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

Vocational Considerations of Autism Spectrum

An overview of the vocational implications of autism spectrum. 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 autism spectrum.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to autism spectrum.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with autism spectrum.

Dates:  5/22; 9/11

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Blindness and Low Vision

An overview of the vocational implications of blindness and low vision. 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 blindness.
  • Understand the vocational implications of low vision.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to blindness and low vision.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with blindness and low vision.

Dates: 3/20; 6/12; 10/9

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Chronic Pain

An overview of the vocational implications of chronic pain. 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 chronic pain.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to chronic pain.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with chronic pain.

Dates: 4/17; 8/14

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Depressive and Other Mood Disorders

An overview of the vocational implications of major depressive disorder and other mood 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 major depressive disorder.
  • Understand the vocational implications of other selected mood disorders.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to major depressive disorder and other mood disorders.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for individuals with major depressive disorder and other mood disorders.

Dates: 6/5; 9/25

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders

An overview of the vocational implications of seizure 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 seizure disorders.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to seizure disorders.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for individuals with seizure disorders.

Available in 2025!

 

Vocational Considerations of Intellectual Disability

An overview of the vocational implications of intellectual disability. 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 intellectual disability.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to intellectual disability.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for individuals with intellectual disability.

Dates: 6/19; 10/2

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Neuromuscular Disorders

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

Dates: 3/6; 7/31; 10/30

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Personality Disorders (Cluster A)

An overview of the vocational implications of personality disorders (Cluster A). 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 personality disorders (Cluster A).
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to personality disorders (Cluster A).
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with personality disorders (Cluster A).

Dates: 4/10; 8/24; 11/6

Time: 1-4 p.m. 

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Personality Disorders (Cluster B)

An overview of the vocational implications of personality disorders (Cluster B). 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 Personality Disorders (Cluster B).
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to Personality Disorders (Cluster B).
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with personality disorders (Cluster B).

Dates: 4/24; 8/21

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Personality Disorders (Cluster C)

An overview of the vocational implications of personality disorders (Cluster C). 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 personality disorders (Cluster C).
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to personality disorders (Cluster C).
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with personality disorders (Cluster C).

Dates: 5/15; 9/4

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov