Division Of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Purpose

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is designed to assist eligible individuals with disabilities prepare for work and become gainfully employed.  An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed with each eligible individual, which outlines the individual’s program for attaining his/her employment goal. Services provided by VR may include counseling, guidance, job placement, vocational, college or other training, assistive technology evaluations, equipment and training, personal assistance services while receiving VR services, and other services based on individual needs.

Contact(s)

Mark Kinnison, Administrator, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation,
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services website
3535 NW 58th St., Ste. 500
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
(405) 951-3470 (TDD)
(800) 845-8476 (TDD)
FAX: (405) 951-3529

William Ginn, Director,
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
Office of Disability Concerns
2401 NW 23rd, Ste. 90
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
(405) 521-3756
(800) 522-8224
FAX: (405) 522-6695
www.ok.gov/odc/C.A.P./index.html

Eligibility

  • An individual:
    • must have a physical or mental impairment, which constitutes or results in an impediment to employment;
    • can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from VR services; and,
    • requires VR services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment.
  • An individual who has a disability or is blind and is a Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) beneficiary or a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient is presumed to meet eligibility criteria if that individual intends to achieve an employment outcome.

AT Services Provided/Covered

  • Assessments & Evaluations
  • Information & Referral
  • Case Management
  • Locating Alternate Funding
  • Fabrication of Devices
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Training for Consumer & Family

AT Devices Provided/Covered

  • Aids for Daily Living
  • Speech Communication
  • Aids for Hearing Impaired
  • Environmental Adaptations
  • Aids for Vision Impaired
  • Mobility/Seating & Positioning
  • Computers & Related
  • Vehicle Modifications

Pieces of the Puzzle

  • Under the rehabilitation counseling and employment program, consumers and counselors work together to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
  • The IPE is an individualized program of services based around a core of comprehensive evaluation, vocational counseling, and job placement that are needed to assist the person in attaining his or her employment goal. Any assistive technology the person needs for employment must be included in this plan. However, AT devices and services may be essential to help the person demonstrate vocational capabilities and are an essential part of a comprehensive evaluation.
  • The DRS counselor along with an AT Specialist will assist in accessing necessary AT devices and services to meet employment needs.
  • Once a decision has been made to supply an eligible client with assistive technology, it may be possible to provide a wide range of devices if they are vocationally relevant. However, DRS cannot buy devices that other sources can buy or that ADA requires other sources to provide.
  • The cost of some services, such as medical examinations to determine if a person is eligible for vocational rehabilitation, and counseling and job placement, are provided at no charge to the client. For some other services such as assistive technology, a client may have to share in the cost, depending on his or her income and resources. Private health insurance will be filed as a first pay source for all medical services.
  • The DRS State Plan has provisions, during times of limited resources, to serve clients under an order of selection which means some eligible applicants may be placed on waiting lists until funds are available to pay for services. Consumers are encouraged to apply for services during an order of selection because those on waiting lists will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • DRS has the authority to purchase consumer equipment and services through an agency-adopted bid process rather than going through the state bid process, thus allowing greater consumer choice and faster delivery.

Dispute Resolution Process

  1. If you are an applicant or client of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and have a concern and/or want to learn more about DRS, call the Client Assistance Program (CAP) at (405) 521-3756 #7.  CAP serves as your advocate to get a resolution. With a release of information, CAP can contact DRS staff on your behalf.
  2. CAP can request a Fair Hearing if resolution cannot be reached at lower levels.  The Fair Hearing must be scheduled within 60 days of request.  Mediation is available if the client desires and DRS consents.
  3. DRS clients or applicants may request a Fair Hearing without CAP involvement.  Call (405) 951-3552 to get a Request for Fair Hearing.  A written decision of the Hearing Officer will be made within 30 days of the Fair Hearing.
  4. It is possible to appeal an adverse decision from the Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer’s written decision will provide information.  The appeal beyond the Fair Hearing is final unless you choose to hire an attorney.  In such cases, litigation of your concern will be at your expense.