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VR Program Celebrates 100 Years

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is celebrating its national centennial!

To recognize 100 years of service, here's a history of VR in Arizona

View Vocational Rehabilitation Program timeline text. 

For more information, please visit the VR webpage. 

  • A VR office in the 1960s.
    A VR office in the 1960s.
  • an old newspaper clipping
    A success story in a 1967 Voc. Rehab newsletter.
  • old newspaper clipping
    (From left to right) Project Director for DVR Gerald McCue, Governor Jack Williams and DVR Director M.W. Holdship in 1967
  • two men working with a large metal machine
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • man working with a large machine
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • several men working on a car
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • man working with a large machine
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • men working with heavy machinery
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • a group of business professionals stand in front of a building
    The dedication of the Arizona Training Center for the Handicapped in Tucson. VR Director M.W. Holdship in the middle.
  • office workers stand around a man sitting at a desk
    Bill Whalen with the Arizona Training Center in Tucson observing a workshop - 1970.
  • a old flyer reads "Golden Anniversary of Rehabilitation in America"
    A program for an event recognizing 50 years of Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • a man working on a large machine
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • a man working on a large machine
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • a man leans over a welding machine
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • an old newspaper clipping
    Article published in 1970 commemorating 50 years of VR. Image depicts a handicapped woman getting out of car in the 1920's. Credit: Dennis Farrell/Phoenix Gazette
  • an old newspaper clipping with photo
    Phoenix Gazette newspaper clipping about a Texas Rehabilitation Service in 1933 that is similar to DES' Business Enterprise Program.
  • business professionals sitting at desks
    Top two: Gov. Jack Williams; Middle right: DVR Director M.W. Holdship; Bottom right: Tucson Supervisor C.F. Orvis; Bottom left: Charlotte Campillo, secretary to C.F. Orvis.
  • an old newspaper clipping
    Arizona Republic newspaper clipping on the formation of DES.
  • several men working on upholstery
    Inmates at the Florence Prison Complex were able to receive vocational training through a joint program with Vocational Education and Vocational Rehabilitation.
  • several men stand inside a workshop; a camera man stands in a corner
    Chaps rehabilitation program at Ft. Grant prison in Wilcox. This is a psychodrama being enacted.
  • several men working in a shop
    Vocational training in heavy duty mechanics at Arizona State Industrial School (Arizona Training Center for the Handicapped in Tucson).
  • an old newspaper clipping
    Arizona Republic article on the formation of DES.
  • an old newspaper clipping
    Arizona Republic clipping about the formation of DES.
  • old document with photo of two businessmen and a businesswoman
    Rep. Reuben Ortega presenting an award to a VR client in 1992.
  • an old document with a photo of a young man standing between a man and woman
    Rep. Ruth Solomon presenting an award to a VR client in 1992.
  • an old document with a photo of a three women
    Sen. Patricia Noland presenting an award to a VR client in 1992.
  • an old document with a photo of a man in top left corner
    A VR success story from 2005.
  • an old document with two photos of men working in a shop
    VR success story from 2005.
  • old document shows photo of man in top left; photo of man and woman in bottom right
    VR success story from 2005.
  • a group of business professionals stand before a backdrop that reads E75
    The E75 conference on Feb. 19, 2020. The conference is meant to promote employer knowledge on blind and visually impaired individuals, and how they can be an asset to organizations.

By Ben Flores

June 2, 2020
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