State of Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services
Address
40 Fountain Street
RI Department of Human Services
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 421-7005
Description:
Designed to empower all individuals with disabilities to choose, prepare for, obtain and maintain employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence and integration into society. They value the worth, dignity, rights, responsibilities, and empowerment of all persons with disabilities in achieving their individualized goals.
The Office of Rehabilitation Services administers the following programs:
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program: A public state and federally-funded program that assists individuals with disabilities to choose, prepare for, obtain, advance in, and maintain competitive integrated employment. Employment being the successful outcome of services provided through the public vocational rehabilitation program. It is expected that individuals with disabilities who apply for services are interested in becoming employed and understand that this is the focus of the VR program.
Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI): Offers a wide array of services to eligible individuals who are blind or visually impaired through its Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, Business Enterprises Program, and Social Services Program. The various services offered by these programs are designed to help individuals of all ages achieve independence at home, in the community, and in the workplace.
Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL): Provides landline/home telephones and wireless devices on loan to qualified individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, have a speech disability, or have neuromuscular damage or disease that hinders them from using a standard telephone. You must be a RI Resident, have one of the above-mentioned disabilities, and meet one of the income qualifier criteria described on the application. The ATEL Program now offers a Hearing and Speech Lab which will offer iPad/iPhone training and have the following devices available for FREE demonstrations, as well as, many devices available for short term loans.
Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP): A statewide partnership of organizations, each with a targeted assistive technology focus, working together to improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. ATAP's main initiatives include: Device Demonstration, Device Loan, Device Re-Use, and Training, Public Awareness, Collaboration, Information & Referral. ATAP Partners include Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL), East Bay Educational Collaborative (EBEC), Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL), and TechACCESS of RI.
The Rhode Island Disability Determination Services (RIDDS): A unit within the Office of Rehabilitation Services, which operates under a !state-federal! partnership. The function of the RI DDS is to make determinations as to the medical eligibility of adults and children with physical and/or mental impairments who have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The RI DDS is assigned a budgeted workload under a regulatory agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The RI DDS is 100 percent financed by SSA to adjudicate initial disability applications, appeals of cases initially denied, and continuing disability reviews. The RI DDS also performs disability hearings on cases in which benefits have been terminated.
Services
Click here to show all service details. Or click on a service name to see its details specifically.
Description
The Rhode Island Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP) is designed as a statewide partnership of organizations, each with a targeted assistive technology focus, working together to improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. ATAP's main initiatives include: -Device Demonstration -Device Loan -Device Re-Use Training, Public Awareness, Collaboration, Information & Referral ATAP Partners include Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL), East Bay Educational Collaborative (EBEC), Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL), and TechACCESS of RI.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
An authorized professional must complete a certificate of disability.
Eligibility
-Be a resident of Rhode Island, -Be Hard of Hearing, Deaf, or have either a speech disability or neuromuscular damage or disease that hinders you from using a standard telephone. -Meet income criteria.
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Telephone Numbers
Description
The Rhode Island Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan (ATEL) provides demonstrations, training, and long-term loan and device reutilization services of specialized landline telephone equipment and wireless communication devices to qualified individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, have a speech disability, or have neuromuscular damage or disease, which hinders them from using a standard telephone.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
An authorized professional must complete a certificate of disability
Eligibility
-Be a resident of Rhode Island, -Be Hard of Hearing, Deaf, or have either a speech disability or neuromuscular damage or disease that hinders you from using a standard telephone. -Meet income criteria.
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Description
Vocational counseling will help you to better understand your potential, to rely on your abilities, to set realistic vocational goals, to change them when necessary, to develop successful work habits, and to begin a satisfying career. After applying for vocational rehabilitation services and being determined eligible, the eligible individual with a disability and a Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will work together to develop an employment plan called the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The Employment Plan considers the individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, skills, abilities, preferences, capabilities, interests, and values, as well as the barriers to employment. The Employment Plan identifies the employment goal that the individual has chosen, the time it is expected to reach the goal, the services that the individual chooses as necessary to reach the employment goal, and how the services will be provided. Some of the services may be provided directly by the VR Counselor, others may be available through other public sources such as netWORKri (One Stop Career Centers), and others may be purchased with funds provided by the VR agency. The individual may develop the Employment Plan with the assistance of the VR Counselor, another individual, or by him or herself. The VR Counselor is always available to provide assistance in this process. A Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who works for the public VR program must approve the Employment Plan before any services are provided through the VR agency. The partnership between each individual with a disability and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor is a key component in the Vocational Rehabilitation process.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
N/A
Eligibility
Be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation
Fees
Many vocational rehabilitation services are paid for by ORS. However, you may be asked to share in the cost of other services, depending on your ability to pay and your resources (such as insurance and any other resources that are available to you).
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Description
Disability Determination Services (DDS) is a unit within the Office of Rehabilitation Services. DDS is the state agency which determines the medical eligibility of Rhode Island residents (children and adults) who have applied for cash benefits under the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The two SSA disability programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (Title II) and Supplementary Security Income (SSI) (Title XVI). The DDS is responsible for collecting medical evidence of record and determining whether the claimant is disabled and/or blind as defined by the Social Security Act.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
Varies by Program
Eligibility
Children and Adults who have may have a disability and applied for benefits through Social Security
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Description
NEWSLINE for the Blind As of July 2005, individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or print handicapped can utilize this comprehensive newspaper reading service that is accessible through the use of any touch-tone phone.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
Certification of Legal Blindness Varies by Program
Eligibility
Rhode Islanders of all ages who are Blind or Visually Impaired. This includes those individuals with an acuity of 20/60 or less in the better eye with correction, or fields of twenty degrees or less in the better eye.
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Offered Outside of Physical Location
Yes
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Description
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program is the public state and federally funded program that assists individuals with disabilities to choose, prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Employment being the successful outcome of services provided through the public vocational rehabilitation program. It is expected that individuals with disabilities who apply for services are interested in becoming employed and understand that this is the focus of the VR program. "Vocational rehabilitation services are any goods or services necessary to assist a person with a disability in preparing for, securing, or retaining an employment outcome that is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choiceâ. Services to Youth and Adults: -A Federal/State Program -Vocational guidance and counseling -Member of IEP team -Vocational Evaluation, Career Assessment, and Educational Planning -Orientation and Mobility -Rehabilitation Teaching -Training, Job Development, Job Placement, Job Retention -Adaptive equipment in work setting and/or home (Based on Economic Need and Comparable Benefits) -Certification of Legal Blindness - as relates to certain property exemptions or allowable IRS deductions -Information and referral to community resources and supports
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
Varies by Program
Eligibility
1) have a physical, intellectual or emotional impairment which is a substantial barrier to employment, and 2) require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment, and 3) be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome. If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your vocational rehabilitation office will presume that you are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.
Fees
Many vocational rehabilitation services are paid for by ORS. However, you may be asked to share in the cost of other services, depending on your ability to pay and your resources (such as insurance and any other resources that are available to you).
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
General Information
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:00PM
Intake Process:
Call or Visit Website
Program Fees:
Varies
Languages:
Spanish
Eligibility:
Varies by program
Handicap Accessible?
Yes
Is Shelter?
No
Miscellaneous
AKA:
RIORS; DHS
Related Resource
Date of Official Change:
March 22, 2023
Legal Status:
State
Services
Click here to show all service details. Or click on a service name to see its details specifically.
Description
The Rhode Island Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP) is designed as a statewide partnership of organizations, each with a targeted assistive technology focus, working together to improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. ATAP's main initiatives include: -Device Demonstration -Device Loan -Device Re-Use Training, Public Awareness, Collaboration, Information & Referral ATAP Partners include Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan Program (ATEL), East Bay Educational Collaborative (EBEC), Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL), and TechACCESS of RI.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
An authorized professional must complete a certificate of disability.
Eligibility
-Be a resident of Rhode Island, -Be Hard of Hearing, Deaf, or have either a speech disability or neuromuscular damage or disease that hinders you from using a standard telephone. -Meet income criteria.
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Telephone Numbers
Description
The Rhode Island Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan (ATEL) provides demonstrations, training, and long-term loan and device reutilization services of specialized landline telephone equipment and wireless communication devices to qualified individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, have a speech disability, or have neuromuscular damage or disease, which hinders them from using a standard telephone.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
An authorized professional must complete a certificate of disability
Eligibility
-Be a resident of Rhode Island, -Be Hard of Hearing, Deaf, or have either a speech disability or neuromuscular damage or disease that hinders you from using a standard telephone. -Meet income criteria.
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Description
Vocational counseling will help you to better understand your potential, to rely on your abilities, to set realistic vocational goals, to change them when necessary, to develop successful work habits, and to begin a satisfying career. After applying for vocational rehabilitation services and being determined eligible, the eligible individual with a disability and a Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will work together to develop an employment plan called the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The Employment Plan considers the individual's unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, skills, abilities, preferences, capabilities, interests, and values, as well as the barriers to employment. The Employment Plan identifies the employment goal that the individual has chosen, the time it is expected to reach the goal, the services that the individual chooses as necessary to reach the employment goal, and how the services will be provided. Some of the services may be provided directly by the VR Counselor, others may be available through other public sources such as netWORKri (One Stop Career Centers), and others may be purchased with funds provided by the VR agency. The individual may develop the Employment Plan with the assistance of the VR Counselor, another individual, or by him or herself. The VR Counselor is always available to provide assistance in this process. A Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who works for the public VR program must approve the Employment Plan before any services are provided through the VR agency. The partnership between each individual with a disability and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor is a key component in the Vocational Rehabilitation process.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
N/A
Eligibility
Be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation
Fees
Many vocational rehabilitation services are paid for by ORS. However, you may be asked to share in the cost of other services, depending on your ability to pay and your resources (such as insurance and any other resources that are available to you).
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Description
Disability Determination Services (DDS) is a unit within the Office of Rehabilitation Services. DDS is the state agency which determines the medical eligibility of Rhode Island residents (children and adults) who have applied for cash benefits under the disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The two SSA disability programs are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (Title II) and Supplementary Security Income (SSI) (Title XVI). The DDS is responsible for collecting medical evidence of record and determining whether the claimant is disabled and/or blind as defined by the Social Security Act.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
Varies by Program
Eligibility
Children and Adults who have may have a disability and applied for benefits through Social Security
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Description
NEWSLINE for the Blind As of July 2005, individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or print handicapped can utilize this comprehensive newspaper reading service that is accessible through the use of any touch-tone phone.
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
Certification of Legal Blindness Varies by Program
Eligibility
Rhode Islanders of all ages who are Blind or Visually Impaired. This includes those individuals with an acuity of 20/60 or less in the better eye with correction, or fields of twenty degrees or less in the better eye.
Fees
N/A
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Offered Outside of Physical Location
Yes
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Description
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program is the public state and federally funded program that assists individuals with disabilities to choose, prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Employment being the successful outcome of services provided through the public vocational rehabilitation program. It is expected that individuals with disabilities who apply for services are interested in becoming employed and understand that this is the focus of the VR program. "Vocational rehabilitation services are any goods or services necessary to assist a person with a disability in preparing for, securing, or retaining an employment outcome that is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choiceâ. Services to Youth and Adults: -A Federal/State Program -Vocational guidance and counseling -Member of IEP team -Vocational Evaluation, Career Assessment, and Educational Planning -Orientation and Mobility -Rehabilitation Teaching -Training, Job Development, Job Placement, Job Retention -Adaptive equipment in work setting and/or home (Based on Economic Need and Comparable Benefits) -Certification of Legal Blindness - as relates to certain property exemptions or allowable IRS deductions -Information and referral to community resources and supports
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-4:00PM
Required Documents
Varies by Program
Eligibility
1) have a physical, intellectual or emotional impairment which is a substantial barrier to employment, and 2) require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment, and 3) be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome. If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your vocational rehabilitation office will presume that you are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.
Fees
Many vocational rehabilitation services are paid for by ORS. However, you may be asked to share in the cost of other services, depending on your ability to pay and your resources (such as insurance and any other resources that are available to you).
Intake Procedure
Call or Visit Website
Languages
Spanish
Service Area
Statewide
Geography Served
- Rhode Island
If a location is grayed out it means that only certain areas within it are covered. The areas with complete covereage are listed in black.
Contact
Address Listings
Physical (Primary)
40 Fountain Street
RI Department of Human Services
Providence, RI 02903
Mailing
40 Fountain Street
RI Department of Human Services
Providence, RI 02903
Contacts
Joseph Murphy
Beth Rioles
Administrator (DDS)
(401) 462-7730
Denise Corson
(401) 486-3325
Jane Cannata
Jennifer Fiske
Karen Davis
Laurie Diorio
Administrator of Services For The Blind And Visually Impaired (SBVI)
(401) 265-3563
Teresa O'Brien
Phone Numbers
Main Phone
(401) 421-7005
ATEL
(401) 486-3325
Disability Determination
(401) 462-7716
Intake Line
(401) 462-7908
Social Security
(800) 772-1213
Spanish
(401) 462-7791
TTY
(401) 421-7016
TTY
711
Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor
(401) 465-0572
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