Vocational Rehabilitation at RIC

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) offers a range of vocational rehabilitation services to employers and people with physical disabilities. Services accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) include Employment Services Coordination, Employment Planning Services, Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation, and Community Employment Services. RIC Vocational Rehabilitation Services include:

Initial Vocational Assessments

Comprehensive interviews are conducted to review clients’ pertinent medical, educational and employment information. Individualized vocational rehabilitation service plans are developed with the person to meet their unique needs.

 

Comprehensive Vocational Evaluations

Assessments are made of transferable work skills, achievement level, aptitudes and interests. The results are summarized into reports that outline clients’ employment abilities and placement potential.

Work Trial Assessment (WTA)

RIC's WTA program places clients in work environments which help determine their job skill, work behavior and endurance levels.

 

 

Internship Opportunities

Internship activities provide clients with short-term work experience, a chance to apply their skills in actual business settings, gain experience and develop new competencies.

Job Analyses

Job activities are reviewed to determine whether clients have the skills, aptitudes and temperaments to accomplish tasks involved in particular jobs.

 

Return-to-Work Evaluations

Staff consultations with employers determine whether clients can resume previous or alternative job duties. Job coaching, work-site accessibility evaluations and developing reasonable accommodations may be part of a successful plan.

Job Placements

Every year, RIC job placement specialists successfully assist nearly 90 percent of clients into training or employment. Job seeking skills training, resume preparation, career development and labor market surveys are provided. RIC also offers a weekly Job Club and Internet Job Search class, while Job Coaching and a Job Maintenance Support Group help promote job retention. 

 

Referral Information

To make a referral, please send the referral/physician's order to Dr. Christine Bard at 326 W. Illinois, Chicago, IL 60610. For questions, please call 312-238-6807 or e-mail cbard@ric.org.