Disability Rights California now offering the Client Assistance Program (CAP) for people looking for help in resolving their issues with the Department of Rehabilitation

On January 1, 2012, Disability Rights California began providing services under the Client Assistance Program (CAP), serving as a vital link between the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and the disability community. CAP provides advocacy to persons with disabilities who are seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services from DOR. CAP advocates are independent advocates for DOR clients and client applicants.

DRC is committed to providing effective CAP services and believes that having a single contractor will ensure consistency of services throughout the state and effective referrals of consumers with other legal issues to our other advocates and attorneys. While the CAP advocate will respond to Rehabilitation Act service questions, other issues or concerns can easily be directed to staff working in other protection and advocacy programs, thus ensuring that consumers’ questions can be addressed at one time, resulting in more effective advocacy for the consumer.

CAP was established to improve communication and help resolve issues between clients and vocational rehabilitation counselors and DOR staff. CAP also helps clients understand the rehabilitation process and the benefits available under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. CAP’s role is to provide information about benefits available under the Rehabilitation Act and to assist clients with understanding their rights and responsibilities in relation to receipt of these benefits. Additionally, CAP’s role is to ensure that clients’ rights are protected under the Rehabilitation Act.

The CAP Brochure provides information about the Client Assistance Program and contact information to the CAP project in 10 regional DOR areas. Consumers can reach their CAP advocate by calling DRC’s statewide toll-free number at 1-800-776-5746 or TTY 1-800-719-5798.

If a consumer encounters a problem with the Department of Rehabilitation staff or services, he or she is encouraged to try to resolve the problem first with his or her counselor and/or the supervisor. A consumer can obtain assistance from CAP at any point from the time he or she applies for services to after receipt of services. If a consumer ever has concerns with our services, he or she may file a grievance. The grievance process may be found on the web at: http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/connect/whom.htm.

Video of the Week: Disability Access Tips for the Small Business

Here is a helpful little gem--spend 11 minutes and come away with solid information about the most common obstacles keeping people with disabilities from entering and using a small business. Helps business owners decide if they need a California Access Specialist (CASP) to advise about compliance with accessibility laws. Produced by Consumer Attorneys of California: www.caoc.com/CA/

Case settles: Sacramento County mental health clients will continue receiving support from their service providers

Approximately 5000 people receiving critical mental health services from Sacramento County will receive "continuity of care" from their regional support teams, thanks to a case settled January 23 by Disability Rights California, the Western Center on Law and Poverty and Cooley LLP. The case, Napper et al v. Sacramento County, was filed in 2010 in response to a County plan to abruptly close successful outpatient services and offer alternative services by County employees. See press release for full details and the Stipulation of Parties to a Resolution of All Matters of Issue.