Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Your Rights and Remedies as a Participant in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Vocational Rehabilitation is a program of the State of Washington designed to empower blind or visually impaired individuals as equal members of society by helping them prepare for and obtain employment.

To be eligible, you must have a visual disability that alone or combined with other disabilities causes an impediment to employment, and vocational rehabilitation services must be required for you to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain employment. You are presumed eligible if you are an SSI or SSDI recipient.

Services will be planned with you and are provided on an individual basis. You will be actively encouraged to make meaningful and informed choices about your employment goals and the types of services or service providers you receive. Services offered are:

• Assessment of vocational rehabilitation needs
• Counseling and guidance
• Vocational training
• Training in adaptive skills of blindness
• Transportation allowance
• Rehabilitation technology
• Reader services
• Interpreter services for individuals who are deaf-blind
• Job placement
• Referral to other programs
• And other services as needed

Confidentiality

All information pertaining to your vocational rehabilitation case will be kept confidential and will be used only as needed to provide services.

Individual Rights

This program is operated in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. You shall not be denied services or otherwise discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, creed, marital status, age, or the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against on these grounds, you may file a written complaint with the Director of the Department or with the Office of Civil Rights.

Client Assistance Program (CAP)

CAP is a program independent of the Department of Services for the Blind that provides advocacy and information to persons seeking vocational rehabilitation or independent living services, including assistance with administrative proceedings. Call them at 1-800-544-1212.

Right of Appeal

If you disagree with any decision about the services you receive or wish to receive from the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), you may appeal informally to an agency administrator, request formal mediation or an impartial hearing. Be sure to ask about how to appeal and any required deadlines as soon as a problem arises. There are three options on how to handle the appeal:

1. Informally. Appeal verbally or in writing to any agency representative and the agency will appoint an administrator to review your case and make a determination;
2. Mediation. Request in writing to the agency director that your appeal be heard by a neutral third party who will help you reach a compromise or agreement;
3. Impartial hearing. Request in writing to the Director and forwarded to the Governor’s Office that an impartial hearing officer (IHO) be appointed to hear the facts of the case and make decision.

Remember that you can be in mediation while waiting for an impartial hearing and that you can reach a resolution by any method at any time.

For more information, call 1-800-552-7103.

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