Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) enables people who would once have been ignored to achieve far more than they would have in a “one-size-fits-all” educational system. Oregon VR assists those with disabilities in finding a career that meets their specific skills, interests, and abilities – an individual approach with personalized support.
Case in point: Trent, a recent graduate of Western Oregon University.
Trent’s early ambition to become a veterinarian was stymied by a optic nerve hyperplasia, which in addition to imposing other impairments meant he could not safely drive a car – a deal breaker for the type of veterinarian practice he wanted. After going over various options and trying some other job opportunities on for size with the help of Barbara Majors, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor he met through the Oregon Department of Human Services, he discovered an aptitude and passion for computer science.
“After taking one computer science class, I knew this was what I wanted to do,” Trent told Fiona Bai of MyOregon.Gov.
After two years at Linn-Benton Community College, Trent transferred to WOU to complete his degree. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Trent’s plans doubly hard: not only was he unable to attend classes in-person, but much of his program called for him to serve internships which many companies were no longer arranging due the risk of exposure for their regular employees. Again, Majors helped him to arrange alternative ways of gaining experience and forming contacts.
Upon graduation, Trent went to work for Capsa Healthcare as a software development engineer, which meant moving to Portland, learning to use its public transportation system, and defining a career for himself.
Trent benefited not only from the Oregon system working for his future, but because he was able to ask for the help he needed.
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