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The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department’s Evaluation Center is all about what you can do, not what you can’t do.
You learn self awareness about your disability, and that you’re not the only one dealing with these issues.
You get hope.
And it’s fun.
We’re going to take you on a short tour of the Center and answer some of the questions you may have about coming here.
The Evaluation Center is located on the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department’s main campus in West Columbia (link to Google Maps for directions).
The Center serves people with all physical disabilities, including the deaf and people with low vision. However, it does not serve the blind.
All clients who come here are referred by their local VR offices.
Here, rehabilitation professionals, nurses, engineers and others work with you to evaluate your physical disability and help you determine your vocational needs.
You learn new skills and discover the many resources available to you.
And you improve your quality of life.
Up to 28 clients from across the state reside at the Center. Fully trained, licensed nurses staff the dormitory 24 hours a day and all rooms in the Center are fully accessible.
In addition to the classrooms and offices, there is a laundry, lounge, dining room and library.
New and returning clients move in Sundays between 2 and 8 pm.
Check in all medications you take at the nurses’ station and make sure the medications you bring are in their original prescription bottle.
You will share a room with another client.
Residents live at the Center Sunday through Friday. After classes end on Friday, you go home for the weekend, and return on Sunday afternoon.
The Center also serves 20 to 25 day clients from around the Midlands.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for residents, while lunch only is provided for day clients.
There are vending machines at the Center, and snacks are available during breaks between classes.
Determining your vocational goals begins with what you can do, and what you want to do.
Because each person is different, the staff works closely with you to develop an individualized plan to meet your needs, your goals and your vocational objectives.
Depending on your situation, you’ll be here between three to five weeks, participating in one of three programs:
Your schedule for each day is posted in the lounge before classes start.
Classes are held between 9 am and 3:45 pm, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
Your first week is spent in orientation, meeting the staff and learning about the Center.
Touring the Barrier Free Model Home, you’ll see many assistive devices available for residences.
You'll also meet with Rehabilitation Technology engineers who can help overcome obstacles that might be hindering your ability to work.
You’re evaluated in five areas:
The results of your evaluations reveal issues that can or need to be addressed in each area.
You also begin WorkKeys, two weeks of skills enhancement followed by tests that measure your proficiency in reading and math.
You earn a certificate documenting your skills.
Many employers use WorkKeys certification to be sure new employees have the skills to do the job.
You do a lot of career exploration the second week, including using the computer lab to research jobs. Among the work-related issues you will explore are availability of jobs where you live, how to handle medications, talking to your employer about your disability and transportation.
Based on your work goals, you’ll come up with your own definition of success.
By the third week, you know your WorkKeys score and have determined a vocational objective. From this point on, you work to achieve this goal.
ADA rights, interviewing skills, how to talk to employers about accommodations, job tryouts, resume writing, and learning to budget and handle money are some of the training you receive.
Based on your evaluation, you may test for the Information Technology Training Center program, also offered by VR.
If accommodations or adaptive equipment have been recommended, Rehabilitation Technology engineers work with you to make sure it meets your specific needs and that you know how to use it.
Also, former clients come in for the the Real World Worker presentation. They talk and answer questions about their work experiences and dealing with disabilities in the workplace.
Now, we’ll take a closer look at the Vocational Evaluation, Pain Management, and Brain Injury programs.
The Comprehensive Program helps you identify realistic vocational objectives, based on your abilities, capabilities and interests.
Your participation in classes and activities at the Center determine how soon you can begin work or return to an existing job.
Your physical abilities, work history, education, interests and aptitudes are considered in exploring vocational options.
In Occupational Therapy, you are evaluated for upper extremity strength, cognitive skills, visual skills, dexterity, activities of daily living, and basic work skills needed for employment.
Therapists look at all components of a task or activity and help figure out how to adapt them to your ability.
Based on the evaluation, the therapist can recommend exercise, assistive technology, treatment, or training in body mechanics.
Physical therapists work with you to increase your flexibility, range of motion, mobility, stamina, and strength.
You may receive one-on-one therapy or supervised exercise, including stretching, heat treatment or massage therapy.
A wide variety of equipment is available, such as weights, bicycles and treadmills, and devices designed specifically for wheelchair users.
Wheelchair, prosthetic and other equipment you currently use, or may need, are evaluated with assistance from Rehabilitation Technology to ensure it meets your needs and that you can use it properly.
What you eat is as important to your health as exercise.
Depending on your disability and the medications you take, your dietary needs may be specialized.
Besides receiving delicious and nutritious meals in the cafeteria, you learn about food and your body’s needs.
Nutritionists work with you individually and in groups to address specific diet concerns, such as weight management or diabetes. You also learn how to budget, plan meals, shop and make affordable, healthy choices.
There is also a voluntary weight-loss group you can join.
In addition to checking your blood pressure and other vital signs, the nursing staff works with you on self-care skills such as dressing and feeding yourself, helping you improve your independence.
If you suffer from chronic pain, the Pain Management Program can help reduce your discomfort.
First, your pain level and pain tolerance are measured, along with your stamina and work tolerance (how long can you work).
Then, you learn many coping skills for living and working with your pain.
Physical therapists design exercises to increase your flexibility, mobility, stamina and strength to reduce the chance of further injury.
Assertiveness training and relaxation skills will reduce your stress, and you learn about proper body mechanics.
Occupational therapists help with ergonomic designs and adaptive equipment you can used at home or at work.
Unlike many disabilities, you can’t tell if someone has a brain injury just by looking at them.
The Brain Injury Program is for individuals who have an acquired or traumatic brain injury and need to develop strategies to improve their daily life and work performance.
You receive vocational and psychological evaluations, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy and nutritional guidance.
You’re also tested on cognitive ability, memory, stamina and level of independence.
Next you work on problem solving, anger management and stress management, goal setting and memory strategies.
You also learn about the many resources that are available, and try out different types of assistive technology, including PDAs, which you will use daily to keep organized.
Finally, you perform actual job tasks in a real-work environment at the Lexington Work Training Center, next door to the Evaluation Center.
Staff members are with you every step of the way, making sure you are okay, helping you learn work tasks and adjust to work requirements, and apply the skills and strategies you’ve learned.
It may sound like all we do here is work, but we have fun, too.
There are board games and a pool table in the lounge, and we often play bocce or other games outside.
There are activities in the evenings, which sometimes include surprise guests, like Drink Small, and we help plan community events.
We elect a new president and vice president who help orient new clients and serve as liaison between clients and staff. We also choose an honor guard who raise and lower the flags in front of the Center.
This is a great opportunity to show your leadership skills.
When you leave the Evaluation Center, you will know if you are medically stable and ready for competitive employment.
And you will have a comprehensive report to support your work goals.
You have a plan for your future, new goals to achieve, and the skills to reach those goals.
The next step is working with your local VR office to implement that plan.
The services and resources at the Evaluation Center are available to South Carolina residents who have disabilities. Contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation office to find out if you are eligible.
For more information, contact the Evaluation Center at 803-896-6040.