Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 612 - State Department of Rehabilitation Services › Chapter 10 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired › Subchapter 7 - Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired › Part 19 - SPECIAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND, DEAF, OR HAVE OTHER SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES › Section 612:10-7-205 - Services to persons who are deaf-blind

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a)
Overview of services.
Because of the overwhelming impact upon the individual with a combination
				  disability of deafness and blindness, a multiple disciplinary approach is
				  needed to adequately serve these individuals. Unique problems in mobility and
				  communication can cause severe social, recreational, academic deprivation and
				  long term prevocational training may be necessary. Persons who are deaf-blind
				  are capable of competitive employment and the counselor will carefully evaluate
				  expected employment outcomes.
(b)
Deaf-Blindness Specialist.
To promote and coordinate appropriate
				  services for persons with dual losses of vision and hearing, the Division of
				  Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired employs a Deaf-Blindness
				  Specialist. This specialist works with counselors, rehabilitation teachers and
				  others who provide services directly to clients who are deaf-blind. A major
				  role served by this specialist is coordinating services and ensuring dialogue
				  among schools, programs, agencies and organizations serving the deaf and
				  blind.
(c)
Support Service
				  Providers.
Support Service Providers (SSPs) promote independence by
				  providing deaf-blind individuals with visual and auditory access to the
				  environment. SSPs facilitate interpersonal communication and provide
				  environmental information and sighted guide services to deaf-blind individuals
				  during assessment for eligibility determination and IPE-related activities as
				  requested by DRS. IPE related activities may include, but not be limited to,
				  all contacts with the DRS, IPE related activities may include, contacts with
				  DRS staff including meetings; job interviews, job site orientation,
				  non-emergency medical appointments (scheduled or authorized by DRS) and
				  community events pertaining to the client's vocational goal, such as job fairs,
				  networking events, community-based training, filling out job applications or
				  other paperwork. Services may include driving client to the IPE related
				  activity and home again, reading client's mail and transmitting it in a mode
				  that is accessible to the client. DRS should not be involved in payment for SSP
				  services that are arranged without agency knowledge, or are used for purposes
				  not directly connected with the client's DRS case including assessment for
				  eligibility determination, IPE-connected services or job readiness or placement
				  activities.
Added at 10 Ok Reg
					 4633, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2449, eff 7-1-94; Amended at
					 14 Ok Reg 3738, eff 9-10-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2904, eff 7-1-98;
					 Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1711, eff 4-13-99 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2590,
					 eff 7-1-99; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1771, eff
					 7-1-03