Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center

The Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) is an innovative, residential vocational rehabilitation training facility that serves adults who are legally blind by helping them learn alternative techniques to prepare for, find or retain employment, attend a college, university or trade school, and live independently in the community.

CCRC is named in honor of Judge Criss Cole, who lost his sight while serving as a Marine during World War II. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1955 to 1962, and the Texas Senate from 1963 to 1970, he was instrumental in improving state services for all people with disabilities.

The Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) provides individualized services to meet the needs of eligible adults through the following programs.

Proficiency Training Program

Participate in individualized instruction to develop skills needed to achieve your employment goal. Training options may include reading and writing Braille, personal navigation skills (Orientation and Mobility) with an assistive device such as a long white cane, guide dog, or electronic travel aids, training in technology and assistive devices, meal preparation and organizational skills Woodshop, seminar and recreational activities are offered to increase confidence and begin the adjustment to blindness process.

Career Focus Training Program

Learn skills to achieve your identified academic and career goals. Training options and activities may include job-search skills training, participation in the Work Experience Program to receive on-the-job training, Business Enterprise of Texas (BET) program, self-employment, college preparation training and advanced technology training in common workplace technologies.

Other Training

CCRC provides frequent special group skills training opportunities in areas such as Employment Bootcamp, College Prep and the Youth to Adult program. The trainings may occur annually or as the need arises.

The Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) is located at 4800 North Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas, and is accessible by bus or car.

• By Bus: Use Capitol Metro bus route #5-Woodrow/South 5th or the #803 Domain/Westgate. Exit the bus on Sunshine Drive at Criss Cole.

• By Car: Going north on Lamar Boulevard, pass 45th Street.  Turn left into the circular drive (marked 4800 North Lamar), and proceed to the parking garage.  You may park in any unreserved spot in the parking garage, along Sunshine Drive (directly west of the CCRC building) or in the visitor spaces of the CCRC parking lot.