Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-1

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 612:10-7-1 - Overview of Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

(a) Vocational rehabilitation services are provided by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired to help eligible individuals achieve employment outcomes that are consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of each eligible individual. VR services for individuals are meant to result in competitive employment in an integrated setting. Vocational rehabilitation services include services for individuals and services to groups of individuals.

(b) Vocational rehabilitation services for an individual are prescribed in an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that is based on an assessment of the individual's rehabilitation needs, guidance provided by a qualified vocational rehabilitation professional and the individual's informed choice with regard to employment goal, services and service providers. Services may include but are not limited to:

(1) an assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs by qualified personnel, including, if appropriate, an assessment by personnel skilled in rehabilitation technology;

(2) counseling and guidance, including information and support services to assist an individual in exercising informed choice;

(3) referral and other services to secure needed services from other agencies through cooperative agreements if such services are not available from DVR or DSBVI;

(4) job-related services, including job search and placement assistance, customized employment services, services leading to self-employment, job retention services, ongoing services, supplemental employment services, support services for employment, and extended services;

(5) vocational and other training services, including the provision of personal and vocational adjustment services, books, tools, and other training materials;

(6) to the extent that financial support is not readily available from a source (such as health insurance or comparable services and benefits) other than DVR or DSBVI, diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental impairments;

(7) maintenance for additional costs incurred while participating in an assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs or while receiving services under an Individualized Plan for Employment;

(8) transportation, including training in the use of public transportation vehicles and systems, that is provided in connection with the provision of any other service described in this section and needed by the individual to participate in rehabilitation services or to achieve an employment outcome;

(9) on-the-job or other related personal assistance services provided while an individual is receiving other services described in this section;

(10) interpreter services provided by qualified personnel for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and reader services for individuals who are determined to be blind;

(11) rehabilitation teaching services, and orientation and mobility services, for individuals who are blind;

(12) occupational licenses, tools, equipment, and initial stocks and supplies;

(13) technical assistance and other consultation services to conduct market analyses, develop business plans, and otherwise provide resources, to the extent such resources are authorized to be provided through the statewide workforce investment system, to eligible individuals who are pursuing self-employment or telecommuting or establishing a small business operation as an employment outcome;

(14) rehabilitation technology, including rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology devices and assistive technology services;

(15) transition services for students with disabilities, that facilitate the achievement of the employment outcome identified in the Individualized Plan for Employment, and pre-employment transition services as described in 34 CFR 361.48(a) and 29 USC 733;

(16) supported employment services for individuals with the most significant disabilities that need ongoing support services from an employment consultant and/or job coach to maintain employment;

(17) employment and retention services for individuals with significant disabilities who require short term support from an employment consultant and/or job coach to obtain and maintain a successful employment outcome;

(18) transitional employment services for individuals with the most significant disabilities due to mental illness who have little or no successful work history and need work adjustment/trial work experience;

(19) work experiences, internships, and apprenticeships;

(20) services to the family of an individual with a disability necessary to assist the individual to achieve an employment outcome; and

(21) specific post-employment services necessary to assist an individual with a disability to maintain, retain, regain, or advance in employment.

(c) Vocational rehabilitation services for groups of individuals with disabilities are described in 34 CFR 361.49 and include:

(1) In the case of any type of small business operated by individuals with significant disabilities the operation of which can be improved by management services and supervision provided by DVR or DSBVI, the provision of such services and supervision, along or together with the acquisition by DVR or DSBVI of vending facilities or other equipment and initial stocks and supplies.

(2) Equipment for clients who are going into self-employment requires prior approval from RSA.

(3) Transition services to youth and students with disabilities who may not have applied or been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, that involve collaboration of a vocational rehabilitation counselor with education agencies, programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities, businesses, workforce programs, independent living centers, housing and transportation authorities and related entities. Such services are to benefit a group of youth or students with disabilities and may not be individualized services related to an individual plan for employment. Services may include group tours of training programs and businesses, career fairs, interview practice, resume writing, and other group activities that support future employability.

(4) High school students who have a disability and are not clients of the DRS, but are going to a conference or camp to provide them with the necessary tools and education for employment requires prior approval from RSA.

(5) The use of telecommunications systems (including telephone, television, video description services, tactile-vibratory devices, satellite, radio, and other similar systems) that have the potential for substantially improving delivery methods of activities described in this section and developing appropriate programming to meet the particular needs of individuals with disabilities;

(6) Special services to provide access to information for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind including:

(A) the use of telecommunications, Braille, sound recordings, or other appropriate media;

(B) captioned television, films, or video cassettes for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;

(C) tactile materials for individuals who are deaf-blind; and

(D) other special services that provide information through tactile, vibratory, auditory, and visual media.

(7) Technical assistance to businesses that are seeking to employ individuals with disabilities.

(8) Consultative and technical assistance services to assist educational agencies in planning for the transition of students with disabilities from school to post-school activities, including employment.

(9) The establishment, development or improvement of assistive technology demonstration, loan, reutilization or financing programs in coordination with activities authorized under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.

(10) The establishment, development or improvement of a community rehabilitation program that is used to provide vocational rehabilitation services that promote integration into the community and prepare individuals with disabilities for competitive integrated employment.

Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-1

Added at 10 Ok Reg 4633, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2449, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2904, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1711, eff 4-13-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2590, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1771, eff 7-1-03; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1975, eff 7-1-06; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1687, eff 7-1-08; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1589, eff 7-1-10; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1832, eff 7-1-11

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 32, Issue 23, August 17, 2015, eff. 8/27/2015

Amended by Oklahome Register, Volume 33, Issue 23, August 15, 2016, eff. 8/25/2016

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 34, Issue 24, September 1, 2017, eff. 9/11/2017

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 37, Issue 24, September 1, 2020, eff. 9/11/2020

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 40, Issue 22, August 1, 2023, eff. 8/11/2023

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 41, Issue 22, August 1, 2024, eff. 8/11/2024