“Voc Rehab is a very important advocate
for disabled people
in our region.”
Roy Hiratsuka,
Food Bank Manager

Ten more area residents with disabilities were working in FY02 thanks to the efforts of BBNA’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Currently the program serves 120 residents from 22 area villages.

Funded by competitive U.S. Department of Education grants, Vocational Rehabilitation helps Alaska Natives and American Indians with disabilities get jobs and learn skills needed to work. Services include guidance and counseling, job placement, medical exams, surgery, psychiatry, training, transportation, and assistive devices such as hearing aids and wheelchairs. The program can help college and vocational students, spark small business development and create supported employment.

Eligibility requires documentation of a disability that results in substantial impediments to Alaska Natives or American Indians living in the region, and for whom a reasonable expectation exists that VR services will be effective. Consumer confidentiality is respected at all times.

VR staff will travel to meet with consumers in their homes. For information, email, stop by the office, or call 1-888-285-2262.

Examples of disabilities VR
services are provided for include:

Alcohol & Drug Addiction
Amputations
Visual Impairments
Hearing & Speech Impairments
Mental Retardation
Mental Illness
Orthopedic Problems
Seizure Disorders
Traumatic Brain Injury
Specific Learning Disabilities
Diabetes
Other physical or mental
conditions that limit one’s
ability to work or function.