Library: Policy

340:1-11-43. Office for Civil Rights (OCR) responsibilities

Revised 9-15-23

(a) OCR, as designated by the Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) Director, is responsible for coordination, oversight, and implementation of the reasonable accommodation request and appeal process.

(1) OCR continuously evaluates each program, office, and facility to ensure compliance with all current rules, practices, and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act procedures.

(2) OCR receives notification of all accommodation requests and dispositions.  After opening a case, OCR monitors each request to ensure the requests are processed timely and contacts the responsible regional director, division or program director, or designee when an accommodation request is not resolved by the end of the 30-calendar day, interactive process.

(3) OCR maintains a record of all requests for reasonable accommodation, and summary information on the numbers, natures, and outcomes of requests filed separately and apart from individual employee personnel files and client case records.

(4) Statistical information concerning request activity is released or reported to interested persons.  The Oklahoma Open Records Act governs access to individual records and only those persons with a right of access as provided in the Oklahoma Open Records Act may review an individual request file.  OKDHS maintains open record requests per federal and state laws governing record retention and destruction.

(b) All OKDHS employees are responsible for assisting any client who may be in need of reasonable accommodation by referring the client to the local Americans with Disabilities coordinator.

(c) The local ADA coordinator may assist a client in completing Form 14CR003E, Request for Reasonable Accommodation, and then forwards the original form to OCR.  The OCR coordinator determines if the request can be resolved locally, and if not, the request is forwarded to the regional director, division or program director, or designee for resolution.