The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services has reopened job preparation and employment services for a category of jobseekers with the most severe disabilities known as Priority Group 1, effective February 15.

Vocational Rehabilitation counselors and technicians from DRS’ two employment divisions, Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, will begin immediately serving jobseekers transferred from the waiting list.

DRS must continue to defer services to clients with disabilities in priority groups 2 and 3. The opening of priority group 1 will allow DRS to serve people with the most severe disabilities first and later offer services to those in the remaining groups.

Wait lists occurred in 2017 due to budget restrictions. Then unprecedented changes brought about by the COVID shutdowns extended the length of time the waitlists were in place. Since 2017, DRS has moved 20,093 applicants from waiting lists to active caseloads.

DRS contracts with vendors across the state to provide clients with goods and services managed by staff to help clients reach their employment goals. Vendor resources refers to the capacity of community partners to meet demand.

Only new applicants are affected by waiting lists. Current clients will continue to be served at the same levels.

In 2022, DRS’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Visual Services divisions provided counseling, medical and psychological services, training, job placement assistance and other services to 11,458 Oklahomans with disabilities.

To reach the nearest DRS Vocational Rehabilitation or Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired office, visit https://www.okdrs.gov/ office-locator or phone 800-487-4042.