Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Disability Determination Division (DDD) determines if applicants are medically eligible under Social Security law for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income payments. A team consisting of a physician or psychologist and disability examiner will consider all the facts in the case, using medical information from doctors, hospitals, clinics or other places where the client has been treated. You can apply for disability benefits by phone, by mail or by visiting any Social Security Administration office.

The primary vocational rehabilitation services are counseling and guidance with job placement. However, other services may also be provided as needed for an individual to compensate for, correct or prevent disability-based barriers to employment. These services can include, but are not limited to:

• Physical or mental restoration;
• Vocational, college or other training;
• Assistive technology evaluations, equipment and training;
• Information on disability resources;
• Personal assistance services while receiving VR services;
• Transportation in connection with VR services being provided;
• Supported employment;
• Self-employment assistance;
• Transition school-to-work services for youth with disabilities; and
• Other services based on individual needs.

The services a person receives are determined by the person's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). This plan outlines a person's employment goal and the services that are needed to enable the person to achieve that goal. The IPE can be written by a VR client and counselor working together, or it can be written by the client according to guidelines the counselor will explain.

Eligibility: A person may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if he or she has a visual impairment, physical or mental disability that is a barrier to employment and requires VS services to prepare for, obtain, keep or return to work. There must be a chance the person can benefit by going to work.

Cost: Some services, such as medical examinations to determine if a person is eligible for vocational rehabilitation, counseling and job placement, are provided at no charge to the client. For some other services, a client may have to share in the cost, depending on his/her income and resources.

Applying for Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired vocational rehabilitation services: Contact the nearest DRS office at 800-487-4042 or follow this link to find the office nearest you.

Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides advocacy, information and referral, evaluation, guidance and counseling services, and training in alternative skills for daily living for individuals who are deaf-blind and their families. Tactile, vibratory and other equipment which assists people in communicating and receiving environmental information is available.

Individuals may be referred for deaf-blind services who are legally blind or have progressive visual disabilities that will result in legal blindness and severe to profound hearing loss or significant difficulties communicating in home or community settings. There are no age requirements for services; however, this program primarily serves adults.

The Older Blind Independent Living Program expands independent living services for people who are 55 years old or older and legally blind. Rehabilitation teachers located in Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired offices throughout the state provide one-on-one assistance to assist older people in adjusting to blindness and regaining or maintaining maximum independence and self-sufficiency.

2401 N.W. 23rd. Street, Suite 91 (Shepherd Mall)
Oklahoma City 73107-2431

907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 500
Tulsa, OK 74120

Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired’ Assistive Technology Labs provides blind or visually impaired clients quality training either individually or in a group setting to assist them gain valuable hands on experience on assistive technology.

ADA OFFICE
1400 Hoppe Blvd, Suite A
Ada, OK 74820
Office: (580) 310-5301
Email: [email protected]

OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICE
2401 N.W. 23rd Street, Suite 91
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
Office: (405) 522-3442

TULSA OFFICE
907 South Detroit Avenue, Suite 500
Tulsa, OK 74120
Office: (918) 551-4900

The primary vocational rehabilitation services are counseling and guidance with job placement. However, other services may also be provided as needed for an individual to compensate for, correct or prevent disability-based barriers to employment. These services can include, but are not limited to:

• Physical or mental restoration;
• Vocational, college or other training;
• Assistive technology evaluations, equipment and training;
• Information on disability resources;
• Personal assistance services while receiving VR services;
• Transportation in connection with VR services being provided;
• Supported employment;
• Self-employment assistance; and
• Other services based on individual needs.

The services a person receives are determined by the person's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). This plan outlines a person's employment goal and the services that are needed to enable the person to achieve that goal. The IPE can be written by a VR client and counselor working together, or it can be written by the client according to guidelines the counselor will explain.

Eligibility: A person may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services if he or she has a physical or mental disability that is a barrier to employment and requires VR services to prepare for, obtain, keep or return to work. There must be a chance the person can benefit by going to work.

Cost: Some services, such as medical examinations to determine if a person is eligible for vocational rehabilitation, counseling and job placement, are provided at no charge to the client. For some other services, a client may have to share in the cost, depending on his or her income and resources.

Applying for Vocational Rehabilitation services: Contact the nearest DRS office at 800-845-8476 or follow this link to find the office nearest you.

DRS services for those with hearing loss include a variety of programs and informational services. We provide services to individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind and those with speech impairments.

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is a voluntary employment program administered by the Social Security Administration. It offers beneficiaries with disabilities receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income increased choices. With the Ticket program, client options include obtaining services and supports to attain self-supporting employment.

OSB is a residential and day school for children and youth with visual impairments. The School also serves as a statewide resource for the education of blind and visually impaired children in the public schools. Programs and services include:

• Academic instruction through 12th grade;
• Instruction in specialized adaptive skills such as braille, orientation and mobility, use of assistive technology and low vision aids, and independent living skills;
• Vocational training and work-study opportunities;
• College preparation;
• Social, cultural and recreational activities including sports teams, music, band competitions, and a variety of student organizations;
• Outreach services providing technical assistance to help teachers and parents develop appropriate individualized education programs for visually impaired children in public schools;
• Related services such as student assessment, counseling, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, audiological services, health care and parent education and counseling; and
• Library and Media Center with educational materials in alternate formats including Braille, large print and recordings. Assistive devices to try out or borrow include talking appliances, magnifiers, closed-circuit TVs for print enlargement, electronic Braille notetakers and much more.

Summer Enrichment Program: Oklahoma Kids: A Kaleidoscope. For 1st - 12th grade students who are blind or visually impaired. The summer program is for children and youth who do not regularly attend the School for the Blind. The program offers specialized skills instruction, remediation, reinforcement in academic skills, training in use of assistive technology for the blind, recreation and social skills development. Children are transported home each weekend of the four week session.