SCVRD Evaluation Center Virtual Tour
Transcript
[Music fades up, continues throughout]
Vicki (former client):
It's like I'm a new person.
James (former client):
The best thing was communicating with other people, learning more about myself, and what I can and can't do.
Sherra (former client):
You have the courage to do those all those things that you thought you couldn't do.
Howard (former client):
If I had a question, they were there for me. You know, they had the answers. And if they didn't, they found the answers.
Narrator:
The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department Evaluation Center helps you realize your potential, measure your level of independence, and discover a career path that fits with your ability.
The Evaluation Center serves people with all physical disabilities. You must be a Vocational Rehabilitation client to come to the Evaluation Center. Contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation office to find out if you are eligible.
20 to 25 day clients from around the Midlands come here for classes during the week. Up to 29 resident clients from across the state stay at the Center each week from Sunday through Friday. After classes end on Friday, resident clients go home for the weekend.
Check-in for resident clients starts at 2 pm Sunday. If you are a new client, the nursing staff reviews your medical history, and may check your vital signs.
Bring your medications in prescription bottles. The nurses keep them locked up and will give them to you when you need them. The nursing staff is fully trained and licensed, and they are here 24 hours a day to assist you.
All rooms in the Center are fully accessible. Lockers are available to store personal items like cell phones and money. Linens and pillows are provided, and a laundry room is available.
There is a smoking area outside since smoking is not allowed in any building on campus.
Residents enjoy breakfast together in the dining hall at 7 am and dinner at 5:30 pm. Day clients join you for lunch at noon. Snacks and drinks are provided during breaks between classes, and there is also a vending machine in the dining hall.
Your schedule for each day is posted on the bulletin board in the TV room. Classes begin at 8:30 am and end at 4:45 pm. Dress is casual since everyone participates in some type of exercise.
Your first week is mostly spent in orientation, meeting the staff, your fellow clients, and learning about your strengths. After that, your schedule is tailored to meet your specific needs.
If you suffer from chronic pain as a result of injuries or arthritis, the Pain Management Program can help reduce your discomfort through Occupational and Physical Therapy.
The Brain Injury Program helps individuals who have a brain injury develop strategies to improve their daily life and work performance.
The Comprehensive Program helps you identify realistic vocational objectives/goals, based on your abilities, capabilities and interests.
The Transition Program is for rising high school seniors with physical disabilities. They attend a two-week session in the summer before their senior year to help them with career planning.
Determining your vocational goals begins with figuring out what you want to do, and what you can do.
Vocational Evaluation helps you determine your interests and explore career options. You are guided by a program manager who will help you develop realistic work goals.
Occupational Therapists help you determine your physical capabilities and improve your dexterity. They help you break down tasks and determine the best way for you to accomplish them.
Our Nursing Supervisor teaches a general nutrition class and offers one-on-one sessions on diabetic education and weight loss.
Employers hire people with positive attitudes. Build your confidence and communication skills with team-building activities, games and mock job interviews. You may also participate in soft skills classes like stress management and assertiveness training.
The Muscular Development Center is located a short distance from the Evaluation Center. Easy access trails add to your exercise as you move daily between the centers.
The MDC offers aquatic therapy in a heated, salt-water pool supervised by lifeguards and an aquatic instructor. The MDC is fully accessible, and staff are always available to assist you.
Physical Therapy is provided by prescription. Therapists work with you to increase your flexibility, range of motion, mobility, stamina, and strength. You may receive one-on-one therapy or supervised exercise, including stretching, heat treatment or passive range of motion therapy.
Lose weight with the help of our exercise physiologist and staff. A wide variety of exercise equipment is available, such as weights, bicycles, treadmills, and devices designed specifically for wheelchair users. The weight room is open during the day and certain evenings.
Our Rehabilitation Technology engineers can evaluate devices you currently use, and demonstrate assistive technology you may need to help you work successfully.
You can also tour the barrier-free model home, which is designed to provide as much independence as possible for people with disabilities.
When you complete your program, we send a comprehensive report to your local VR counselor. You and your counselor will review it and plan your next steps towards employment.
Edward (former client):
This place helped me regain my focus on what is ahead.
LaChandra: (former client):
Coming here I've learned what I can do, what I cannot do, mentally as well as physically.
Howard (former client):
It's one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in 58 years of life.
Narrator:
For more information, contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation office, call the Evaluation Center at 1-800-422-6240, or visit us on the web at: evaluationcenter.scvrd.net.
End of transcript.