Informational Videos

1st man: Most people with disabilities just want to be treated like everybody else. They want to have the same opportunities.

2nd man: We want what everybody else wants. You know we want to be accepted.

3rd man: People with disabilities want freedom. We want to be able to self-sufficient and not have to depend on a lot of services for help.

4th man: Want an opportunity to be back in the workforce to provide for their families, to help their own personal image. Trust me, it’s no fun to sit at home.

5th man: I had trouble getting employed. So I chose to go through voc rehab. They helped me go to school, get a degree, find a job and now, I am on my own.

4th man: To get back into society and be productive, I needed to be trained. DRS provided me that opportunity.

1st woman: People with disabilities want to be able to have access to anything especially their personal and professional goals without any barriers.

Voice over (VO): That’s where the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services can help.

VO: This state agency, known as DRS, assists over one hundred thousand Oklahomans with disabilities each year. As a result, people graduate, go to work, qualify for disability benefits and become more self-sufficient members of their communities.

For example, Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services help Oklahomans with disabilities prepare for good jobs in the careers of their choice.

These divisions operate programs that help people adjust to blindness and hearing loss by learning new skills that lead to independence.

Disability Determination reviews medical records to see if applicants are eligible for Social Security disability benefits because they are not able to work.

The Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee and Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur help residential students, those who commute and summer school students achieve their educational and career goals.

Both schools offer outreach services to families, local schools and their students who are blind or deaf across the state.

The Department of Rehabilitation Services operates dozens of programs that help Oklahomans lead more independent and productive lives.

Jason Price, VR Program Manager: After receiving VR services, I have gone from a social security recipient to an independent tax-paying home-owning citizen. So my life has improved tenfold.

VO: Vocational Rehabilitation introduces or reinstates people with physical or mental disabilities into the workforce.

As a result, employed clients become taxpayers, reducing their need for disability benefits and social services.

Dale Oard, Owner, All-Star Adverting and Promotions: It just makes you feel like you’re actually contributing to society. You’re actually go to be creating taxes and everything, paying taxes. Instead of feeling like you’re a burden.

VO: A person is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if he or she has a physical or mental disability that is a substantial barrier to employment. The individual must be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services which are required to prepare for and find a job.

Kelly Criser, OSD Kindergarten Teacher: VR helped me with paying for my college tuition, VR helped pay for my certification test, VR also had a career placement program that was available to me.

VO: VR services primarily consist of career counseling, vocational education and training, medical services to improve employment opportunities, special technology and job placement.

Stacye Alfred, VR Specialist: We use informed choice to help that client determine what’s best for them and to try to find jobs that are in job market are realistic for that person.

Charles Kelley, Maintenance Sam's Club: When I was in a wheelchair I didn’t think that I would be able to walk again. I was down a lot but my counselor really helped me, kept pushing, helped me out a lot on that.

VO: Vocational Rehabilitation also offers a head start on work experience for high school students with disabilities employment assistance from Services for the Deaf and free recruitment, job-related training and information about tax credits for employers.

Greg Gattis, Manager Sam's Club: Our employees with disabilities are very eager, very focused. They want to prove themselves. They want to show that they are just as capable as anyone else.

James West, crew leader, Michael Green Custom Homes: It’s given me a lot more confidence. My career is a lot better now. I went from struggling on jobs because my vision was so bad.

VO: Many Oklahomans who are blind or visually impaired turn to Visual Services for assistance through vocational rehabilitation, employment and other programs that encourage confidence and independence.

Tim Murphy, welder: They helped me in every way you could think of. How to put dishes away. How to remember where things are, little things that you never think about until you walk around with a blindfold on.

VO: Visual Services offers the same type of assistance as DRS’s Vocational Rehabilitation division career counseling, vocational education and training, medical services to improve employment opportunities, special technology and job placement. However, vocational rehabilitation is customized to help Oklahomans with visual impairments adjust to vision loss and develop skills needed to get or keep quality jobs.

Monique Stith, VR Counselor for Visual Services: Our primary purpose is employment. Once they become employed, the clients become taxpayers. Then they are able to pay into the system and get off of disability benefits, which gives them their autonomy and control back and the power to make choices and be advocates for themselves and for others as well.

VO: Clients are eligible if visual impairments make it difficult to work. They must be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services, which are required to prepare for and find jobs. Most services are free.

West: Well today I feel more confident. I am definitely more successful the depression is over with.

VO: Visual Services helps high school students get valuable vocational training and work experience and assists business owners who are blind in operating food service businesses in government buildings.

Michael Spencer, Owner, M&J Snack Bar: It gives you a support system. It gives you counselors. It gives you business consultants. It gives you the tools that you need, so it’s kind of hard to fail.

VO: Recruitment assistance is free to employers along with information on tax credits and training on the latest adaptive technology to help employees get the job done.

Spencer: It’s uplifting to know that you can make that change. You can go from the sighted world to a person with disabilities and have all the tools you need to still be successful

VO: Visual Services offers’ free classes and training at home to help clients adjust to vision loss and regain independence.

Pamela LaViolette: I was just sitting at home hoping somebody would come along and help me. I don’t have to do that now. I can get up do it myself.

VO: Visuals Services operates the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which mails thousands of free recorded books to patrons and provides free braille textbooks to public school students.

Kathleen Kennedy, OLBPH patron: We heavily, heavily, heavily rely on these books on tape so that we can listen to our books, get all the information we need, all the education that we need to continue to move forward.

VO: The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits to Oklahomans who can’t work due to a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death.

Bruce Smith, Professional relations Office: We look at each case on an individual basis and make sure that we make the correct decision on it. Because we do know that people's lives depend on it.

VO: Disability Determination is a division of the state Department of Rehabilitation Services. But the program is funded by the federal government to determine eligibility for Social Security disability benefits. Disability examiners and consulting physicians or psychologists work as a team on the medical review process. They decide whether or not applicants are disabled or blind based on medical evidence and federal rules and regulations.

Christy Washington, DD Specialist Level 4: In the event that the consumer’s medical records don’t have enough information or not the type of information we need, our agency will pay for a private exam in the community. So we can get the information we need to help the consumer.

VO: Children are evaluated based on their ability to perform age-appropriate activities. Cases are re-evaluated periodically to make sure that individuals receiving benefits are still disabled.

Washington: Here at DDD, the process of making all our medical records come in electronically has help to speed up the process and to be able to make decisions more quickly and efficiently.

Larry Jones, Social Security Administration Public Affairs Specialist: The thing I like about the Disability

Determination Division is the fact that their employees are really well trained and understand exactly what they are doing. They’ve had a remarkable accuracy rate, in fact it’s over 96% in the last year. They take over 50,000 cases a year from the offices around the state of Oklahoma.

VO: Disability Determination helps Oklahomans cope with loss of income due to disability. As a result, they gain more independence and make a better life for themselves and their families.

Smith: As a result of finding an allowance not only do the people receive benefits – the people that apply – sometimes their family members and it will raise the quality of life for the whole family not just the person who applies and is allowed.

Laquanna Sango, Senior: I love OSB things like – everything. I like everything about it, the food, the teachers, the way they help us, our accommodations.

VO: Located in Muskogee, the Oklahoma School for the Blind, also known as Parkview School, offers education programs, free of charge, for children with vision loss.

Students may live on campus during the week, commute from home or attend summer school programs.

Russell Rowland, Sophomore: What I like about going to school here is that the teachers – not only do they assist us but they teach us how to be independent in college. The school also provides us with the technologies that we will be needing in college. They teach us how to use them.

VO: Children from preschool age through high school benefit from small class sizes and individual instruction from highly skilled and dedicated educators.

Faye Miller, OSB teacher: OSB is the perfect environment for students with vision loss, because we have the expertise and we have the equipment here at our school to provide them with individualized instruction and really work on areas of concept development that they may not get using traditional methods.

VO: Students follow a fully accredited academic program and get instruction in areas specifically designed for people with vision loss.

Sango: I like the teachers. I like the teachers because they help us and they are sensitive to our needs. They help us with whatever problems we go through.

Valarie Wilson, OSB Life Skills Teacher: I’ve seen them grow from being kind of shy and backwards about their impairment to actually standing forth and saying this is what I need and this is what I can do just give me the chance.

VO: The Oklahoma School for the Blind provides thousands of free outreach services each year for students attending local public schools and their families.

Qualified staff provide evaluations, in-service training for teachers and recommendations for classroom modifications that help students reach their full potential.

Renee Miller, OSB Outreach: The outreach services here at the school for the blind, provide consultation, resources, and support services for individuals, professionals that work with students that are visually impaired.

Jana House, mother of Lauren, OSB Student: With the help of OSB, we feel like she’s been able to make leaps and bounds already. With their continued help, we know that she will be able to be a successful person.

Wendi O'Connor, Senior: I like being a student here at OSD because it is really easy for me to communicate with other people.

VO: The Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur provides educational services to students who are deaf and hard of hearing, free of charge.

Students may live on campus during the week, commute from home, attend satellite schools or participate in summer school programs.

Ross Price, 7th Grade: It’s better here. It’s more fun. The communication. Everything is cool. They have games, basketball, baseball. We have lots of fun. I really enjoy it. It’s better than before.

VO: Fully accredited educational programs and support services address students’ intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth.

Roxy Stallings, Sophomore: I came here. I am just happy. I think it’s a good thing for me.

VO: The Oklahoma School for the Deaf offers free early intervention, evaluations and equipment distribution programs to help students attending local public schools and their families.

Staff provide consultation regarding modifications to improve learning environments.

Traci Prince, Director of Student Assessment and Program Development: Family support, we have videos, we have books that we can loan them. We have a lending library. We have an equipment program where the student can receive services for telephones. We have a children’s hearing aid program as well as a caption media program that they can access for services for their child either at home or through the public school.

Carolyne Paradiso, parent of Kathleen, OSD student: Sometimes when they're in a public school setting despite the best efforts of the school they don’t always have a peer group. They don’t have a sense of community. So at OSD that’s one thing they get – is a community. Plus they still have a tie to home and that’s real important.

VO: Opening doors to opportunity. That’s the mission of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. With dedicated staff who understand and care about the people they serve. Programs and services designed to help people lead more self-sufficient and fulfilling lives. DRS staff open the door to success, but each person deserves the credit for walking through it to achieve their dreams. Contact the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services toll-free at 800-845-8476 or on the World Wide Web at okdrs.gov.

Copyright 2008 Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(Music)

Announcer: American Indians with disabilities who seek employment often walk alone on a frightening path, where their own skills and abilities are not easily recognized. Assisting tribal members with disabilities in preparing for and obtaining employment-based on each individual’s abilities and interest is the mission of the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation program located across the state of Oklahoma.

Many Nations, United Voices

Presented by Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Council and Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Announcer: Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs provide culturally appropriate services to any eligible American Indian. In order to receive services, you must be a member of a federally recognized tribe and live within the tribal vocational rehabilitation service area. You must be able and willing to gain employment after receiving rehabilitation services. Once you’re determined eligible, you and your VR counselor will develop a written plan based on your specific needs.

Types of services may include guidance and counseling, physical and mental restoration, training services, rehabilitation technology, job placement and other goods or services that determined necessary to help you go to work. Each Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation program has a working partnership with the state of Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. As a consumer, you have the option to work with both programs during the rehabilitation process.

Michael Jackson, Consumer: “It was not just a working relationship between them, but it was a team effort. They kept each other appraised of my support system, which was a large number of agencies.”

Announcer: The VR process unfolds into seven steps. They are Application, Evaluation, Determination of Eligibility, Planning, Receiving VR services, Employment, and Post-Employment Services.

When you meet with your counselor for the time, the counselor will explain the rehabilitation process and gather information such as medical history, work history, education, training, abilities, interests, needs, and employment goals.

Charles Sleeper, Counselor: “I ask what their interests are? What type of work experience they had before and what they will be interested in.”

Anita Selvidge, Counselor: “We just sit and discuss your goals. How your impediment affects your ability to work. What you feel your needs are to be employable.”

Announcer: You’ll also be informed of your rights and responsibilities including confidentiality of your personal information. Step required to fill counselor decisions and access to the client assistance program, which act as a client advocate.

Debby Wilson, Consumer: “I liked the idea that he was sensitive to privacy and was respectful of how I felt and he respectful of my needs. I didn’t have to worry about put-downs. I didn’t have to worry about judgments. I could be real free in how I spoke to him. He seemed to understand what I was going through.”

Announcer: You can speed up the application process by bringing information that is able to you such as medical, psychological and education records to your first meeting. The counselor will need the names of your doctors or therapists and any medications you are taking. If this information is not available you may be asked to sign release forms that permit your physician to provide medical records to the VR Office.

The tribal VR program will evaluate your disability to decide if you are eligible for services. If additional test are needed, the counselor may arrange an appointment with a physician, psychologist or other health care professionals.

There are many disabilities ranging from depression to chemical dependency to disabilities resulting from accident or illness. Just having a disability doesn’t necessarily mean that you are eligible for VR services. The disability must make it very difficult for you to get or keep a job.

If you are determined eligible for a tribal VR program, the next step will include you and your VR counselor developing a written individualize plan for employment or IPE. At this point, your tribal counselor and state Department of Rehabilitation counselor may work with you together if you are receiving services from both programs.

Anita Selvidge, Counselor: “And we’re going to sit down and we’re going to determine what you’re going to need to be successful. If it’s a two year college degree, if it’s day care, or if it’s transportation. We’re going to plan out these services together. Once we agree on these services, and this is how you’re going to reach your goal and we’ll both sign this agreement and start you on your path to employment.”

Announcer: Your VR counselor will provide information about choices you have in developing the plan. The IPE is a written record of services that will help you prepare for , find, keep or return to employment goal based on your abilities, interests, resources and informed choice.

Pamela Bobelu, Counselor: “I am just showing you or laying out different options for you – it’s your choice to pick whichever direction you go.”

Announcer: It is very important that you are involved in the planning and following through with the IPE for you to succeed in reaching your employment goal.

Marilyn Nuttle, Consumer: “Since I was asking them for help I thought well, their going to tell me what to do but it was me telling them what I wanted to do. They were just there to help me, to make it clear how I could accomplish that cause they wanted to me succeed at what I was going to do.”

Announcer: After you and your counselor sign the IPE you will get a copy. If your needs change while you are in the Vocational Rehabilitation program your plan may be changed. You may ask for a review of your plan at any time.

Wendell Schurzs, Counselor: “If there is a situation with the consumers as far as wanting to do something different then an append is made to the IPE.”

Many different services are available to help you reach your employment goal. Your VR services will probably be different from those received by others because the services outlined in your IPE are based on your individual needs and goals. Your VR counselor will discuss with you the different services that are available to reach your employment goal.

Jessie Ply, Counselor: “We are here to serve you. So, we what to know what you want to do. We want to make that possible for you. We have all these different ways to make that happen.”

Zoie Stumblingbear, Counselor: “Whatever it is that we can do to help you succeed that’s what we are going to do for you.”

Announcer: Services may include training, resource information, assistive technology, employment placement and traditional healing. Throughout the VR process, counseling and guidance will be provided to you by your VR counselor. Training includes vocational, on-the-job, personal and vocational adjustment training, job search skill development and job coaching.

Assistive technology such as telecommunication, sensory and other rehabilitation equipment may be provided to help you function more effectively in the workplace. Information and referrals also are provided to help you get appropriate services from other agencies. Employment services including job search, placement and follow-up services may help you find and keep suitable employment in your chosen career.

The uniqueness of the tribal VR programs is the alternative to provide traditional healing services such as the medicine man or woman, or participating in the ceremonial sweat lodge and other cultural services. A limited number of traditional medicine men and women are still living today. Healing practices are gifts and these gifts are passed down only to those who will continue to help others. At the request of the consumer, a medicine man or woman may be called upon to provide services that may be used in the treatment of substance abuse, chronic pain and physical illness. The specifics of these treatments are very private in nature.

The goal of vocational rehabilitation is to help people with disabilities find suitable employment. Although you must take responsibility as a consumer, your VR counselor will assist you every step of the way, including your search for a job.

Mary Ross, Counselor: “I will help you with interviewing skills, a resume preparation and if there is any other additional referrals that I can make to other agencies or other individuals I will also do that.”

Announcer: It is important to let your counselor know when you start work at a new job. Once you go to work, your counselor will continue to help you and provide additional services needed for three months. Generally, your VR case will be closed after you have worked successfully for 90 days.

If your situation changes and you loose or have trouble keeping your job, you may go back to the VR office for more help. Post-employment services may be available to help you keep your job or get your job back, move ahead on your job or move to a better job.

Michael Jackson, Consumer: “They will put that light inside to where you start directing your life again. You start making the choices that you feel you’ve lost. So that gives you that independence, it gives you that empowerment that you have control of your life again.”

Donna Shockley, Consumer: “It’s made me a better person, more confident. I am a better mother, grandmother.”

Dail Allen, Consumer: “It has totally changed my life around. I am very grateful for what they’ve done for me.”

Harvey Monetathchi, Consumer: “I had almost given up pursuing a higher education when they came to my rescue. I am ever grateful to them.”

Tammera Bearbow, Consumer: “They brought me up, made me feel better about life and having a job and I can do it. I know I am strong enough to do it.”

Announcer: Delivering culturally appropriate VR services to any tribal members living in Oklahoma is a very important part of the VR process. It gives American Indians the confidence needed to better share their talents and abilities with the entire community

Oklahoma Tribal VR Programs are here to serve you. For more information, call the nearest Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation office or the state Department of Rehabilitation Services.

The Apache Tribal VR Program in Anadarko, 405-247-7494

The Cherokee Tribal VR Program in Tahlequah, 918-453-5004

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal VR Program in El Reno, 405-422-7617

The Chickasaw Tribal VR Program in Ada, 580-436-0553

The Choctaw Tribal VR Program in Hugo, 877-285-6893

The Delaware Tribal VR Program in Oklahoma City, 405-632-3749.

The Iowa Tribal VR Program in Perkins, 888-336-4692.

The Muscogee (Creek) Tribal VR Program in Okemah, 888-367-2332.

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services statewide call 800-845-8476.

This video is presented by Oklahoma Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation and the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Credits:

Narrated by Enoch Kelly Haney.

Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

Native American flute music from “Prairie Rain” 2003

Written and Performed by Terry Tsotigh

Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma

Terry_straightdancer@yahoo.com

Thanks to Jim Anquoe and the Redstone Singers of Oklahoma

Dedicated to the Memory of Robert Washington 1955-2007

©OTVR Council 2007

(ANNCR): The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services presents Take Charge: real life accounts of people who overcome obstacles to reach their goals.

Howard: My name is Mark Howard and I'm a psychiatrist specializing in psychosomatic medicine.

So I have a condition that's genetic called cone dystrophy. I had it at birth. That's a condition that has left me as a person that is legally blind since early childhood.

With correction- meaning with my contacts in like today or glasses on sometimes, I see 20/200 which means what a person typically sees at 200 feet, I have to be at 20 feet to be able to see.

So I had a pretty typical childhood. Growing up I was involved in a lot of sports. I did wrestling, and track and cross country in high school. I did academic bowl. I was involved with the Boy Scouts and I became an Eagle Scout.

My parents encouraged me a lot to do those things that I wanted to do. Well actually in high school and even in college I was pretty interested in the mind and understanding how the mind and the body work together.

(ANNCR): Mark shared his goal to attend medical school with his Oklahoma DRS visual services counselor.

Nelson: My name is Jane Nelson and I was the counselor for Mark when he first applied for services.

Howard: Jane had some reservations or some doubts about whether or not I'd be able to achieve my goals.

Nelson: I really tried to discourage him from that. Mainly because of my own doubts, not his. I told him that it was very difficult for anyone to get into medical school and then to have the significant visual impairment that he had, it would be a really huge leap. But that didn't seem to deter him.

Howard: But even though she had those doubts, she never stood in my way in any way. She always provided me opportunities to be successful.

Nelson: He was very quiet, very determined, very focused. He knew what he wanted and he was going to achieve it.

ANNCR): After he was accepted into the University of Oklahoma Medical School, Mark got a call from university officials. The Dean of Medicine wanted to meet with Mark to be sure he was up to the challenge.

Andrews: I am Dewayne Andrews, I'm Vice President for Health Affairs of the Health Sciences Center, and the Executive Dean of the College of Medicine.

Well I think at first he was just more curious and friendly. And as the meeting went on he became progressively more encouraged that I would be able to do it.

He convinced me that he really had a passion for medicine, that he was committed to it, that he knew he was going to have to work hard. He knew that he might have to adapt in certain ways that other students didn't.

And although it was a bit of a risk at that time, as I viewed it, I thought it was certainly a worthwhile risk.

Howard: So the challenges of medical school with respect to my vision were pretty steep. I mean, it started off with the academic challenges. The volume of material that you have to learn, the tons and tons of readings that are assigned.

And there were definitely times where I was faced with my own self doubt. But I really just pushed through despite that.

ANNCR): More challenges awaited Mark as he began his clinical rotation at the Veterans Administration hospital. There he met one of his first mentors.

Orwig: My name is Steve Orwig and I'm the associate chief of staff for education at the VA hospital here in OKC.

Howard: I was pretty nervous going in to the clinical years because I wasn't sure how my vision would translate into that setting because it was completely unfamiliar versus the academic setting.

Dr. Orwig though treated me just like any of the other medical students. And he was actually somebody who was very impactful because he was such a good clinician and such a good teacher.

Orwig: Even before I met Mark, even before he came over to the VA, I remember thinking that for someone to go through the first two years of medical school, all the basic sciences all the classes. Learning thousands of new words and all these new ideas and relationships. That's really difficult and challenging for anyone.

And so I knew for someone who had some sort of sensory impairment to be able to go through that they had have particular intelligence and persistence and commitment and hard work.

(ANNCR): Mark continued to work hard and graduated from medical school. Today he's a successful psychiatrist practicing in Boston, Massachusetts.

Howard: I think the biggest take away to anyone that has special obstacles in their life is that they've got to find the ways that they can be successful.

Figure out what it is that they need to overcome their hurdles and how to position themselves so that they can overcome them.

Lean on those supports because those are really important. And believe in yourself. Because if you don't believe in yourself, nobody else is gonna step up to the plate and believe in you either.

(ANNCR): Learn more about the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and find out if they can help you or someone you know. Call toll free 1-800-487-4042 or visit us on the web at okdrs.gov.

MUSIC

ANNCR: Vocational rehabilitation is an employment program for Oklahomans with disabilities. If you have a disability and want to get or keep a job, VR could be the right choice for you. We call this video “What You Need to Know About Oklahoma Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services.” It will tell you how the VR program works what we will do to help you find or keep a job and what you should do to reach your own career goals.

How does the VR program work? The name of our agency is the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services or DRS. Two DRS’ divisions provide vocational rehabilitation and employment services. Visual Services helps Oklahomans with vision impairments or diabetes. Vocational Rehabilitation helps those with physical or mental disabilities.

Having a disability does not always mean you are eligible for services. You are eligible if your disability makes it difficult to get or keep a job and you need VR services to prepare for, get, keep or return to work. There must be a chance you can benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome. You must be able and willing to go to work after receiving VR services. If not, other agencies may have services that can better meet your needs. Your counselor will give you information, whenever possible, about those programs.

There are seven steps in the VR process: Application, Evaluation, Eligibility, Planning, Services, Employment and Post-Employment Services.

Step one: Application.

First, complete the VR application and a health checklist form. Our staff can help if you need assistance. Meet with your counselor about your background and employment goals. Please bring your medical, psychological and education records if you can. You may get records from a doctor, psychologist or others who have useful information. All your information is kept private and not released without your permission. If you can’t get to our office, call to ask about other options. The application is also available online. You can bring someone with you to the meeting with your counselor.

Your counselor will ask for information about your disability, work experience, medical history, education or training and employment goals. The counselor needs the names of doctors or therapists and any medications you are taking. You may be asked to sign a release form so that others can provide information about you to Vocational Rehabilitation or Visual Services.

The counselor will ask for information about your financial situation. Some services such as evaluation, counseling and job placement are provided at no charge. You may be asked to pay for other services, depending on your income and financial resources. The cost of services and who will pay for them will be written down in your Individualized Plan for Employment or IPE.

Step 2: Evaluation.

Visual Services or Vocational Rehabilitation will evaluate your disability to find out if you are eligible for services. Your counselor will use the records you bring or help you get information from your doctor, school or other agency. If new tests are needed to find out if you are eligible, your counselor will arrange an appointment at no charge to you with a physician, psychologist or other health care professional. Vocational evaluations may be needed at any point in the rehabilitation process. Your evaluation could be done in the beginning to find out if vocational rehabilitation is the right program to help you go to work.

Step 3: Eligibility.

You can expect to be told within 60 days or less whether you qualify for vocational rehabilitation services. If you are eligible, you will make decisions about your career choice, what services are needed for you to go to work and who will provide those services. Your counselor will provide information and resources that will help you make these important decisions together. We call your decisions “informed choice” because you will have the information needed to make the right decisions about your career.

Step 4: Planning.

Once you are eligible, you will develop an Individualized Plan for Employment based on your specific needs. Your IPE will list the services needed to help you find or keep the job you have chosen. The purpose of the IPE is to get you ready for work. The counselor will work with you or you can choose someone else to help you write your IPE. Either way, the counselor must approve the plan. You and your counselor will sign the IPE. You will get a copy. If your needs change while you’re in vocational rehabilitation, your plan may be changed. It is important that you are involved in planning and following through on your IPE so that you can reach your employment goal.

Step 5: VR Services.

VR services help people with disabilities prepare for and find jobs. Each service is based on your disability and what is needed to overcome your barriers to employment and increase your ability to go to work. You and your counselor will decide what services are needed to reach your employment goal. Counselors provide vocational evaluation, counseling and career planning guidance throughout the rehabilitation process. We give you information and sometimes refer you to other agencies for services we don't provide. Please remember to keep your counselor informed of changes to your phone or address so we can continue to work together. Employment services, including job search, placement and follow-up services, help consumers go to work. Assistive Technology is any item, equipment, system or service that helps people with disabilities prepare for employment and function more effectively in the workplace, Training includes vocational, post-secondary, on-the-job, job search skills development and job coaching. Treatment of physical and mental disabilities may be provided to help consumers go to work. Transition School-to-Work services help high school students with disabilities prepare for and reach employment and other post-school goals. Instructional services, such as rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility services, assist individuals who are blind. Self-employment programs help individuals who want to work for themselves or operate their own businesses. Supported employment helps individuals with significant physical, emotional, mental or multiple disabilities work successfully in the community. Specialized programs assist consumers with vision, hearing or speech disabilities and those with significant disabilities.

Step 6: Employment.

Getting or keeping your job is the GOAL of the vocational rehabilitation program. When you go to work, you become a self-sufficient taxpayer, reducing or eliminating your need for disability benefits or social services. Contact your counselor as soon as you accept a job. Once you start working, your VR counselor will follow up to be sure everything is going well. After you work 90 days successfully you and your counselor will close your vocational rehabilitation case.

Step 7: Post-Employment Services

Even after your case is closed, you may be eligible for post-employment services to keep your job, get your job back or move to a better job. If your situation changes, you can call your counselor to find out about post-employment services.

If you are not satisfied with a decision about your case or have another problem, you can talk with your counselor at any time. Working together to solve the problems is usually the best approach. If you are not satisfied, ask the staff at your Visual Services or Vocational Rehabilitation office to schedule an appointment with your counselor’s supervisor. If you are still having problems, you can ask for a Fair Hearing or use mediation to find a workable solution. You can also bring a civil action asking a state or district court to review the decision. You can also ask an advocate from the Client Assistance Program to help you at any time. CAP will help with the appeals process and talk to the Department of Rehabilitation Services on your behalf. Your counselor will give you a “Rights and Responsibilities” handbook when you apply and when you enter the vocational rehabilitation program. There is more information about your appeals rights and the vocational rehabilitation program. The handbook is available in accessible formats, such as Braille, large print, audio CD or cassette or your other preferred format, to the maximum extent possible. Thank you taking time to learn about the vocational rehabilitation program. If you are ready to go to work at a job that is right for you, take the next step. Apply for vocational rehabilitation and employment services.

Opening doors to opportunity. That’s the mission of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. DRS counselors and staff will open the door to employment success, but you must walk through it to achieve your dreams. To find the nearest Visual Services or Vocational Rehabilitation office, call 1-800-487-4042. Call the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services at 1-800-845-8476. Or visit DRS on the Web at www.okdrs.gov.

Copyright 2010 Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services.

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(Comentador): Rehabilitación Vocacional (VR) es un programa de empleo para personas en Oklahoma con discapacidades. Si usted tiene una discapacidad y quiere obtener o mantener un empleo, VR puede ser la opción correcta para usted. Nosotros llamamos este video ”lo que usted necesita saber acerca de Rehabilitación Vocacional y Servicios Visuales de Oklahoma.” Este le dirá cómo trabaja el programa de VR, qué nosotros haremos para ayudarlo a encontrar o mantener un trabajo y lo que usted debe de hacer para alcanzar sus propias metas de carreras.

¿Cómo trabaja el programa de VR? El nombre de nuestra agencia es Departamento de Servicios de Rehabilitación de Oklahoma o DRS. Dos divisiones de DRS proveen servicios de rehabilitación y empleo. Servicios Visuales ayuda a personas en Oklahoma con impedimentos visuales o diabetes. Rehabilitación Vocacional ayuda a aquellos con discapacidades físicas o mentales. Tener una discapacidad no siempre significa que usted es elegible para servicios. Usted es elegible si su discapacidad hace difícil el obtener o mantener un trabajo y usted necesita servicios de VR para prepararse, obtener, mantener o regresar al trabajo.

Debe haber una posibilidad que usted se puede beneficiar de los servicios de VR en términos de empleo como resultado. Usted tiene que ser capaz y estar disponible a ir a trabajar después de recibir servicios de VR. Si no, otras agencias podrían tener servicios que pueden servir mejor sus necesidades. Su consejero le dará información, siempre que sea posible, acerca de esos programas.

Hay siete pasos en el proceso de VR: Solicitud, Evaluación, Elegibilidad, Planeación, Servicios, y Servicios de Empleo y Post-Empleo.