What Vocational Rehabilitation Div does

The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state government program under the Florida Department of Education, established in Florida in 1925 under the broader 1920 Smith-Fess Act framework. Its mission is to help individuals with disabilities find, maintain, or advance in employment. VR serves a multi-segment customer base that includes adults and youth with physical, mental, cognitive, and sensory disabilities, students aged 14-21 eligible for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), employers seeking to diversify their workforce, and 501(c)(3) fee-for-service providers and vendors. Service delivery occurs through 7 VR area offices statewide, 16 Centers for Independent Living, an approved fee-for-service provider network, and a Service Provider Choice Directory platform.

VR's core service offerings include Pre-Employment Transition Services, Supported Employment, Customized Employment, Discovery assessments, the Independent Living Program, Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind Services, Ticket to Work, Transition Youth Programs (Career Camps, High School High Tech, IPSE, Project SEARCH, Youth Leadership Forum), Assistive Technology Services, and Employer Partnership Programs. Underlying 'technology' consists of assistive devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, vehicle modifications, workplace accommodations) and an accessible online provider directory — there is no proprietary software platform, API, or AI product. The Inform

Name

Vocational Rehabilitation Div

Legal name

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Website

https://rehabworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is a federal-state government program under the Florida Department of Education that helps individuals with disabilities secure employment through counseling, assistive technology, training, and employer partnerships, serving job seekers, students ages 14-21, employers, and providers statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Supported Employment & Job Coaching (EDAKANAE), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Vocational Evaluation & Career Assessment (Transition-Age) (EDAKANAC), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Disability employment services
• Workforce development programs
• Assistive technology services
• Supported employment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: VR is primarily funded through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education (78.7%) and Florida State Appropriations (21.3%). For 2024 Federal fiscal year, grant funds awarded were $184,931,573 with $50,051,366 from Florida State Appropriations. Total program cost: $235,022,939.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is a federal-state program under the Florida Department of Education that helps individuals with disabilities find, maintain, or advance in employment. Services are delivered free of charge to eligible individuals and include career counseling, individualized plan development, job placement, job coaching, supported and customized employment, assistive technology and workplace accommodations, pre-employment transition services for students, and employer-facing recruitment and partnership support through a statewide network of area offices and approved providers.

Product overview

The Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state employment services agency, not a software technology company. Its 'product portfolio' consists entirely of human-facing service programs and a provider network. Core offerings include Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Supported Employment Services, Customized Employment Services, Discovery assessments, the Independent Living Program, Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind Services, Ticket to Work, Transition Youth Programs (encompassing Career Camps, High School High Tech, IPSE, Project SEARCH, and Youth Leadership Forum), Assistive Technology Services, and Employer Partnership Programs. These are delivered through a network of Fee-for-Service Providers and Vendors. The division also operates the VR Customer Feedback Survey and Informed Choice Framework as programmatic support mechanisms. VR does not offer a software platform, API, or AI-powered product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Federal-state program under the Florida Department of Education that assists people with disabilities in securing employment through individualized plans, vendored services, and employer partnerships across the state.
• Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Career exploration and preparation services for students with disabilities beginning at age 14, offered before formal VR application or eligibility determination, aligned with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA).
• Supported Employment Services Employment service for youth or adults with the most significant disabilities who require ongoing support to obtain and maintain competitive, integrated employment, including job coaching and coordination with external support agencies.
• Customized Employment Services Employment strategy that collaboratively negotiates a customized job with the employer, matching individual interests, skills, and conditions for success with the employer's needs.
• Discovery Alternative to traditional assessments that helps individuals with the most significant disabilities identify their strengths, interests, and abilities through an interactive process in community settings.
• Independent Living Program State/federal partnership funding 16 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) across Florida to promote independent living philosophy, offering five core services including information and referral, independent living-skills training, advocacy, peer counseling, and transition from nursing homes.
• Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind Services Specialized services including sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, real-time captioning, and adaptive devices, with counselors trained in hearing loss workplace issues.
• Ticket to Work Social Security Administration program in which VR serves as an Employment Network, offering benefits counseling, work incentives guidance, and employment services to SSI and SSDI recipients seeking to work.
• Transition Youth Programs Programs helping students with disabilities train for jobs or continue education after high school, encompassing Pre-ETS, career counseling, and fully-integrated work experiences, including Career Camps, High School High Tech, IPSE, Project SEARCH, and Youth Leadership Forum.
• Subminimum Wages Program Career counseling and referral services for workers paid subminimum wages under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, coordinated through specially trained CCIR providers funded by VR.
• Assistive Technology Services Provision of assistive devices and technology assessments to help customers perform job tasks, including devices for sight, hearing, mobility, and vehicle modifications.
• Employer Partnership Programs Business relations services including recruitment assistance, pre-screening of talent, apprenticeships, customized training, internships, on-the-job training, disability awareness training, and 90-120 day post-hire follow-up.
• Fee-for-Service Providers Approved not-for-profit provider organizations (501(c)(3)) with experience in disability employment that deliver employment services to VR customers under contractual agreement.
• Vendors Persons or businesses providing services such as medical services, training opportunities, and specialized equipment that lead to employment goals for VR customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 5,924 individuals with disabilities achieved employment in 2020 (compared to 30 in 1930)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAAST provides assistive technology products and services enabling persons with disabilities to participate in independent living, education, work and recreation. VR works with FAAST for job-site evaluations and accessibility recommendations including assistive devices, mobility solutions, and vehicle modifications.
• Employ FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness service that works directly with Florida employers to align their demand for skilled talent with the needs of Floridians seeking employment and career development opportunities. Links all Florida's state and local workforce services and resources through partnership with DEO and CareerSource.
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAN provides free consulting services for all employers on job accommodations, ideas, product vendors, referrals, and ADA-compliance assistance. VR refers employers to JAN for accommodation guidance.
• National Employment Team (NET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVR is affiliated with NET which offers business customers a designated single point-of-contact to connect with qualified applicants, resources and support services in local state areas, multi-state or national marketplace.
• Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAP is a national talent pool of individuals with disabilities looking for employment and a job posting platform for businesses looking to hire. VR is affiliated with TAP.
• The Able TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit foundation with mission to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness and education. Sponsors area Disability Employment Awareness Month events.
• Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ADP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVR partners with ADP for statewide Disability Employment Awareness Month events. ADP serves individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Division of Blind Services (DBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVR partners with DBS for statewide Disability Employment Awareness Month events and collaborative services for individuals who are deafblind. Both agencies may serve customers simultaneously.
• CareerSource FloridacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 24 local workforce development areas and about 100 career centers statewide offering personalized assistance to job seekers and businesses. Partners with VR for job placement and employer connections.
• NBC Universal / TelemundoflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNBC Universal Telemundo recognized as 2016 Outstanding Employer for commitment to hiring people with disabilities. Employs VR customer Ingrid Cupeiro as Program Coordinator.
• Home DepotflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome Depot is well known for being an inclusive employer and has been honored by VR. Mariano 'Nuni' Lebron works as plumbing sales associate for nearly 20 years.
• Florida Independent Living Council (FILC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFILC develops the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) to guide and support independent living services. Council members are appointed by the governor to ensure disability needs are represented statewide.
• Zeno Mountain FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusion acting camp in Venice, California where Zack Gottsagen attended and where The Peanut Butter Falcon movie concept was developed.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit network providing vocational training, supported employment, and job placement for people with disabilities and other barriers — operates programs directly comparable to Florida VR's Supported Employment and Customized Employment services.
• The Arc: National disability advocacy and services organization offering employment preparation, supported employment, and IPSE-like postsecondary programs — comparable in mission and service mix to Florida VR's transition and adult programs.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment preparation, assistive technology, and job coaching — closely overlaps Florida VR's adult employment and Independent Living portfolios.
• Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Federal oversight body for the U.S. Department of Education's vocational rehabilitation program; directly comparable as the federal counterpart that funds and governs state VR agencies including Florida VR.

Direct peers

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN): Free federally funded consulting service on workplace accommodations and ADA compliance — directly comparable as a partner and complement to VR's employer-facing accommodation and assistive technology services.
• The Able Trust: Florida nonprofit foundation funding disability employment initiatives and co-sponsoring Disability Employment Awareness Month events with VR — directly comparable mission and Florida geographic footprint.
• CareerSource Florida: Florida's statewide workforce development network of 24 local areas and ~100 career centers — directly comparable as a partner and peer in job placement, employer engagement, and workforce training in Florida.
• Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST): Florida statewide assistive technology resource provider — directly comparable and a core VR partner for job-site evaluations, accessibility, mobility, and vehicle modification services.
• Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD): Florida state agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities — comparable as a sister state agency that co-serves overlapping customer populations and co-sponsors employment programming with VR.

Regional players

• National Industries for the Blind (NIB): National nonprofit providing employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities — comparable in mission to VR's Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind Services line and broader employment placement mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/florida-division-of-vocational-rehabilitation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vocational Rehabilitation Div