Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission

Program Overview Fact Sheet

The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (ORSC) is the state agency that is working to promote independence and self-sufficiency for Ohio citizens with the most significant disabilities.

Eligibility

Vocational rehabilitation is an eligibility program.

To be eligible for ORSC services, you must meet three criteria.

  1. You must have a physical or mental impairment which causes a substantial impediment to employment.
  2. You must be able to benefit in terms of an employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services. If you are interested in working but are not sure in what way, we will help you look at the possibilities and assess your needs so you can make an informed decision about working.
  3. The consumer requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter, engage in or retain gainful employment.

To determine your eligibility for RSC services, your counselor will need information explaining your disability (or problems that you’ve had working). This information must come from your doctor or other treating professional. Start gathering any records you have that could help your counselor document your eligibility. This will speed up the process. If you don’t have this information available, your counselor can help you get it.

Order of Selection

Once you are determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, your counselor must assign one of these priority categories based on how significantly your disability (ies) impacts your ability to work.

When all consumers eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services cannot be served due to limited resources, federal law requires the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (ORSC) to define categories which establish the order in which consumers are served. This ensures that consumers with the most significant disabilities (MSD) are served first.

Order of Selection Categories

Priority Category 1: Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities (MSD)

Persons assigned to this category have disability (ies) that:

  • Seriously limit them in three or morefunctional capacity areas (Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Mobility, Self Care, Self Direction, Work Tolerance and Work Skills) and
  • Need multipleVR services over an extended period of time in order to get and/or keep a job.

Priority Category 2: Individuals with Significant Disabilities (SD)

Persons assigned to this category have disability (ies) that:

  • Seriously limit them in one or two functional capacity area(s)(Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Mobility, Self Care, Self Direction, Work Tolerance and Work Skills) and
  • Need multiple VR services over an extended period of time in order to get and/or keep a job.

Priority Category 3: Other Eligible Individuals (Other)

Individuals assigned to this category have disability (ies) that:

  • Do not seriously limit them in any functional capacity areas or
  • Do not need multiple VR services over an extended period of time in order to get and/or keep a job.

Statewide Waiting List

All consumers are placed on a statewide waiting list.

At this time, consumers who are in Category 1- Most Significantly Disability are being served immediately and do not wait. They will begin working with a counselor in career exploration, assessment, and planning toward an employment goal.

Consumers in Category 2- Significant Disability and Category 3- Other Eligible are placed on the statewide waiting list where they wait for services. There is no estimated timeframe for the waiting list. Until the consumer is released from waiting list, no direct services to move forward with planning or services can be provided.

Comprehensive Assessment/Vocational Guidance and Counseling

The next step will be to identify your vocational goal and the services you need to reach this goal.

Once you have been assigned to a counselor, you will work together to agree on a job goal that fitsyour needs.

You may participate in assessments or experiences to help you decide if that goal is rightfor you. Your counselor can also supply information about different jobs and careers. This process will result in your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

You and your VR counselor must consider many things as you develop your IPE, such as:

  • Does your employment goal match your personal strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, interests and informed choice? This is based on a comprehensive assessment that may use existing information.
  • Are the services necessary to achieve your employment outcome?
  • Will the services result in your employment?
  • Are the services cost effective? VR may not pay for an expensive program if a lower cost option that meets your needs is available;
  • Can you help pay for any of your services?

Developing an Individualized Plan for Employment

Your IPE development will be completed within 120 days, unless you agree to extend this timeframe.

Your IPE will include a description of:

  • your employment outcome (the type of job or career youwant);
  • the services you will need to reach this goal, including timelines for completing these services(The services listed on your IPE must be necessary to reach your employment outcome.);
  • who willprovide you with these services;
  • the cost(s) of the services and who is going to pay for what;
  • theresponsibilities of you and your VR counselor in carrying out your plan;

Many employers conduct background checks as a condition of employment and some jobs requirescreening by law. You and your counselor may decide to complete a background check to help youdecide on an appropriate goal. Sometimes this may be required as a tool to complete your IPE.

Services

Once your IPE is developed your counselor will help you access the services listed in your IPE. Your counselor will continueto work with you during this process to make certain that the services meet your needs and thatyou’re progressing toward your employment goal.

RSC will continue to provide you with services as outlined on your IPE as long as:

  • you makeprogress toward your employment outcome,
  • money is available,
  • the law and RSC policyremain unchanged

Your Responsibilities

Stay in regular contact with your counselor and be sure to tell him or her about any changes in your personal circumstances, especially if you get a job or your telephone number or other contact information changes. Be sure you understand your responsibilities, including those listed on your IPE. Discuss concerns with your counselor throughout the vocational rehabilitation process. Keep a positive attitude!

Tell your counselor if:

  • your name, address, e-mail or telephone number changes;
  • you’re unable to begin a program or keep an appointment, or if you drop out of a program;
  • you become eligible for services and benefits (such as training, etc.) from anotheragency(ies);
  • you get a job. (Be sure to tell your counselor the name of your employer, your job title, thedate you started and your salary.)

Consumer Contribution

Consumers are expected to contribute to the cost of their program to the extent possible.

Your contribution does not determine what services you receive.

We do not deny services based on your contribution.

Your Rights and Duties

You have the right to bring a friend, parent, guardian, advocate or other representative to any meetings with your counselor or other VR staff.

You have the right to receive copies of forms you have signed.

Informed Choice

You have the right to participate in decisions about your VR program with the support and guidance of your counselor. You’ll choose the people whom your counselor is permitted to contact about your case. You’ll also provide input about where you will go for any necessary assessment services.

Confidentiality

RSC keeps your information and records strictly confidential unless you consent in writing to release them. This includes sharing information with treatment providers and family members. RSC may, however, release information about you: (1) to get services for you, (2) to report your progress to theagency that referred you (if applicable), (3) when required by law (Investigations in connection with law enforcement, fraud or abuse, if you pose a threat to yourself or others, in response to a court order), (4) to do research to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and (5) to obtain wage verification.

Appeal Rights

If you disagree with a decision:

You should discuss disagreements about your case with your RSC counselor, the rehabilitation supervisor and/or the area manager. You can file an appeal by writing to RSC’s Administrator within 30 days of the date you learn about a decision. (Address it to: Administrator, Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, 400 E.Campus View Blvd., Columbus OH 43235-4604.) Prior to your formal hearing, you may have an informal meeting with area management and/or ask for mediation, which is a problem-solving process that must be agreed to by all parties. To do this, you must submit a request in writing, on audiotape or in Braille. A trained professional will then meet with you and the VR staff to try to solve the problem.

You have the right to contact the Client Assistance Program (CAP) at the Ohio Legal Rights Service to get information and help in filing an appeal or resolving a problem with RSC. CAP’s phone numbers are (800) 282-9181 voice/TTY, (614) 466-7264 voice and (614) 728-2553 TTY.In addition, you have the right to file a civil rights complaint if you believe your counselor is treating you unfairly because of your age, color, national origin, ethnicity, race, sex, religion or type of disability. You can file this complaint with the RSC Equal Employment Opportunity office at 1-800-282-4536, ext. 1328 or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education.

In addition you have the right to file a civil rights complaint if you believe your counselor is not fair to you because of your age, color, national origin, race, sex, or disability type. You may file this complain with RSC Affirmative Action office (1-800-282-4536) or the Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education.