What is DORS?
DORS is a division of the Maryland State Department of Education. DORS is composed of the public vocational rehabilitation (VR) program and the Disability Determination Services. The public VR program includes:
The
Office of Field Services, which prepares job seekers with disabilities to go to work, stay employed, or prepare for the world of work. Rehabilitation counselors in offices throughout Maryland provide or arrange for services that may include career counseling, assistive technology, vocational training and/or job placement assistance. OFS also provides transition services for Students with Disabilities.
The
Office for Blindness & Vision Services (OBVS), which specializes in helping people whose primary disability is blindness or vision loss go to work and stay independent. Services include those that help prepares job seekers who are blind/low vision to go to work, stay employed, or prepare for the world of work.
OBVS' Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) Program helps individuals who are 55 or older who are blind or have a vision impairment to live independently in their homes and communities.
OBVS also oversees the
Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the Blind. This program prepares individuals who are legally blind to operate vending, gift or food service businesses in public facilities.
OBVS also provides transition services for Students with Disabilities.
The
Workforce & Technology Center (WTC), a comprehensive program which offers a variety of employment services, both virtually and in person, in the community and at the campus in Northeast Baltimore. WTC also provides transition services for Students with Disabilities.
- In addition, DORS also operates the
Disability Determination Services (DDS), evaluates eligibility and makes medical decisions about disability claims filed by Marylanders for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit programs.
The Vocational Rehabilitation program receives 78.7% of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For the Federal fiscal year 2024, the total amount of grant funds awarded was $51,885,242. The remaining 21.3% of the costs ($15,395,878) were funded by State appropriations.
