Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-24.1

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

Section 612:10-7-24.1 - Basic eligibility requirements for vocational rehabilitation services

(a) An individual is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act through the State Department of Rehabilitation Services if the individual:

(1) has a physical or mental impairment which for such individual constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment;

(2) is determined by a qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor to require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment; and

(3) can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services.

(b) The agency presumes that an applicant with a physical or mental impairment that constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of an employment outcome, unless the agency demonstrates, based on clear and convincing evidence, that the individual is incapable of benefiting from rehabilitation services due to the severity of the individual's disability.

(c) An individual who has a disability or is blind as determined pursuant to Titles II (federal old age, survivors, and disability insurance benefits) or XVI (SSI) shall be:

(1) considered to have a significant disability under the order of selection; and

(2) presumed to be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, (provided that the individual intends to achieve an employment outcome consistent with the unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice of the individual) unless clear and convincing evidence demonstrates that the individual is incapable of benefiting in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services due to the severity of the individual's disability.

(d) Eligibility requirements shall be applied without regard to:

(1) duration of residence in the state,

(2) type of disability,

(3) age, except that in serving eligible individuals below working age, the client must be expected to reach working age by the time the IPE is completed, and DRS will not provide services that are the responsibility of the public school system.

(4) gender, race, color or national origin,

(5) type of expected employment outcome,

(6) source of referral, or

(7) the particular service needs or anticipated cost of services required by an applicant or applicant's family.

(e) Disabled veterans. Disabled veterans are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services on the same basis as other individuals with disabilities subject to the following restrictions:

(1) Disabled veterans are not provided services which can be secured from the Veterans Administration (VA), unless use of VA services will cause a substantial delay of services.

(2) Veterans receiving additional benefits under the G. I. Bill or the War Orphan Act may be provided services if such services do not duplicate those being received from the VA.

(f) Applicants who are employed. Employed persons who meet basic eligibility requirements may be provided vocational rehabilitation services to advance in or retain employment, or when the employment is not consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, interests and capabilities.

(g) Citizenship. Participation in the VR program is available to citizens and nationals of the United States, lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens, refugees, asylees and parolees, and other immigrants authorized to work in the United States.

(h) Criteria. Some conditions have unique criteria that must be considered when determining eligibility.

(1) Alcoholism/Drugs. Individuals may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services based on a substance abuse diagnosis that may be made by a qualified professional. Clients must be willing to undergo random alcohol/drug screening. DRS does not pay for detoxification or replacement drug treatment. Documentation from qualified Drug and Alcohol treatment professionals indicating that the client is presently substance-free, maintaining sobriety, and actively participating in a treatment or maintenance program if recommended by the treating professional must be filed in the case record upon IPE development.

(2) Allergies/Asthma. Allergies/asthmatic conditions that require continuous or intermittent medical intervention and result in a substantial impediment to employment will be considered eligible for services.

(3) Deafness and Hearing Loss. In most cases, for the purpose of vocational rehabilitation, the majority of cases served will be in the moderate range to profound range, barring any other significant functional limitations as determined by a rehabilitation counselor for the Deaf (RCD).Degree of hearing loss from normal to profound are based on the hearing loss ranges as follows:

(A) Normal (-10-15)

(B) Slight (6-25)

(C) Mild (26-40)

(D) Moderate (41-55)

(E) Moderately severe (56-70)

(F) Severe (71-90)

(G) Profound (91+)

(i) The rehabilitation professional will base eligibility determination upon one of the measurement methods listed below, as performed by a licensed audiologist as determined by the Department.

(ii) The case record must document the method chosen provides the most accurate evaluation of functional hearing level for the individual. The licensed audiologist will do a Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation (CHE) with written recommendations for treatment. The CHE will include the type of hearing aids needed with a treatment plan to maintain the maximum rehabilitation for the hearing loss.

(4) A CHE or recommendation for hearing aids and treatment from a Hearing Instrument Specialist (HIS) is not acceptable and should not be considered by the rehabilitation professional in addressing the rehabilitation needs.

(A) Eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria for each method of measurement are listed in (i) through (iv) of this Subsection. An individual will also be considered to have a qualifying disability when documentation indicates the hearing loss is progressive and the progression is substantial enough to result in an impediment to employment.

(i) Average hearing loss. Average hearing loss, which is determined by computing average of the pure tone thresholds for each ear at 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 3000Hz and 4000Hz. An individual is considered to have a qualifying disability based upon average hearing loss when:

(I) The hearing loss in one ear is profound (91 dB or greater) and the hearing loss in the better ear is at least 15 dB; or

(II) The hearing loss in the better ear is 30 dB or greater.

(ii) Speech recognition threshold (SRT). An individual is considered to have a qualifying disability whena consultation is conducted with a Qualified Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD) and upon Review of the RCD based on the Speech reception threshold.

(iii) Speech discrimination or word recognition score. An individual is considered to have a qualifying disability when the speech discrimination or word recognition score is 70% or less, upon review by a RCD.

(iv) Articulation index. An individual is considered to have a qualifying disability when the articulation index is 70% or less upon review by RCD.

(v) Only a licensed audiologist can determine the speech discrimination or word recognition and articulation index score. The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will utilize these scores in determining eligibility and identification of the functional barriers to employment.

(I) A Consultation by the Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD) that the applicant has hearing loss that constitutes a physical or mental impairment and the physical or mental impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and

(II) A Consultation by a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf (RCD) that the applicant requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain employment that is consistent with the individuals unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interest and informed choice.

(B) Severity of Hearing Loss. All individuals who qualify as having a severe hearing loss or, who are culturally Deaf and/or use Manual Communication, will be referred to a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (RCD for a consultation on severity of loss and functional limitations) The RCD then will determine whether the case needs to be assigned to an RCD. Relevant information provided will include copies of the initial interview narrative recording, medical information, eligibility data entry form, Individualized Plan for Employment, pertinent copies of case narratives and DRS application form.

(i) Severe Hearing Loss. Average hearing loss, as calculated above, is considered severe when:

(I) The hearing loss in one ear is profound (91 dB or greater) and the hearing loss in the better ear is at least 31 dB; or

(II) The hearing loss in each ear is 55 dB or greater.

(ii) Severe Speech Recognition Threshold (SRT). An individual is considered to have severe disability when;

(I) The SRT in one ear is 91 dB or greater and the SRT in the better ear is at least 31 dB; or

(II) The SRT in each ear is 55 dB or greater.

(iii) Severe Speech Discrimination or word recognition score. An individual is considered to have a severe disability when the speech discrimination or word recognition score is 59% or less.

(4) Diabetes: The individual must require prescribed medication to control the condition. Those persons whose diabetes is controlled by diet and exercise alone or whose condition does not result in a substantial impediment to employment will not be considered eligible. Eligible clients will be required to undergo a visual exam by a licensed ophthalmologist at least once a year. Diabetes management training will be incorporated into the IPE unless the client shows that he/she has previously completed diabetes management training. When recommended by a physician, diabetes management training will be incorporated into the IPE regardless of past diabetes education received by the individual.

(5) Facial and Disfigurement Conditions. When these conditions result in an impediment to employment an individual may be eligible for VR services.

(6) Learning Disabilities. Learning disabilities is a general term that refers to a group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the attainment and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, or mathematical abilities. Learning disabilities are identified when there are difficulties learning and using academic skills, as indicated by at least one of the following occurring even with interventions: Inaccurate or slow reading, difficulty understanding the meaning of what is read, difficulties with spelling, difficulties with written expression, difficulties mastering numbers sense, facts or calculation, and difficulties with mathematical reasoning. Also, academic skills are significantly below those expected for the student's chronological age and causes issues with academic and occupational performance. Academic areas include, impairment in reading, impairment in written expression, and impairment in mathematics.

(7) Mental Disorders. Individuals may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services based on a mental health diagnosis made by a qualified professional (612:10-7-98(17)(A)(1-5)). Documentation must be filed from a qualified professional indicating the client is participating in a treatment plan and in compliance with all medication as prescribed. Treatment must be incorporated as a service in the IPE for individuals with a mental disorder.

(8) Intellectual Disability. To be eligible, individuals having an I.Q. of 69 or below and substantially limited adaptive functioning, as measured by an individual intelligence test, will be considered to have a substantial disability. Individuals eligible under IDEA with an I.Q. level higher than 69 may be considered to have a substantial impairment provided the documentation used by the school in determining eligibility under IDEA, in the counselor's judgment, confirms the individual is functioning in the intellectual disability range of ability. Individuals not enrolled in public school special education classes with an I.Q. higher than 69 may be considered to have a substantial impairment provided appropriate documentation confirms the individual is functioning in the intellectual disability range of ability.

(9) Height. To be eligible, a person's stature must constitute or result in a substantial impediment to employment.

(10) Obesity. To be eligible, a person must be considered obese according to a recognized medical classification protocol and the impairment must constitute or result in a substantial impediment to employment. Some type of weight loss plan or treatment for obesity must be included as a service in the IPE.

(11) Visual. Any of the following conditions may provide a basis for eligibility due to visual disability:

(A) Blindness. A central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction, or a limitation in the field of vision in the better eye so that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle of 20 degrees or less. "Best correction" refers to the use of standard eyeglasses or contact lenses, and does not include use of bioptic telescopic systems or any specialized lenses which cannot be worn by the individual on a sustained basis.

(B) Visual impairment. A central visual acuity of 20/60 or less in the better eye with best correction, or other visual condition which, for the individual, results in functional limitations and constitutes a barrier to employment. Other visual conditions which may result in functional limitations include, but are not limited to, limited peripheral vision, extreme light sensitivity, loss of depth perception, loss of stereopsis, diplopia (double vision), aphakia, total absence of color discrimination or red-green deficiency, blurred vision, eye muscle and movement conditions, and cortical visual impairment.

(C) Progressive eye disease. Diagnosis of a progressive sight threatening disease or condition that has resulted in functional limitations for the individual or is expected to progress rapidly. Progressive eye diseases which may result in significant vision loss include, but are not limited to, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

(12) Re-evaluation. Individuals with chronic disabilities that can be removed with little or no residual limitations will not be eligible for purchase of services other than those related to the required treatment.

Okla. Admin. Code § 612:10-7-24.1

Added at 28 Ok Reg 1832, eff 7-1-11 ; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1430, eff 7-1-12 ; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 870, eff 7-1-13

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 36, Issue 22, August 1, 2019, eff. 8/11/2019

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

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022

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