VR helps eligible individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind find, get or keep a better job. If you are eligible for VR services, you will meet with a VR counselor with special training in working with people who have hearing loss. Some VR counselors are also fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).
Visit The Steps to Using Vocational Rehabilitation to learn more..

Communicating and Work

VR can help you communicate with job interviews and at work. VR provides accommodations including:

Sign language interpreters
Assistive listening devices (FM Systems)
Real-time captioning
Other adaptive devices

VR also provides trainings to teach your supervisor and co-workers how to best communicate with you.

Deafblind Services

VR and the Division of Blind Services (DBS) work together to help people who have both hearing and vision loss. For those who are Deafblind, both VR and DBS will need to meet with the individual. They will work together to decide who will take the lead in providing services. A person who is Deafblind may receive services from both agencies at the same time.
Learn more about the Division of Blind Services.

Resources

Information for persons who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind:

External Link Disclaimer: As a convenience and for informational purposes only, the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) provides external hyperlinks on its website, directing website users toward certain outside sites; links to these websites do not constitute VR's endorsement or approval of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. All links VR provides are consistent with the mission of its website. However, VR exercises no editorial control over the information website users may find on external websites. VR also cannot attest to the accuracy or appropriateness of information provided by external websites and organizations.

The Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is an equal opportunity employer. It is against the law for VR as a recipient of Federal financial assistance to discriminate against any individual in the United States on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief. The application process used by VR to determine eligibility for services, any subsequent services and the entire VR process are subject to these non-discrimination requirements. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. VR program receives 78.7 percent of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For the 2022 Federal fiscal year, the total amount of grant funds awarded were $176,521,122. The remaining 21.3 percent of the costs ($47,775,094) were funded by Florida State Appropriations. Revised October 2022.