AMERICAN INDIAN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (AIVR)

Section 121 Projects

PURPOSE

The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (AIVR) Program is designed to assist eligible Native Americans with disabilities in becoming employed. There is a general presumption that an individual with a disability is capable of engaging in gainful work unless proven otherwise and that the provision of AIVR services can improve his or her ability to become gainfully employed. An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed with each eligible individual. The IPE outlines the individual’s program for attaining his or her employment goal. Services provided by AIVR may include counseling, guidance, job placement, vocational training, rehabilitation technology, interpreter services for persons who are deaf, personal assistance and other services that will assist the person in attaining his or her employment goal.

CONTACT

Andrea Hall, Tribal Liaison 3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 500 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 522-7957 FAX: (405) 522-7980

See Appendix B for American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Programs.

FINANCIAL CRITERIA None

ELIGIBILITY An individual is eligible for Section 121 AIVR services if the individual: 1) Has a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card; 2) Resides within the particular Section 121 Project service area; 3) Has a physical or mental impairment which for such individual constitutes or results in an impediment to employment; 4) Can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from VR services; and 5) Requires VR services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment.

An individual who has a disability or is blind as determined pursuant to Title II or Title XVI of the Social Security Act shall be considered to have: 1) A physical or mental impairment which for such individual constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and 2) A severe physical or mental impairment which seriously limits one or more functional capacities in terms of an employment outcome.
Determinations by other agencies, particularly education agencies, regarding whether an individual has an impairment or is an individual with a severe disability are to be used to the extent appropriate, available and consistent with the Rehabilitation Act.
Persons may be required to participate in the cost of some services, including AT, depending on their income level.

AT SERVICES PROVIDED/COVERED

Assessments & Evaluations
Case Management
Information & Referral
Locating Alternate Funding
Maintenance & Repairs
Training for Consumer & Family

AT DEVICES PROVIDED/COVERED

Aids for Daily Living
Aids for Hearing Impaired
Aids for Vision Impaired
Augmentative Communication
Computer Applications
Educational Devices & Adaptations
Home Modifications
Hospital Beds
Prosthetics & Orthotics
Seating & Positioning Equipment
Vehicle Modifications
Wheelchairs & Mobility Aids
Worksite & Office Modifications

APPLICATION PROCESS

Contact the Section 121 AIVR office that serves the area in which you reside to apply for services. Referrals are considered applicants as soon as the counselor has a document signed by the individual requesting AIVR services. This may be a formal application or a letter signed by the applicant, applicant’s parent, guardian, or other representative, which provides the minimum basic information and requests AIVR services.
In application status, the counselor will secure sufficient information to make a determination of eligibility or ineligibility for AIVR services, determine a priority group assignment, or make a decision to put the client into extended evaluation. The information needed by the counselor may include the results of a physical examination, an assistive technology evaluation, or an extended evaluation of vocational potential for gainful employment.
If a person is determined to be eligible for services based on evaluation information, the counselor and the individual will develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) that is designed to result in eventual competitive employment for the individual.

APPEALS PROCESS

Each AIVR Section 121 Project has a formal appeals process that clients are advised of upon application for services. The appeals process may vary by Project.

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED FOR APPEALS

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) assists disabled persons who are seeking or receiving services from any program funded by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. CAP can: a) advise clients of their rights and responsibilities under the Rehabilitation Act, b) assist clients in communicating their concerns to AIVR Section 121 Projects; and c) represent the individual in the fair hearing process when appropriate and/or needed.
Additional information concerning vocational rehabilitation and the appeals process can be obtained from the CAP at (405) 521-3756 or (800) 522-8224 statewide.

PIECES OF THE PUZZLE

The IPE is an individualized program of services based around a core of comprehensive evaluation, vocational counseling, and job placement that are needed to assist the person in attaining his or her employment goal. Any assistive technology that the person needs for employment must be included in this plan. However, AT devices and services may be essential to help the person demonstrate vocational capabilities.
Once a decision has been made to supply an eligible client with assistive technology, it may be possible to provide a wide range of devices if they are vocationally relevant. However, AIVR cannot buy devices that other sources can buy or that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires other sources to provide.
Vocational Rehabilitation is an eligibility, not an entitlement program. If the evaluation process determines that a person is not eligible for services, there is no possibility of receiving funding from this source.
The primary purpose of assistive technology devices and services provided by the regular AIVR program is to enable a person to obtain and maintain gainful employment.