CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
OVER 40 YEARS
OF HELPING PEOPLE GO TO WORK
CONGRESSIONAL MANDATES
ThenationwideClientAssistanceProgram(CAP)wascreatedin
1984tohelpindividualswithdisabilitiesunderstandandaccess vocationalrehabilitationemploymentservices.
CAPfunctionsasawatchdogofprogramsfundedunderthe RehabilitationActof1973,includingVocationalRehabilitation(VR) andIndependentLivingCenters(ILC).
CongressauthorizestheCAPtoeducate,advocatefor,andsupport individualswithdisabilitiesinaccessingvocationalrehabilitation services.Withhighratesofunderemploymentamongpeoplewith disabilities,CAPplaysacriticalroleinhelpingpeoplefindandmaintain employment.
TheClientAssistanceProgram
CAPwascreated through Congressional authority
CAPcombines oversightwith directadvocacy
Congresshas supportedtheCAP systemforover40 years
CLIENTASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Advocacy and Representation
Information and Guidance
CAPprovidesadvocacyandrepresentationtoensuretherights ofindividualswithdisabilitiesareprotectedintheirinteractions withVocationalRehabilitationagencies,IndependentLiving Centers,andotherprojects,programs,oractivitiesfunded undertheRehabilitationAct.
CAPprovidesinformationandguidanceonVRservices,ILCs, rehabilitationservices,andfederalanti-discriminationlaws
Assistance withAppeals andDue Process
Technical Assistance andSystemic
Advocacy
CAPassistsindividualsinpursuingappealsandother remediestoensuretheirrightsundertheRehabilitationAct areprotected,includingduringmediationsessionsorimpartial dueprocesshearings.
CAPprovidestechnicalassistanceandsystemicadvocacyto improvethedeliveryofservicesandaddresssystemic problemsthatmakeitdifficultforindividualswithdisabilitiesto accessservices
SelfAdvocacy Training
CAPprovidestrainingandresourcestohelpindividualswith disabilitieslearnhowtoadvocateforthemselvesand understandtheirrights
FRAUD,WASTE&ABUSE
Weprovidetrainingandresourcestohelpindividuals withdisabilitiesunderstandtheirrightstocombatabuse inemployment.
Weuncoverwasteinourstate’sVRsystemandadvocate toeliminateit.
Wefocusonthesegoalswithbothindividualand systemicapproaches.
Wetargetthemosteffectivesolutionsforthepeople weserve.
FRAUD
CAPprovides independentoversight offederallyfundedVR andILCprogramsand playsacrucialrolein combatingfraudwithin programsfunded underthe RehabilitationAct.
CAPfraudpreventionincludes: InformationandAdvice
CAPprovidesinformationand advicetoindividualsabout theirrightsandresponsibilities, helpingthemunderstandthe servicestheyareentitledtoand howtonavigatethesystem. Thisknowledgeempowers individualstoreportpotential fraud.
ProblemResolution
CAPresolvesdisputesand concernsrelatedtoservices, includingissueslike disagreementsaboutjob goals,assessments,or employmentplacements.This proactiveapproachcanhelp preventfraudfromoccurring orbeingperpetuated.
ABUSE
TheClientAssistanceProgram educatesindividualsabouttheir rightsandemployersabouttheir responsibilitiestocombat employmentabuse.
Advocacyand Representation
CAPadvocatesonbehalfof individualswhoencounter problemswithservices,helpingto resolvedisputesandensuretheir rightsareprotected.Thisincludes addressingissueslikedenialof services,delays,orlackof communicationfromVR agencies.
Ouradvocacyempowers individualstoreportpotential abuse.
In2024,working-agepeoplewithoutdisabilitieswerenearlytwiceas likelytobeemployed(75%)comparedtopeoplewithdisabilities (38%).Taxpayersoftenbeartheburdenofthiswasteofworkforce participation.Wehelppeopletoobtainandmaintainemployment therebyreducingrelianceonotherfederallyfundedprograms.
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ROCHESTER
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Disability Rights New York, 279 Troy Road, Ste 9, PMB 236, Rensselaer, NY 12144
DRNY is supported at taxpayer expense by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Administration for Community Living; Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration; U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration; and, the Social Security Administration. This publication does not represent the views, positions or policies of, or the endorsements by, any of these federal agencies.
