CAP

Client Assistance Program – CAP

CAP is the advocacy program for people with disabilities who are seeking or receiving rehabilitation services authorized in the Rehabilitation Act and provided by or funded through the State of Hawaii’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Services to the Blind Division.

The Client Assistance Program may provide the following assistance or service:

• Inform and advise applicants and recipients of all available services under the Rehabilitation Act and under Title I (Employment) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Help applicants and recipients obtain services funded under the Rehabilitation Act, whether the services are provided by the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Services to the Blind Division, or by any of their private providers, such as the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living.
• Investigate the questions or complaints that applicants and recipients have about services provided under the Rehabilitation Act.
• Assist applicants and recipients to resolve problems they may have with their rehabilitation counselor or other providers.
• Assist applicants and recipients to appeal decisions made by counselors or programs providing rehabilitation services.
• Represent applicants and recipients in administrative, legal or other appropriate proceedings when they are not receiving the treatment, services or rehabilitation they are entitled to under the Rehabilitation Act.
• Link applicants and recipients to other agencies that may be able to assist them, including Protection and Advocacy (P&A) for people with disabilities.

CAP may assist the following individuals:

• Applicants for VR services – individuals who have applied for VR services, but a final determination of eligibility has not been made.
• Applicants or Clients of Independent Living Programs – individuals who either applied for or are receiving Independent Living (IL) services.
• Applicants or Clients of Special Projects (Non-VR) – individuals who either applied for or are receiving services from any grantee authorized by one of the discretionary grant programs of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Clients of VR – individuals who have been determined eligible for services.
• Individuals Seeking Information – on services and benefits under the Rehabilitation Act and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Applicants or Clients of Facilities (Non-VR) – individuals who have relationships with any facility that provides rehabilitation services and is not otherwise classifiable into any of the five preceding categories.

CAP may assist with the following problems:

• Client/staff conflicts
• Communication related problems
• Information desired
• Non-Rehabilitation Act related problems
• Eligibility/application problems
• Service related problems

CAP can assist individuals at any time during the rehabilitation process:

• When they are interested in applying for services
• During the application process
• When they are receiving services
• When they have finished receiving services
• When they have begun working, but still have questions or concerns

The Rehabilitation Act established certain rights for individuals seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services, including:

1. THE RIGHT to apply for vocational rehabilitation services. This includes the right to an evaluation.
2. THE RIGHT to be provided services without regard to race, color, sex, age, creed, religion, national origin or disability.
3. THE RIGHT to be involved in planning their own rehabilitation program and to be informed of any changes to the program.
4. THE RIGHT to confidentiality. All information obtained by the vocational rehabilitation counselor can only be used for the applicant / client’s rehabilitation program.
5. THE RIGHT to appeal a decision made by the vocational rehabilitation counselor.
6. THE RIGHT to request assistance and advocacy services from CAP – the Client Assistance Program