VCU news

By Laura O’Brien

With decades-long contributions to rehabilitation research and policy that has supported individuals with disabilities, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Paul Wehman has been honored with the 2025 National Distinguished Career Award from the Association for Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education.

Wehman, Ph.D., has been a faculty member since 1976 and currently serves as the interim director of VCU’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, having held the permanent role from 1983 to 2023.

His research and leadership have helped millions worldwide gain and retain competitive employment while navigating the challenges of neurodevelopmental disabilities and injuries to the brain and spinal cord.

Wehman is a professor in the VCU School of Education’s Department of Counseling and Special Education and holds a joint appointment in the School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition to his groundbreaking work in the field of supported employment, Wehman has been instrumental in shaping policies that support the transition from school to adulthood for individuals with disabilities.

“There is no doubt that Paul Wehman’s work has changed lives, and this recognition is a testament to his dedication and pioneering research,” said Kathleen Rudasill, Ph.D., senior associate dean of the School of Education. “His contributions to supported employment and rehabilitation research have made a lasting impact on the field, and we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.”

"Paul is not only a great scholar but is also a passionate advocate for the employment and community integration of people with disabilities,” said David Strauser, Ph.D., president of the Association for Rehabilitation, Research, Policy and Education and a professor of kinesiology and community health at the University of Illinois. “His research, advocacy, and passion are unmatched, and he serves as a role model for using research to inform and drive practice.”

Wehman and Strauser have collaborated for years on vocational rehabilitation research and practice, focusing on implementing evidence-based strategies to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Wehman is the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, which for three decades has been a key platform for rehabilitation counselors, special educators, psychologists and occupational therapists – and how their roles intersect with supported and customized employment,  school-to-work transitions and return-to-work programs for individuals with disabilities.

Wehman has authored over 200 journal articles, 114 book chapters and 43 books, focusing on topics such as school-to-adulthood transitions and special education related to employment.

Throughout his career, he has been the principal investigator on more than $90 million in federal and state grants.

“With this latest accolade, Wehman solidifies his legacy as a rehabilitation research and advocacy leader and paves the way for a brighter future in the field,” said Patrick Mullen, Ph.D., chair of the School of Education’s Department of Counseling and Special Education. “His work reinforces VCU’s commitment to advancing inclusive education and employment opportunities for all, inspiring us to continue the journey he has started.”

Through his work with RRTC, Wehman pioneered research and programming in supported employment at VCU in the early 1980s, and he has been instrumental in implementing this approach for individuals with severe disabilities, including autism.

Established in 1983, RRTC provides resources for professionals, individuals with disabilities, and their representatives. RRTC’s team of nationally and internationally renowned researchers is committed to developing and advancing evidence-based practices to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities. In 2024, RRTC was awarded two major federal awards totaling $8.8 million to fund five-year studies on employment for youth transitioning to the workforce and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 2009, Wehman applied for a grant to establish RRTC’s Project SEARCH, which provides a one-year work training experience for young adults aged 18-21 with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Today, Project SEARCH, with the support of business partners, serves students at 21 locations across Virginia and has an 85% success rate in helping students find meaningful jobs after graduation from the program.

Wehman was presented with his national award in late February at the association’s national conference in Savannah, Georgia. Among numerous other honors, he received VCU’s Distinguished Scholarship Award in 2018 and its Distinguished Service Award in 2001.