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 is a Vocational Expert, Rehabilitation Counselor and Lifecare Planner.
1 hour CLE
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Program Summary
Powerful Data, No Easy Button
The Occupational Requirements Survey is a powerful and robust data set — but power is not the same as plug-and-play. ORS requires knowledge and expert interpretation, and there is no easy button or software solution to implementing it. This session examines what that demands, from both the VE and the system perspective.
The stakes sit in the standard itself. Any data used in the Social Security system should be valid, reliable, and properly utilized. Use ORS without the knowledge it requires, and the interpretation suffers. Treat a software output as a substitute for expert judgment, and the decision built on it is compromised.
You walk out with a working understanding of ethical and responsible ORS use: what expert interpretation of the data set requires, how the VE and system perspectives each frame that responsibility, and how proper utilization supports the Social Security Administration in making the correct decision.
Eligible for up to 1 CLE Credit Hour
This session was originally submitted for CLE as a live, in-person presentation and a live webcast for the 2026 Fall National Conference and may be eligible for self-study credit. Each state handles self-study credit differently; for questions, please consult your State Bar Association.
Recorded Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Key topics to be discussed:
- The ORS Data Set
What makes ORS a powerful and robust data set — and why it requires knowledge and expert interpretation. - The VE Perspective
What ethical and responsible ORS use looks like from the VE's side of the table. - The System Perspective
How the Social Security system's responsibilities frame the proper utilization of ORS. - Validity and Reliability
The standard governing any data used in the Social Security system: valid, reliable, and properly utilized. - No Software Shortcut
Why there is no easy button or software solution to implementing ORS — and what that means in practice. - Getting the Decision Right
How ethical and responsible ORS use ensures the Social Security Administration makes the correct decision.
This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.
Date / Time: October 13, 2026
- 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
- 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Central
- 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Mountain
- 10:30 am – 11:30 am Pacific
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
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.
Agenda
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.
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