Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
The Legal Center, through our Client Assistance Program (CAP) and Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS), can help persons who are having difficulty obtaining services from the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Federal law requires the Division of Rehabilitation (DVR) to provide services that are needed to help individuals with disabilities obtain vocational goals and become employed. To be eligible for DVR services:
- An individual must have a disability
- The disability must be a substantial barrier to the individual becoming employed
- The individual must need rehabilitation services in order to work
Rehabilitation services are provided according to individual needs and based on an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The individual with a disability develops the IPE in cooperation with a vocational rehabilitation counselor. Vocational services that can be provided include any services described in an IPE that are necessary to help a person prepare for, secure, retain, or regain work. The following are examples of possible rehabilitation services:
- Vocational guidance, counseling and training
- Job-seeking skills training
- Vocational assessments
- Job-coaching services
- Classroom tuition assistance including higher education and help purchasing tools, materials and books
- Diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental impairments to reduce or eliminate impediments to employment
- Assistive technology
Individuals who have disagreements regarding obtaining services from DVR are entitled to an appeal procedure to resolve those disagreements. The Legal Center's services range from providing information and technical assistance about obtaining services from DVR to directly representing individuals in dispute resolution procedures to resolve disagreements regarding how DVR services are provided.
