The Ethical and Responsible Use of the Occupational Requirements Survey: VE and System Perspectives – NOSSCR 2026 Fall National Conference – Track I (Presented by National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives)

Michelle Aliff, Ph.D., CRC, CVE, CLCP, Vocational Expert, Rehabilitation Counselor and Lifecare Planner | Aliff Vocational Consultants, LLC

Michelle Aliff, Ph.D., CRC, CVE, CLCP is a Vocational Expert, Rehabilitation Counselor and Lifecare Planner.

• Education & Credentials

Dr. Aliff has a Ph.D. in Special Education and a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Dr. Aliff is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Vocational Evaluator Specialist (CVE) and Certified Lifecare Planner (CLCP).

• Recognition & Leadership

Dr. Alif was appointed to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data User Advisory Committee, where she provided feedback on all BLS data products.

• Professional Involvement

Dr. Aliff has served her profession through IARP. She currently serves as chair of the Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee and Special Projects director, focusing on governmental affairs and policy. She also served as Past Chair of the IARP SSVE board after four years as Chair. She served on the CRCC board, last serving as Vice President in 2022.

• Experience

She began her career in the private sector. She was subsequently recruited for an assistant professor position in the Master’s of Rehabilitation Counseling Program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. After six years, she decided she greatly missed private practice and started her own in Texas. She has provided and continues to provide vocational rehabilitation services to numerous populations for over 20 years. Dr. Aliff provides expert testimony regarding a person’s ability to work, potential earning capacity, and future care needs resulting from injury or medical condition in state and federal courts. She testifies in cases related to personal injury, discrimination, wrongful death, and ADA accommodations. She also serves as a vocational expert in the Social Security system.

SESSION 1 – The Ethical and Responsible Use of the Occupational Requirements Survey: VE and System Perspectives | 1:30pm – 2:30pm

This session will cover the ethical and responsible use of ORS from a VE and system perspective. ORS is a powerful and robust data set that requires knowledge and expert interpretation. Any data used in the Social Security system should be valid, reliable, and properly utilized. There is no easy button or software solution to implementing ORS. ORS must be used ethically and responsibly to ensure that the Social Security Administration makes the correct decision.