Oklahoma Vocational Rehabilitation

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services oversees the Vocational Rehabilitation program, and its purpose is to help those with disabilities get the help they need to become a viable option for employment. There are three divisions within the agency, and they are:

1. Rehabilitative Services
2. Visual Services
3. Disability Determination

Of course, the first step towards receiving this training and these services is to qualify for the program, and there are three requirements to be deemed eligible for vocational rehabilitation. A person must:

1. Have a physical or mental impairment which results in a substantial impediment to employment;

2. Can benefit in terms of employment outcomes from vocational rehabilitation services;

3. Requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter or retain gainful employment.

These requirements are quoted directly from the Department of Rehabilitation Services’ Web site, and they must be met in order to receive the benefits they offer.

Obtaining Vocational Rehabilitation in Oklahoma

Below is an excerpt from Oklahoma’s Vocational Rehabilitation program’s Web site:

Step 1: Applying for services Staff will arrange for you to make an application and meet with a vocational rehabilitation counselor so you can provide the information needed for Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or Division of Visual Services to determine if you are eligible for services. You can speed up the application process by bringing current medical, psychological and/or educational records or other information about your disability with you to the appointment.

Step 2: Evaluating your disability DVR/DVS must evaluate your disability to find out if you are eligible. You may be asked to help get medical or other records. If additional tests are needed, DVR/DVS will pay for the tests needed to determine your eligibility. The purposes of the evaluation are to gather diagnostic information and explore your background, abilities, disability-related barriers to employment and rehabilitation needs.

Step 3: Determining your eligibility DVR/DVS has 60 days from the time you apply to determine whether or not you are eligible for services unless you and your counselor agree to an extension. Even when you are not eligible for VR services or when you are placed on a waiting list, DVR/DVS will provide vocational rehabilitation information and referral assistance to help you obtain services from other sources.

Step 4: Planning your services If you are eligible, your DVR/DVS counselor will provide information about choices you have for developing an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). This is a plan of VR services that you will follow to get or keep suitable employment in an appropriate career. You will have the opportunity to choose an appropriate employment goal, the vocational rehabilitation services to be provided under your plan, the businesses or companies that will provide the services and the methods for providing those services.

Step 5: Receiving Vocational Rehabilitation Services The primary vocational rehabilitation (VR) services are counseling and guidance with job placement. Other services compensate for, correct or prevent disability-based barriers to employment.

Step 6: Getting a job Your counselor will assist you in finding a job. We also have job placement specialists who work with counselors and potential employers to match qualified consumers with suitable employment. Generally, your VR case will be closed after you have worked successfully for 90 days.

Step 7: Using post-employment services You may be eligible for post-employment services to help keep your job, get your job back, move ahead on your job or move to a better job. If you need a lot of assistance, you may be asked to reapply for services.