 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 2401
NW 23rd, Suite 90 73107 (Shepherd Mall). 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 Visual Services (DVS).
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,
self-employment, or in a sheltered setting. 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 contacts 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: Disclosure of the social security number
is voluntary and is requested for the purpose of accurate
identification of your rehabilitation case. Failure to disclose a
social security number will not affect the disclosure of other
information. 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. (62KB)
Authorization for Release of
Information text.(2KB)
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. |
Client's responsibilities.
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 as best you can.
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
Click to open a CAP feedback form
in pdf format.
CAP brochure:
pdf version
text version
Necesite una versión española del folleto del PAC? (Need a
Spanish version of the CAP brochure?):
pdf version
text version
A traducir esta página a otra lengua, vaya aquí. (To
translate this page into another language, go here.):
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
"It is Ability not
disability that counts"
Visit these sites for additional information on vocational
rehabilitation services:
*The
Rehabilitation Act
Assistive Technology Project of Oklahoma: ABLE Tech
Assistive
Technology Center of Oklahoma: OATC
Oklahoma
Department of Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation Desk References
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 postsecondary schools.
The pamphlet also explains the obligations of a postsecondary
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
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 postsecondary 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
For assistance with filing complaints of violations of the ADA
or Section 504 contact the Oklahoma Disability Law Center on
line at:
http://home.flash.net/~odlcokc/
Or 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.
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