ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation)

The City of Rochester is a proud partner of the Adult Career & Continuing Education Services (ACCESS-VR) Rochester District Office. The mission of ACCES-VR is to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development.

ACCES-VR services are offered through the New York State Education Department to assist people with disabilities in achieving and maintaining employment and supporting independent living. ACCES-VR starts with the presumption that all individuals with disabilities can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services and should have opportunities to work in jobs integrated within their communities. If you are a City Employee with a disability or are interested in becoming one, a vocational rehabilitation counselor is available to assist you in developing your plan and reaching your employment goal.

Some support offered by ACCES-VR include:

Assessment to help identify skills, abilities, interests, and limitations
Career counseling and guidance
Benefits Advisement
Assistive Technology
Training at a vocational school, community college, or on-the-job
Supported Employment
Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and reasonable accommodations
Job placement and job retention
Other services necessary to achieve the employment goal

ACCES-VR Committee

Rochester District Office (ACCES-VR)	The City of Rochester
Jennifer Geiger, Business Relations Representative at New York State Education Department (ACCES-VR)	Fernan Cepero, Deputy Director of Human Resources
	Madison McNiffe, Human Resource Consultant

ACCES-VR and 55-a

Section 55-A of the New York State Civil Service Law allows a qualified person with a certified mental or physical disability to be hired into competitive civil service positions without having to take an exam.

To be eligible for the 55-a Program, candidates must:

Be certified as having a mental or physical disability
Be qualified to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position sought, with or without reasonable accommodation
Meet the education and/or experience for the position sought

A qualified person with a disability who is hired under the 55-a Program is not required to take a competitive examination. Eligible persons will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications and interviews.

Eligibility for the 55-a Program is determined by the New York State Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Service – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR). Please contact Jen Geiger at ACCES-VR to fill out 55-A paperwork.

If you are a City employee looking for information on upcoming ACCES-VR trainings, please contact Madison McNiffe at Madison.mcniffe@cityofrochester.gov.