Public Invited To Disability Program Hearings

OKLAHOMA CITY - Proposed rule changes potentially affecting several programs for Oklahomans with disabilities will be the focus of a public hearing held by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC).

The public is encouraged to attend the meetings, which will be held in Oklahoma City on Feb. 6, Tulsa on Feb. 7 and Lawton on Feb. 8.

Programs affected by the proposed new rules are administered by DRS and include vocational rehabilitation and employment services for Oklahomans with all types of disabilities.

DRS provides a variety of services that help individuals with disabilities achieve employment, personal independence and self-sufficiency. The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council advises DRS on development of policies and plans for rehabilitation services.

Some of the changes to the policies include:

• Chapter 1 updating and clarifying language.
• Chapter 10 involve updating and clarifying language; conforming to changes in state law and federal regulations; requiring supervisory review for certain levels of dental costs and self-employment plans.
• Chapter 20 include updating and clarifying language; removing Trial de novo per legislative actions and moving policy from VR to OSD where the program is now located.
• Chapter 25 include updating language, removing duplications; following auditors recommendations and following legal requirements.

The public is invited to comment on proposed rule changes. Public hearing dates and locations are:

• Oklahoma City – Monday, Feb. 6, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Department of Rehabilitation Services State Office, 3535 NW 58th St., 2nd floor conference room
• Tulsa – Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Total Source for Hearing-loss and Access (TSHA), 8740 E. 11th, Conference Room
• Lawton – Wednesday, Feb. 8, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Great Plains Technical Center, 4500 S.W. Lee Blvd., Bldg. 300, Room 301A

The proposed rule changes are available on the DRS website. To read them go to www.okdrs.gov.

Copies of the proposed rules may also be obtained by writing the Policy Development Unit, attention Ray Leard, Department of Rehabilitation Services, 3535 NW 58, Suite 500, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Leard may be reached by email, policycomment@okdrs.gov, phone, (405) 951-3406 or (800) 845-8476. Both numbers are accessible by telecommunication devices for the deaf.

Persons unable to attend the hearings may send written comments to Ray Leard at the address above or by email to policycomment@okdrs.gov. Comments must be received no later than Feb. 8, 2012.

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