Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - Florida

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.

About Us

In 1920, the first public rehabilitation program providing training, prosthetics, and placement services for persons with disabilities began with the passing of the Smith-Fess Act.

Since that time, there have been many laws enacted to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.

The ADA has made a tremendous impact on American life and culture and is an important civil rights act designed to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same freedoms as everyone else. Additionally, the 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ensure consumer choice in career opportunities.

The latest amendments are incorporated in Public Law 113-108, enacted on July 22, 2014, as Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA is designed to give job seekers easier access to employment, education, training, and support services needed to succeed in the labor market, and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

Mission Statement

To help people with disabilities find and maintain employment and enhance their independence.

Vision

To become the first place people with disabilities turn when seeking employment and a top resource for employers in need of qualified employees.

Organizational Structure

The Division has 900 employees with staff in a Tallahassee headquarters office, six area offices, and 89 field locations where VR customers can get services across the state.

The program is administered through the Office of the Director and four Bureaus: the Bureau of Field Services, the Bureau of Operations and Support, the Bureau of Planning and Performance, and the Bureau of Vendor and Contracted Services.