Supporting job seekers with disabilities is more challenging than ever. Staffing shortages, high turnover, and fewer in-person visits are stretching vocational rehabilitation (VR) teams thin. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) can help - not by replacing the human connection, but by strengthening it.
Across the country, AI is helping VR programs save time, improve follow-up, and better meet the needs of the people they serve. Here are three ways it’s already making a difference.
Using AI to Improve Intake: An Example from yolBe
TACQE partner yolBe created Hello, an AI tool that replaces paper forms with a chat-style assistant named Sam. Sam asks job seekers about their work history, interests, and support needs, then suggests jobs, training programs, or resources based on their responses.
In pilot programs in Michigan and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, using Sam led to:
- Intake completion rates jumping from under 5% to over 90%.
- Over 40% faster processing times.
- More clients identifying support needs.
- Less paperwork for staff and better follow-up.
Another AI tool from yolBe, called Max, helps agencies set up and manage the system.
Take a few moments to learn more about yolBe’s pilot programs MiLife project and Direct Connect MKE.
Smarter Communication with SARA
The Semi-Autonomous Rehabilitation Assistant (SARA) is another AI tool now being piloted by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center on Quality Management (VRTAC-QM) in four states. Originally developed under WINTAC, SARA helps VR agencies stay connected with clients and collect accurate, real-time updates, especially about employment and income.
SARA is being used to improve Social Security reimbursement by gathering the information State VR Agencies (SVRAs) need to report on consumers who receive Social Security benefits. This helps increase program income, which means more resources for service delivery.
SARA communicates through text, email, chat, and video. Each interaction creates a case note and can trigger follow-up alerts for staff—all without manual data entry.
The VRTAC-QM pilot includes:
- Four SVRAs over two years.
- Built-in training and evaluation.
- A focus on improving the accuracy and timeliness of data reporting.
Learn more about SARA
Generative AI Tools: Support, Not Replacement
As AI tools like ChatGPT and others become more common, it’s essential for VR professionals to use them responsibly. At TACQE’s 2025 National Symposium on Quality Employment, the session “The Ethical Implications of Generative AI in VR” outlined key practices to guide ethical use:
- Transparency – Let clients know when AI is being used and what it does.
- Fairness – Review outputs to avoid bias in decision-making.
- Privacy – Protect sensitive information and follow data laws.
- Human oversight – Use AI to support, not replace, professional judgment and relationships.
Used thoughtfully, AI can help VR professionals:
- Save time on repetitive tasks.
- Collect and share better data.
- Provide more personalized, timely services.
The key is keeping people at the center. AI isn’t here to take over - it’s here to help us serve better, more efficiently, and with greater impact.