Neurological Vocational Services Unit

Empowering Independence Through Employment

Unlocking potential, one person, one job at a time

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Don’t forget to get your tickets for our annual NVS Spring Fundraiser! Join us for an unforgettable evening of live music, delicious food, a thrilling auction, and a chance to learn more about what we do here at NVSU!

Sunday, May 18, 2025 - 12pm to 3pm

Let us help you uncover your potential and find the right career path. Neurology Vocational Services Unit (NVSU) provides a full range of employment services for individuals living with neurological conditions to support their journey to independence with passion and expertise. NVSU operates at Harborview Medical Center, and is part of the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. NVSU receives support from the non-profit, Neurological Vocational Services, NVS.

Partner with NVSU to access qualified job candidates tailored to your business needs and benefit from valuable employee incentives.

Explore the comprehensive services offered by NVSU to help you secure and maintain employment. Reach out to us today and start your journey towards a fulfilling career!

Let NVSU provide vocational services to your clients. DVS and DSB counselors are encouraged to submit client referrals to get the process started.

Discover the many ways you can volunteer for NVSU or NVS to create positive change and empower those in need. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community

“NVSU played a crucial role in setting me up to obtain and maintain employment. They helped me refine key skills such as reading and interpreting body language, which enhanced my communication and understanding in professional settings. The program also emphasized the importance of appropriate self-disclosure, ensuring I knew how to balance sharing personal information while maintaining professionalism. Through their focus on professional communication, I became more effective in my interactions with colleagues and supervisors. Additionally, I learned how to be approachable and manage impulsivity, both of which have been vital in fostering positive work relationships and navigating workplace dynamics.”

“Social skills not only helped me with not only what I can look for with social ques, but it also helped with effective listening”

“I will continue to use and practice my skills in the future!”

“The class helped me disclose and be more aware of my ticks!”

“I feel more confident in handling conflicts better”

“[The topics] were all new and full of information critical to the development of my nearly non-existent social skills”

Dr. Robert T. Fraser Tribute

We honor the memory of Dr. Robert “Bob” Fraser, PhD, MPA, a dedicated faculty member at the University of Washington. Dr. Fraser developed the Neurological Vocational Services Unit in the 1970s, realizing his vision of supporting people through employment services. He began with individuals diagnosed with epilepsy and quickly expanded to serve those with a wide range of neurological conditions due to the high demand for his quality support. His extensive research, numerous publications, and commitment to rehabilitation psychology made a profound impact on the field. Dr. Fraser emulated loving what you do and doing what you love, with family, friends, and collaborators. Dr. Fraser’s legacy continues to inspire and guide our mission, and to honor his remarkable work, we created the Robert T. Fraser Giving Society. Through this society, we celebrate his memory and ensure his vision of empowering individuals through vocational services endures. He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, patients, and community.

For more information, please visit In Memoriam: Robert "Bob" Fraser.

Our 2024 Sponsors