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 2024-2025 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 2024 summary schedule. 

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

Email disability accommodations to dvrtraining@dshs.wa.gov

Vocational Considerations of Spinal Cord Injuries

An overview of the vocational implications of spinal cord injury. 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 SCI.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to SCI.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with SCI.

Dates: 4/3; 7/10; 11/13

Time: 1-4 p.m.

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

Vocational Considerations of Substance/Alcohol Use Disorder

An overview of the vocational implications of substance/alcohol use 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 substance/alcohol use disorder.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to substance/alcohol use disorder.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with substance use disorder.

Dates: 3/27; 7/24; 10/23

Time: 1-4 p.m.

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 Traumatic Brain Injury

An overview of the vocational implications of traumatic brain injury. 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 TBI.
  • Understand and demonstrate the barriers to employment related to TBI.
  • Understand and demonstrate the potential accommodations for people with TBI.

Dates: 5/1; 7/3 

Time: 1-4 p.m.

To register: DVRtraining@dshs.wa.gov