Dept of Veterans Affairs and National Disability Rights Network Sign Agreement to Enhance Services to Veterans with Disabilities

WASHINGTON – Oct. 28, 2016 - Curtis Decker, executive director of the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (VR&E). This agreement signifies a formal relationship between NDRN and VR&E to better enable Veterans with service-related disabilities to successfully transition into civilian life.

Signing on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs were Curtis Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity and Jack Kammerer, Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service.

The VR&E program provides individualized employment solutions and rehabilitation services to Veterans with disabilities that affect employment opportunities. NDRN is the non-profit membership organization for the nationwide Protection and Advocacy Systems and Client Assistance Programs (P&A/CAP). Collectively, the network is the largest provider of legally-based advocacy services to people with disabilities.

Under the agreement, NDRN and VR&E will collaborate to improve outreach to Veterans with disabilities, and increase awareness of and access to services that will enable them to better adjust to the civilian community. It will also improve communication and information sharing between the two organizations.

Additionally, NDRN and VR&E have agreed to determine when P&A/CAP agencies can support VR&E counselors to enhance services to Veterans; will exchange Fact Sheets on P&A/CAP and VR&E programs, services, statutes, and regulations to educate staff and clients; will conduct topical trainings on a variety of information important to Veterans such as benefits, disability rights under the law, employment, education and housing.

“Having sacrificed so much for our country, Veterans with service-related disabilities deserve every opportunity to find rewarding careers when they return to civilian life,” said Curt Decker. “This agreement is an important first step in a partnership that will improve employment services for our nation’s veterans.”

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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.

SOURCE: Press Release