CLIENT ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
Contents
What is the
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a federally funded program authorized under the
amended Rehabilitation Act of 1973. University Legal Services administers the CAP program
in the District of Columbia under contract with the District of Columbia Rehabilitation
Services Administration (DC/RSA). The goal of CAP is to identify, explain, and resolve the
problems residents of the District of Columbia may be having with the rehabilitation
program as quickly as possible.
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I. How Can CAP
Help You?
CAP can provide the following services:
- Explain the services and benefits available to you from the District of Columbia
Rehabilitation Services Administration
- Advise you of your rights and responsibilities under the Rehabilitation Act.
- Help you to resolve problems or disagreements you may have with DC/RSA so that you can
get the services you need.
- Help you to appeal a decision if you are dissatisfied with the denial of VR or with the
type of services offered.
- Refer you to other public or private agencies that may be able to help you if you are
not eligible for VR services.
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II. Your Role
In the Process
As a client or potential client of the Rehabilitation Services Administration of the
District of Columbia, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Your VR program can
only be successful if you make an effort.
A. Your Rights
- Freedom From Discrimination:
- If you have a physical or mental disability which limits you in your search for
employment, you may be eligibile from DC/RSA. You cannot be discriminated against because
of your race, religion, sex, age, or disability.
- Diagnostic Services:
- You have the right to medical, vocational, and other evaluations to determine if you are
eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.
- Confidientiality:
- DC/RSA will no release any information in your file to CAP-ULS without your written and
signed permission.
- Appeals:
- If you do not agree with your DC/RSA counselor's recommendations or if you believe your
rights have been violated or if you believe your case has been closed incorrectly, you
have the right to appeal. CAP can assist you in this appeal process.
B. Your Rights and Responsibilities
- Keeping Appointments:
- You must keep appointments you make with your counselor at DC/RSA. If you are unable to
do so, be sure to call and notify your counselor. If you are in training or on the job, it
is your responsibility to follow-p on your counselor's recommendations as best you can.
- Working With Your Counselor:
- It is your responsibility to stay in touch with your DC/RSA counselor. Call or see your
counselor as soon as you have a question or problem. If you change your address or phone
number, you must notify your counselor.
- Individualized Plan for Employment:
- Your rehabilitation plan is for your own benefit. You must participate in development
and implementation the plan in order for it to be successful. You should keep records of
all documents regarding your written plan which is called Individualized Plan for
Employment (IPE). You will be expected to help pay for services when you are able to do
so. Keep your counselor aware of your employment plan goals.
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III. Resolving
Problems
You have the right to appeal if you feel you have been denied DC/RSA services unfairly
or if you do not agree with your plan. However, you must follow all steps in the
appropriate order. Following are the steps:
A. Meet With Your Counselor
If you don't agree with the way your case is being handled, talk it over with your
DC/RSA counselor. Frequently, the two of you will be able to solve the problem. If you
wish, a CAP staff person can advise you in this process and assist in negotiation.
B. Administrative Review
The administrative review process has two steps:
- Meet With Your Counselor's Supervisor - After
discussing your problems with your DC/RSA counselor, you can personally or through CAP
talk it over with the supervisor of the counselor. The supervisor will look into your
concern and inform you or CAP of the decision. If you still are not satisfied, you and CAP
may request a review by a higher supervisor or the administrative staff all the way to the
Administrator of the Agency.
- Administrative Hearing - You or CAP can present your
problem to a panel of the administrative staff of the District of Columbia Rehabilitation
Services Administration. This should be presented in writing. Your counselor can help you
with this or you can ask CAP to assist you. If you are dissatisfied with the results of
the administrative hearing, you can request a fair hearing.
C. Fair Hearing
A fair hearing is a formal procedure held before an impartial hearing officer of the
Department of Human Services. The fair hearing is another opportunity to ask for a change
in the way your case is being handled. CAP can ordinarily assist you in appealing your
case.
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IV. CAP Is Here
To Help!
The Client Assistance Program is available to all applicants or recipients of the
District of Columbia Rehabilation Services Administration.
You should contact CAP if you:
- are experiencing an undue delay in the processing of an application or services
requested.
- have been denied eligibility and do not agree with the denial.
- have been denied services to which you feel you are entitled or your case has been
closed on grounds you contest.
- have problems with the DC/RSA program that you have not been able to work out with your
counselor.
- have questions regarding the services and benefits available from DC/RSA.
- have problems with other agencies or training facilities that are preventing you from
teaching your rehabilitation employment goals.
How To Contact
CAP
To request assistance for yourself or someone you know, call Joseph Cooney at (202)
547-0198, ext. 116 or send an e-mail to jcooney@uls-dc.org.
The office is located at 220 I Street, N.E., Suite 130, Washington, D.C. 20002.
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SATISFACTION
ULS-CAP makes every effort to provide effective rights-related advocacy
for meritorious cases. However, if any individual is not satisfied with CAP's actions, he
or she has the right to bring a complaint to the Executive Director of ULS. A copy of the
agency's greivance policy is available. This policy tells what must be done to file a
complaint.
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Last revised 24-Oct-2004