Office of Disability Concerns

Client Assistance Program

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is an advocacy program established by Section 112 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Act)*. Each State and Territory of the United States has a CAP to help individuals with disabilities get the services they need to prepare for, keep or get employment from programs funded under the Act. In Oklahoma CAP is administered through the Oklahoma Office of Disability Concerns, located at 1111 N Lee Ave, Suite 500, OKC, OK 73103. The purpose of this program is to:

Advise and inform clients and client applicants of all services and benefits available to them through programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Act), as amended;
Assist and advocate for clients and client applicants in their relationships with projects, programs, and community rehabilitation programs providing services under the Act; and
Inform individuals with disabilities in Oklahoma, especially individuals with disabilities who have traditionally been unserved or underserved by vocational rehabilitation programs, of the services and benefits available to them under the Act and under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. 12101-12213.

CAP is an advocacy program for applicants and clients of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Centers for Independent Living (CIL) and other programs authorized under the Act. An individual with a disability who is not applying for or receiving services from a program funded under the Act is eligible only for information and referral services.

CAP is not a part of Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) the agency that provides VR service in Oklahoma. There are two organizations in DRS that serve people with disabilities seeking employment. They are:

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and
The Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI).

Both DVR and DVS provide services that help people with disabilities prepare for, keep, or get a job. Some of the services are:

Evaluations and tests;
Medical services;
Counseling and guidance;
Work training (including college, technical schools, on-the-job training, etc.);
Assistive technology services and devices;
Interpreter services (if you have a hearing impairment);
Orientation and mobility training (if you have a visual disability);
Supported employment (job coaches and other supports on a job);
Transportation (to get to services);
Personal assistance services (on- or off-the-job); and
Other services to reach a work goal.

A work goal usually is a job in the community with an established business, but can be a job at home or self-employment. If a client’s goal is to work in a regular job in the community then the VR agency can assist in preparing for this goal.

CAP can help a DRS client or applicant better understand the Vocational Rehabilitation system. The program helps settle complaints informally, but it can also help a client or applicant with representation during an administrative review or a mediation or fair hearing. Clients are not required to use the Oklahoma Client Assistance Program to dispute any actions affecting their rehabilitation program or appeal a decision of the Department of Rehabilitation Services staff. Client options also include acting as their own representative, asking a friend or family member to act as their representative or hiring legal counsel at their own expense.

Clients of DRS should receive a CAP brochure notifying them of the client’s appeal rights when they apply for services, when a change is made in the plan of services or when services are delayed or denied.

Applying to CAP for help...

In order for CAP to provide assistance you must complete the form listed below. Once you have completed the information you must print, sign and send the form to the address listed. If you need assistance in completing the form please contact us. CAP staff will contact you for any additional information needed to process your case as soon as possible. You are not required to use the Client Assistance Program to dispute any actions affecting your rehabilitation program or appeal a decision of the Department of Rehabilitation Services staff. You may represent yourself, ask a friend or family member to act as your representative or hire legal counsel at your own expense.

PRIVACY STATEMENT: The Client Assistance Program will not condition service on your agreement to authorize disclosure of your health information. CAP may, however, require that you authorize disclosure of your health information if needed to make a determination about your eligibility for benefits from the Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Authorization for Release of Information pdf

Authorization for Release of Information text.(3KB)

If you wish for another person to represent you in addition to yourself, when CAP is your advocate, you may sign a release of information for yourself and sign this second party release of information giving that person’s name.

2nd Party Authorization for Release of Information pdf. (17KB)

2nd Party Authorization for Release of Information text.(3KB)

Services provided by CAP:

Information about the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and amendments.
Information about benefits available to clients and applicants through the Vocational Rehabilitation program.
Mediation between counselors, facilities and clients to resolve problems.
Assist clients and applicants in pursuing all available remedies to ensure the protection of their rights.
Educate the public about the CAP program and Vocational Rehabilitation.
Provide outreach to traditionally unserved or underserved individuals with disabilities.
Outreach to individuals with disabilities from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.

Keeping Appointments: You must keep appointments you make with your VR counselor. If you are unable to do so, be sure to call and notify your counselor. If you are in training or on the job, it is your responsibility to follow up on your counselor's recommendations.

Work With Your Counselor: It is your responsibility to stay in touch with your VR counselor. Call or see your counselor as soon as you have a question or problem.

Rehabilitation Plan: Your rehabilitation plan is for your benefit. You must participate in the plan for it to succeed. You should keep records of all documents regarding your VR plan. Keep your counselor aware of your goals in your VR program.

You Should Call CAP If You -

are experiencing an undue delay in the processing of an application or services requested
have been denied eligibility and do not understand the reason for the denial
have been denied services to which you feel you are entitled
have problems with your VR program that you have not been able to resolve with your counselor
have questions regarding the services and benefits available from Vocational Rehabilitation
have problems with other agencies or training facilities that are preventing you from reaching your rehabilitation goals.

How To Contact CAP.

To request assistance for yourself or someone you know: in Oklahoma City call (405) 521-3756 Voice/TDD or Statewide (800) 522-8224 or email us.

CAP business hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Visit these sites for additional information on vocational rehabilitation services:

Assistive Technology Project of Oklahoma: ABLE Tech

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

National Disability Rights Network

United States Office of Personnel Management - Federal Employment of People with Disabilities

After High School graduation many people with disabilities continue to work toward vocational and employment goals. Some Rehabilitation services are available to eligible individuals without charge. At this point, depending on their income and financial resources, some individuals may be asked to share the cost of services.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the U.S. Department of Education is providing the information at the link below to explain the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities who are preparing to attend post secondary schools. The pamphlet also explains the obligations of a post secondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure that the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html

A discussion of Higher Education's obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the ADA can be found here:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/auxaids.html

Section 504

Call 1-800-421-3481 for more information on Section 504 and the ADA and their application to auxiliary aids and services for disabled students in post secondary schools, or to obtain additional assistance for Oklahoma residents in filing 504 related complaints contact:

Office for Civil Rights, Kansas City Office
U.S. Department of Education
8930 Ward Parkway
Suite 2037
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 268-0550; FAX# (816) 823-1404

Call

Oklahoma City Office,
2915 Classen Blvd. 300 Cameron Building, OKC, OK 73106
(405) 525-7755 (V/TDD)
(800) 880-7755 (V/TDD)
Fax: (405) 525-7759

Or in the Tulsa area call:

Tulsa Office
2828 East 51 Street, Suite 302, Tulsa, OK 74105, (918) 743-6220 (V/TDD)
(800) 226-5883 (V/TDD), Fax: (918) 743-7157

Department of Education's demonstration projects to ensure quality Higher Education for students with disabilities are discussed here:

http://www.ed.gov/programs/disabilities/resources.html

Prohibited Disability Harassment -- Reminder of Responsibilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act:

"...vital issue that affects students in school - harassment based on disability."

Report fraud, waste or abuse of Department of Education (ED) funds

If you want to report fraud, waste or abuse of Department of Education (ED) funds the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Hotline is available as a direct line of communication for ED employees and contract personnel as well as private citizens. The OIG Hotline may be reached by dialing toll free 1-800-647-8733, at 1-800-MISUSED or commercial (202) 205-5770. Letters can be sent to U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1510, ATTN: OIG Hotline, MES Building, Room 4127 or via e-mail to oig.hotline@ed.gov

The information available in the sites listed above is provided to facilitate your research; neither the Client Assistance Program nor the State of Oklahoma assumes responsibility for the content contained within these sites. Some of the listed links may take you to private for-profit companies. No endorsement to these companies or the services they provide is implied. These links will be updated as required.