Vocational Rehab Institute Courses

Vocational Rehabilitation Training

These courses are only for employees of Washington’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Services for the Blind and Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation.

Vocational Rehab Institute, or VRI, is a learning program hosted by the University of Washington’s Center for Continuing Education and Research. CCER's 2025 calendar features half-day trainings on our customers' most common disabilities and barriers to employment, discussing both medical and vocational rehab aspects.

  • There are no prerequisites for any course. 
  • No forms to fill out, no fees. We do ask you to enroll only in classes you intend to join. 
  • Each topic is trained several times to give you more chances to attend.
  • The primary audience is counselors and case managers, but any vocational rehabilitation staff is welcome to attend.

Course descriptions are beneath the 2025 summary schedule. 

Register for classes by emailing dvrtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Email disability accommodations to dvrtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Personality Disorders (Cluster A)

An overview of the medical aspects of personality disorders (Cluster A), including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, prognosis and treatment. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of personality disorders (Cluster A).
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to personality disorders (Cluster A) that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by people with personality disorders (Cluster A).

Dates: 3/20; 7/24; 10/30

Time: 9 a.m.-noon

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Personality Disorders (Cluster B)

An overview of the medical aspects of personality disorders (Cluster B), including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, prognosis and treatment. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of personality disorders (Cluster B).
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to personality disorders (Cluster B) that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by people with personality disorders (Cluster B).

Dates: 4/24; 8/7

Time: 9 a.m.-noon 

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Personality Disorders (Cluster C)

An overview of the medical aspects of personality disorders (Cluster C), including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, prognosis and treatment. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of personality disorders (Cluster C).
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to personality disorders (Cluster C) that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by people with personality disorders (Cluster C).

Dates: 5/8; 8/28

Time: 9 a.m.-noon 

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

An overview of the medical aspects of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, prognosis and treatment. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of schizophrenia.
  • Understand the medical aspects of other selected psychotic disorders.
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by people with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Dates: Offered in 2025!

 

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Specific Learning Disorders

An overview of the medical aspects of specific learning disorder, including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria and prognosis. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of SLD.
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to SLD that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by individuals with SLD.

Dates: 5/1; 8/21

Time: 9 a.m.-noon 

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury

An overview of the medical aspects of spinal cord injury, including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, prognosis and treatment. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of SCI.
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to SCI that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by people with SCI.

Dates: 4/3; 7/10; 11/6

Time: 9 a.m.-noon

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Substance/Alcohol Use Disorder

An overview of the medical aspects of substance/alcohol use disorder, including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, prognosis and treatment. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of substance/alcohol use disorder.
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to substance/alcohol use disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by people with substance/alcohol use disorder.

Dates: 3/27; 7/17; 10/16; 11/13

Time: 9 a.m.-noon 

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury

An overview of the medical aspects of traumatic brain injury , including the symptoms, diagnostic criteria and prognosis. Incorporates the individual and social impacts related to the disorder that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the medical aspects of TBI.
  • Understand and demonstrate the individual and social factors related to TBI that may impede or enhance the rehabilitation counseling process.
  • Understand the diversity of experiences reported by people with TBI.

Dates: 4/10; 7/3

Time: 9 a.m.-noon 

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Anxiety Disorders

An overview of the vocational implications of anxiety disorders. Includes consideration of barriers to employment and potential accommodations.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the vocational implications of anxiety disorders.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to anxiety disorders.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with anxiety disorders.

Dates: 3/13; 7/17; 10/16

Time: 1-4 p.m. 

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Attention Deficit Disorders

An overview of the vocational implications of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Includes consideration of barriers to employment and potential accommodations.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participants should be able to:

  • Understand the vocational implications of ADHD.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to ADHD.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with ADHD.

Dates: 5/29; 9/18

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov