Eligibility Requirements
You will be eligible for OVR services if:
You have a disability that is, a physical, mental, or emotional impairment which results in a substantial impediment to employment, and you can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from services provided, and, Vocational Rehabilitation services are required for you to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment.
On-the-Job Training
Many jobs require on-site training. Many people learn a job better and faster when they work in a real job situation. Depending on the job and the time it takes to train a new employee, OVR can reimburse employers for a percentage of the weekly wage for a specified period of time. Both the percentage and the time are negotiable. The employer is responsible for providing the trainer.
Job Coaching is also available for individuals needing intensive on site job training. Individuals needing this service require more extensive training time or assistance than an employer is able to provide. OVR can hire a Job Coach who does the actual skill training rather than the employer. The Coach works alongside the employee until the employee learns the job to the employer's and employee's satisfaction. Job Coaches provide follow-up support to both the employee and the employer.
These training programs enable employers to acquire trained skilled employees capable of satisfying the specific needs of their business. The employee has the added advantage of earning wages while undergoing training.
Tax Incentive Programs that Work
WOTC - The Work Opportunities Tax Credit Program:
This program provides a federal tax credit for up to one year for all private
employers in trades or business who hire employees through OVR. The credit is equal to 25% of the first $6,000 of pay after 120 hours of work, then at 400 hours, the credit jumps to 40%. For more detailed information about this valuable incentive, contact an OVR Employment Representative at the OVR District Office that serves you.
Tax breaks are available for hiring persons with disabilities and for making
improvements to facilities making them accessible to persons with disabilities. Incidentally, many of the accessibility changes make it easier for employees and customers with disabilities to do their job or conduct business. Consider these tax advantages:
Disabled Tax Credit (Title 26, IRS, Section 44)
The Disabled Tax Credit is specifically geared to eligible small business for meeting increased expenses incurred in complying with the ADA. To qualify, a business must have fewer than 30 employees or a gross yearly income of less than $1 million. The allowable amount of tax credit is equal to 50 percent of the expenditures in excess of $250, but not more than $10,250. In other words, the maximum that can be claimed in any tax year under this provision is $5,125.
Eligible expenditures may include removing architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, providing qualified readers, taped texts, interpreters, the myriad of technical assistive devices, and offsetting the purchase or modification of equipment and devices for individuals with disabilities.
Architectural and Transportation Barrier Removal Tax Deduction (Title 26, IRS, Section 190)
Any private business may claim up to $15,000 in deductions per tax year for making its premises or public transportation vehicles more accessible to persons with disabilities or the elderly. Eligible expenditures may include installing ramps, widening doorways, modifying restrooms, or equipping a shuttle van with a lift.
About Job Accommodation and Assistive Technology
OVR Counselors are knowledgeable about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They can provide valuable information regarding essential job functions, reasonable job accommodations, and work-site modifications that will result in greater worker productivity. Should you have a need for work-site modifications, adaptive equipment, or to overcome particular physical barriers, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation can work with you and employers to conduct work-site evaluations to determine the skills and abilities needed to perform a job and the most suitable technology or accessibility options. For more information about OVR Assistive Technology services, visit the OVR Assistive Technology page on this Web site.