RSA-227 for FY-2025: Submission #21

State name Louisiana

Report through date 09/30/2025

General Information

Designated Agency Identification

Name Disability Rights Louisiana

Address 8325 Oak Street

Address Line 2

City New Orleans

State Louisiana

Zip Code 70118

E-mail Address info@disabilityrightsla.org

Website Address https://disabilityrightsla.org/

Phone 504-522-2337

TTY

Toll-free Phone 800-960-7705

Toll-free TTY

Fax 504-522-5507

Operating Agency (if different from Designated Agency)

Name

Address

Address Line 2

City

Zip Code

State

E-mail Address

Website Address

Phone

TTY

Toll-free Phone

Toll-free TTY

Fax

Additional Information

Name of CAP Director/Coordinator Ranie Thompson

Person to contact regarding report Debra Weinberg

Contact Person Phone 5047172791

Contact Person E-mail Address dweinberg@disabilityrightsla.org

Part I. Non-case Services

A. Information and Referral Services (I&R)

1. Information regarding the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program 51

2. Information regarding independent living programs 0

3. Information regarding American Indian VR Service projects 0

4. Information regarding Title I of the ADA 0

5. Other information provided 14

6. Information regarding CAP 9

7. Total I&R services provided (Lines A1 through A6) 74

B. Training Activities

1. Number of training sessions presented to community groups and public agencies. 5

2. Number of individuals who attended these training sessions. 136

3. Describe training presented by the staff. Include the following information: During FY2025, the CAP program manager presented to the vocational rehabilitation staff at the Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Monroe area Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) offices, and the statewide conference of the LRS regional managers on CAP services with the purpose of increasing the potential for collaboration between CAP and state vocational rehabilitation services.

DRLA co-sponsored and CAP staff presented at a statewide, virtual conference titled “Empowerment through Employment” Conference in August 2025. The conference was open to the public and attended by vocational rehabilitation professionals, social services providers, educators, support personnel, family members, and people with disabilities. The conference covered supports available to people with disabilities to discover the path to a desired career, including sessions on Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, customized employment, Postsecondary Education Opportunities in Louisiana, an introduction to Social Security Disability Benefits Counseling & Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE), Self-Advocacy in the Workplace, the Pathways to Success demonstration project, and Employer/Employee Dynamics.

C. Agency Outreach

Describe the agency's outreach efforts to previously un-served or underserved individuals including minority communities. DRLA reaches out to people with disabilities via its website, email blasts, social media, mail, virtual outreach and training, and in-person at outreach and training events throughout Louisiana. DRLA distributes information about its programs and services in rural areas and areas. DRLA continues to provide a variety of informational flyers and publications at a grade level that all persons can read and understand. The informational flyers, publications, and our website are available in alternative formats and languages.

Outreach is further accomplished through participation or membership on the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council (LRC) and LSU Human Development Center Consumer Advisory Committee. DRLA collaborates with the following organizations: Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), LSU Human Development Center, the Parent Training and Information Center, the Statewide Independent Living Centers, and Families Helping Families.

DRLA continues to make a concerted effort to conduct outreaches to address employment needs of formerly incarcerated persons with disabilities and collaborates often with the agency’s Financial Access Inclusion Resources (FAIR) Program. DRLA continues to be actively involved with the Louisiana APSE Board and the National Association of Benefits and Work Incentives Counselors. The CAP program continues to reach out to the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) in the state to provide further services and information to this population in the instance they require CAP advocacy to get through the VR process.

D. Information Disseminated To The Public By Your Agency

1. Agency Staff Interviewed or Featured on Radio and TV 3

2. Articles about CAP Featured in Newspaper/Magazine/Journals 0

3. PSAs/Videos Aired about the CAP Agency 0

4. Publications/Booklets/Brochures Disseminated by the Agency 37

5. Number of Times CAP Exhibited at Conferences, Community Fairs, etc. 1

6. Other 7

Please explain below • Facebook - 904,727 views
• Twitter/X - 1054 followers
• Instagram - 2,457 views
• LinkedIn - 372 impressions
• Youtube - 665 views
• Number of newsletters sent out in FY26 - 4 newsletters
• Number of subscribers on our email list - 6649 subscribers

E. Information Disseminated About Your Agency By External Media Coverage

Describe the various sources and information disseminated about your agency by an external source. DRLA's advocates, attorneys and other staff appeared in a variety of media formats in FY25 covering the breadth of our Priorities and Goals. In addition to various articles featured in printed newspapers and online websites on our advocacy on issues ranging from competitive employment, autonomy, access, institutional and educational rights, home healthcare, to voting rights, and more - media coverage includes these examples:

In October of 2024, four articles by DRLA's Legal Team (including an introduction co-authored by Debra Weinberg) were featured in the October 2024 issue of the Louisiana Bar Journal dedicated to disability related topics ranging from disaster resilience, autonomy issues, and access to legal services.

Nationally, members of DRLA's Financial Access Inclusion and Resources (FAIR) program were featured on a podcast from parent network National Disability Rights Network (NDRN): "NDRN Radio - The Pro Host With the Most" in October of 2024. In celebrating National Disability Employment Month, DRLA's FAIR team spoke about their program's support for formerly incarcerated people with disabilities' efforts to become financially stable.

DRLA Policy Analyst, Ashley Volion, was featured on CBS News' April 4th story on their nightly national TV show and web formats, "New Louisiana election laws creating challenges for voters with disabilities." She was again featured on May 3rd for her work on advocacy around potential Medicaid cuts on WRKF 89.3 AMs show "All Things Considered" based in Baton Rouge and distributed online.

DRLA Director of Policy and Community Advocacy, Tory Rocca was featured on KPEL radio 965AM based in Lafayette and shared online as part of their story, "Investigations Reveal Systemic Failures in Protecting Louisiana's Disabled Citizens."

DRLA signed on to a number of initiatives featured in press releases over the reporting period, including those dedicated to advocacy for people with disabilities as related to education reform, autonomy, and ending sub-minimum wages for workers with disabilities, among other competitive employment issues.

Part II. Individual Case Services

A. Individuals served

1. Individuals who are still being served as of October 1 (carryover from prior year) 27

2. Additional individuals who were served during the year 29

3. Total individuals served (Lines A1+A2) 56

4. Individuals (from Line A3) who had multiple case files opened/closed this year. 2

5. Individual still being served as of September 30 (Carryover to next year. This total may not exceed Line A3.) 10

B. Problem areas

1. Individual requests information 1

2. Communication problems between individual and VR counselor 12

3. Conflict about VR services to be provided 37

4. Related to VR application/eligibility process 2

5. Related to assignment to order of selection priority category 0

6. Related to IPE development/implementation 6

7. Related to independent living services 0

8. Other Rehabilitation Act-related problems 0

C. Intervention Strategies for closed cases

1. Short Term Technical Assistance 38

2. Investigation/Monitoring 0

3. Negotiation 9

4. Mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution 0

5. Administrative / Informal Review 0

6. Formal appeal / Fair Hearing 0

7. Legal remedy / Litigation 1

8. Total 48

D. Reasons for closing individuals' case files

1. All issues resolved in individual's favor 38

2. Some issues resolved in individual's favor 7

3. CAP determines VR agency position/decision was appropriate for the individual 0

4. Individual's case lacks legal merit 1

5. Individual chose alternative representation 0

6. Individual withdrew complaint 0

7. Issue not resolved in clients favor 1

8. CAP services not needed due to individual's death, relocation, etc. 0

9. Individual not responsive/cooperative with CAP 1

10. CAP unable to take case due to lack of resources 0

11. Conflict of interest 0

12. Other 0

(Please explain below) n/a

E. Results achieved for individuals

1. Controlling law/policy explained to individual 7

2. Application for services completed 0

3. Eligibility determination expedited 0

4. Individual participated in evaluation 0

5. IPE developed/implemented/Services Provided 32

6. Communication re-established between individual and other party 9

7. Individual assigned to new counselor/office 0

8. Alternative resources identified for individual 0

9. ADA/504/EEO/OCR complaint made 0

10. Other 0

(Please explain below) n/a

Part III. Program Data

A. Age

1. Up to 18 1

2. 19 - 24 15

3. 25 - 40 14

4. 41 - 64 20

5. 65 and over 6

6. Total (Sum of Lines A1 through A5. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 56

B. Gender

1. Females 29

2. Males 27

3. Nonbinary or Another Gender 0

4. Unknown 0

5. Total (Lines B1+B2+B3+B4. Total must equal Part II Line A3.) 56

C. Race/ethnicity of Individuals Served

1. Hispanic/Latino of any race 0

2. American Indian or Alaskan Native 0

3. Asian 1

4. Black or African American 21

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0

6. White 31

7. Two or more races 2

8. Race/ethnicity unknown 1

D. Primary disabling condition of individuals served

1. Acquired Brain Injury 2

2. ADD/ADHD 5

3. AIDS/HIV 0

4. Amputations or Absence of Extremities 0

5. Arthritis or Rheumatism 0

6. Anxiety Disorder 3

7. Autism Spectrum Disorder 9

8. Autoimmune or Immune Deficiencies 1

10. Other visual impairments 5

11. Cancer 0

12. Cerebral Palsy 0

13. Deafness 2

14. Hard of Hearing/Hearing Impaired 3

16. Diabetes 0

17. Digestive disorders 0

18. Epilepsy 2

19. Heart and other circulatory conditions 2

20. Intellectual Disability 2

21. Mental illness 0

22. Multiple Sclerosis 0

23. Muscular Dystrophy 2

24. Muscular/Skeletal Impairment 2

25. Neurological Disorders/Impairment 0

26. Orthopedic impairments 4

27. Personality Disorders 3

28. Respiratory Disorders/Impairment 0

29. Skin Conditions 0

30. Specific learning disabilities (SLD) 3

31. Speech Impairments 0

32. Spina Bifida 0

33. Substance abuse 1

34. Other disability 0

35. Total (Sum of Lines D1through D34. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 56

E. Types of Individuals Served

1. Applicant of VR 1

2. Individual eligible for VR services currently on a wait list 0

3. Individual eligible for VR services not currently on a wait list 53

4. Applicant or individual eligible for Independent Living 0

5. Transition student/High school student 2

6. All other applicants or individuals eligible for other programs or projects funded unther Rehabilitation Act 0

Part IV. Systemic Activities and Litigation

A. Non-Litigation Systemic Activities

1. Number of non-litigation systemic activities not involving individual representation that resulted in the change of one or more policy or practice of an agency. 2

2. Describe the systemic activities conducted by CAP during the fiscal year and its impact on other agency's policies or practices. Through a coordinated effort between our agencies, the CAP staff participated in two major initiatives planned and executed by Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS). The first was the LRS new-hire training program, VR Journey, held December 9–13, 2024. This multi-day training gave CAP a greater understanding of the entire VR process from beginning to end, viewed from the perspective of the VR counselor. This included collaborative work in team settings and breakout sessions that included sample case studies. Although there was some hesitation at the start of the training to openly discuss ideas with CAP employees present, this changed as the sessions progressed, ultimately building a more unified, team-centered approach focused on improving outcomes for clients.

The CAP Program Manager participated in the quarterly regional managers’ meeting held at the state LRS office. During this meeting, the Program Manager provided a presentation on CAP’s efforts over the past year and its goals for the coming year. The primary focus of the meeting was to develop a shared understanding of how CAP and LRS could more effectively resolve difficult cases, particularly those requiring exceptions to current LRS rules. In the past, each regional manager independently made decisions regarding exceptions, resulting in inconsistent outcomes. With the statewide Director of VR Services now overseeing the exception process, there has been a significant improvement in consistency and positive outcomes, with clients ultimately benefitting from the strengthened collaboration between LRS and CAP.

B. Litigation

a. Number of cases requiring litigation involving individual representation filed during fiscal year. 0

b. Number of on-going cases pending at start of fiscal year (carryover from prior fiscal year). 1

c. Number of cases resolved through litigation during fiscal year. 1

2. Describe the agency's on-going and completed systemic litigation activities involving individual representation. In FY 24, the CAP program was contacted by a farmer who lives in a rural part of the state. After a car accident, he sustained a spinal cord injury and has a permanent mobility impairment. He uses a walker, or for longer distances, a wheelchair. The client applied to Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (“LRS”) for LRS to furnish him with a modified side-by-side ATV with hand controls, so that he can navigate muddy or unstable farm terrain. This side-by-side was to replace one that LRS previously bought for him. Despite LRS policy expressly permitting LRS to buy “powered mobility systems” for vocational rehabilitation, LRS denied the client's request based on a state regulation that prohibits it from purchasing “vehicles.” CAP represented the client in an appeal to an impartial hearing officer, who ruled in the client’s favor and ordered LRS to supply the side-by-side. LRS then appealed to the Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, who reversed the impartial hearing officer and again deemed the side-by-side to be a “vehicle.” We represented the client at the state district court on judicial review of this decision. The state district court reinstated the impartial hearing officer’s decision, ruling in the client’s favor and ordering LRS to supply the side-by-side. Subsequently, LRS appealed the decision to the state appeals court. While DRLA is defending against this appeal, it is doing so solely under the funding of a separate federal grant.

Part V. Agency Information

A. Designated Agency

1. Agency Type (select only one option): External-Protection and Advocacy agency

2. Name of designate agency: Disability Rights Louisiana

3. Is the designated agency contracting CAP services? No

4. If yes, name of contracting agency:

B. Staff Employed

1. Provide a description of all CAP positions Disability Rights Louisiana (DRLA) organizes its professional staff by teams related to each priority and goal within the agency's annual plan. Collaboration between teams is encouraged, and team members specialize in areas of law and advocacy across multiple programs.

Time calculations are based on actual time reported on a bi-weekly basis. Administrative and support staff's time are allocated across all programs in a pro-rata share of total agency staff hours worked. Disability Rights Louisiana's CAP Program falls within the agency's Community Advocacy Team. During the entirety of this fiscal year, this team was led by the Director of Community Advocacy who worked in the CAP grant .12 FTE. The CAP program was managed by a CAP Program Manager, working in the CAP grant .72 FTE. In November 2024, the CAP Client Advocate was promoted from part-time to full time. During FY25, the CAP Client Advocate worked under the CAP grant at .72 FTE. During FY25, 2 intake specialists provided intake, information and referral services to the CAP grant at .07FTE. In January 2025,1 intake assistant was hired to provided intake, information and referral services and during FY25 provided services to the CAP grant at a total of .02FTE. During FY25, DRLA attorneys and paralegal supported the CAP grant at a total of .21 FTE. Our Policy and Community Engagement team provided support to the CAP grant at .03FTE.

The administrative and support percentages, which equal less than .8 FTE, includes the agency's Executive Director, Executive Assistant, Director of Finance, Development Director, IT Manager, Assistant Director of Finance, HR Manager, Communications & Outreach Director, and Receptionist.

Following is a chart of CAP staff divided by position, FTE, and percentage of the year the position was filled:

Position; FTE; % of Year Filled; FTE multiplied by % filled

Director of Community Advocacy; .12FTE; 100% .12FTE
CAP Program Manager; .72FTE; 100%; .72FTE
CAP Part-Time Client Advocate; .41FTE; 8%; .03FTE
CAP Full-Time Client Advocate; .75FTE; 92%; .69FTE
DRLA attorneys and paralegal .05FTE;; 100%; .05FTE
Intake Specialists; .07FTE; 100%; .07FTE
Intake Assistant; .03FTE; 75%; .02FTE
Policy and Community Engagement; .03FTE; 100%; .03FTE
Administrative & Support; .79.FTE; 100%; .79.FTE
Total FTE: 2.52FTE

Part VI. Case Examples

Case Examples

Provide some examples of some interesting cases during the past fiscal year. A client requested assistance from CAP in obtaining attendant care services while she finishes higher education. CAP not only successfully negotiated for LRS to provide these attendant care services, but also obtained a director’s exception that allowed the client’s mother to be that paid attendant, due to the unique needs of the client’s disability. The CAP advocate was also able to assist in advocating for the client to receive a computer to use for her studies. As a result the client is able to continue her studies.

A client who was hard-of-hearing and had vision loss requested CAP’s assistance in getting LRS to approve more mental health counseling hours than the conventional 10 hours provided via mental health restoration. Through negotiation with LRS, the CAP advocate obtained both the approval of the requested hours of mental health counseling, and approval for 2 interpreters for these sessions so that the client could have both a conventional sign language and tactile sign language interpreter as needed based on his disability. The advocate further negotiated for LRS to fund the clients enrollment in out-of-state specialized education program for individuals with visual disabilities, including travel, maintenance, and room and board. Additionally, LRS agreed to provide a cochlear implant for the client. With these supports, the client is gaining the skills necessary to meet his goal which is to attend university and study accounting and finance.

CAP assisted a student who qualified for the VR to subsidize their college tuition based on their disability. The LRS counselor agreed to this, and in the Fall of 2024 a plan was written to cover the tuition. However, the counselor never turned in the plan for approval, thus no funds were released to pay the tuition. When the student went to register for the next semester, a debt showed, and the family was garnished for non-payment of the tuition. With intervention by the CAP Advocate highlighting the counselor’s error, LRS quickly moved to correct the error, and the student was reimbursed for the tuition, including the related garnishment and fees,
and was able to register for the next semester.

Certification

Reports are to be submitted to RSA within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Please be reminded that you can enter data directly into the RSA website via the internet. Information on transmittal of the form is found on pages 19 and 20 of the reporting instructions.

Name and Title of Authorized Certifying Official

I agree to submit this form by electronic means. By signing this form electronically, I certify under penalty of perjury that my answers are correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that an electronic signature has the same legal meaning and can be enforced in the same way as a written signature.

Full Legal Name of Signer: Ranie Thompson

Certifying Official Title Executive Director

By checking this box and typing my full legal name above, I am electronically signing this form. Yes

Date Certified (mm/dd/yyyy) 2025-12-15

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OMB Control Number: 1820-0528, approved for use through 07/31/2023

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 16 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is required to obtain or retain a benefit (Section 13 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended). Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4537 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1820-0528. Note: Please do not return the completed form to this address.

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