RSA-227 for FY-2025: Submission #34

State name Alabama

Report through date 09/30/2025

General Information

Designated Agency Identification

Name Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program

Address 2008 12th Street

Address Line 2

City Tuscaloosa

State Alabama

Zip Code 35401

E-mail Address adap@adap.ua.edu

Website Address https://sites.ua.edu/adap/

Phone 205-348-4829

TTY

Toll-free Phone 800-826-1672

Toll-free TTY

Fax 205-348-3909

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 Andrea Mixson

Person to contact regarding report Molly White

Contact Person Phone 205-348-5093

Contact Person E-mail Address mserviss@adap.ua.edu

Part I. Non-case Services

A. Information and Referral Services (I&R)

1. Information regarding the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program 9

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 1

6. Information regarding CAP 3

7. Total I&R services provided (Lines A1 through A6) 13

B. Training Activities

1. Number of training sessions presented to community groups and public agencies. 13

2. Number of individuals who attended these training sessions. 5213

3. Describe training presented by the staff. Include the following information: APSE CONFERENCE
Topic: Self- Advocacy in Employment
Purpose To provide education and conduct outreach for adults regarding ways to self-advocate for VRS services and employment accommodations under the ADA.
Description of Attendees: service providers, advocates, and clients of VRS.

AL American Child & Adoles.
(a)Topic: Services to Support Employment for Transition Age Youth
(b)Purpose: To provide a group of Alabama adolescent psychiatrists with information to share with their clients on the rights and services available to youth with disabilities who are applicants and clients of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
(c)Description of Attendees: physicians providing mental health services to adolescents.

AL AER
(a) Topic: Information on self-advocacy
(b) Purpose: Provide information and training about disability rights and services, self-advocacy strategies, alternatives to guardianship/self-determination, and Medicaid HCBS waivers.
(c) Description of Attendees: individuals with vision impairments and service providers.

AT CONFERENCE
(a)Topic: Information on CAP program (AT Conference)
(b)Purpose: Educate attendees on ADAP and our services, including self-advocacy and empowerment, in areas of special education, Medicaid waivers, transition to adulthood, alternatives to guardianship, employment/CAP, and PABSS.
(c)Description of Attendees: individuals and families of individuals with disabilities needing assistive technology.

ADAP Staff Retreat for Children's Advocacy Team
(a) Topic: Pre-Employment and VR transition services
(b) Purpose: To provide ADAP's special education advocates and attorneys with information on how to advocate for VRS services for ADAP's transition age youth clients.
(c) Description of Attendees: The P&A staff who practice special education law..

DEMOPOLIS TRANSITION TRAINING:
(a)Topic: P&A Advocacy services
(b)Purpose: An evening in rural Alabama with invited service providers to discuss transition, supported decision making, jobs, Medicaid waivers, and the future priorities and objectives of ADAP
(c)Description of Attendees: service providers of individuals with disabilities

FULL LIFE AHEAD CAMP
(a)Topic: Transition Services
(b)Purpose: ADAP staff conducted 1-1 interviews with approximately 13 families who were in need of information regarding the supports and services available to
them from special education, medicaid waivers, vocational rehabilitation. ADAP also provided families with information on voting rights and supported decision-making.
(c)Description of Attendees: Families and their children with developmental disabilities

HALE COUNTY TRANSITION FAIR
(a)Topic: Transition Services for Youth with Disabilities
(b)Purpose: Providing information to rural community about what CAP services available for transition age youth.
(c)Description of Attendees: Community members of rural community

MONROE COUNTY RAN
(a)Topic: CAP services
(b)Purpose: Provide information to rural community on CAP services, educational rights, and Medicaid waivers.
(c)Description of Attendees: Family members and service providers of youth with disabilities

RAN PERRY OPTIMIST CLUB
(a)Topic: Rural Outreach
(b)Purpose: To expand utilization of the Ticket
to Work Program and Vocational Rehabilitation Services to rural area of the state to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in that area.
(c)Description of Attendees: Members of community service organization.

TUSCALOOSA TRANSITION FAIR
(a)Topic: Resources for community integration
(b)Purpose: to educate audience on CAP, PABSS, and ADAP services
(c)Description of Attendees: Individuals with disabilities, families, and service providers of individuals with disabilities.

SOUTH HIGHLAND OUTREACH PROJECT
(a)Topic: CAP Services and Rights to VR Services
(b)Purpose: To provide information to peer support group of individuals with disabilities interested in entering or re-entering the workforce
(c)Attendees: Adults with disabilities with mental health conditions.

USA RAN Workshop
(a)Topic: CAP services, Rights to VR Services, ADA
(b)Purpose: to provide information to families of yount adults with autism about what services a client of VRS can expect to receive and self-advocacy skills for when VRS denies a client a particular service. How to effectively advocate for employment accommodations at work.

C. Agency Outreach

Describe the agency's outreach efforts to previously un-served or underserved individuals including minority communities. Not Applicable

D. Information Disseminated To The Public By Your Agency

1. Agency Staff Interviewed or Featured on Radio and TV 0

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 1

5. Number of Times CAP Exhibited at Conferences, Community Fairs, etc. 16

6. Other 0

Please explain below N/A

E. Information Disseminated About Your Agency By External Media Coverage

Describe the various sources and information disseminated about your agency by an external source. N/A

Part II. Individual Case Services

A. Individuals served

1. Individuals who are still being served as of October 1 (carryover from prior year) 8

2. Additional individuals who were served during the year 8

3. Total individuals served (Lines A1+A2) 16

4. Individuals (from Line A3) who had multiple case files opened/closed this year. 0

5. Individual still being served as of September 30 (Carryover to next year. This total may not exceed Line A3.) 8

B. Problem areas

1. Individual requests information 0

2. Communication problems between individual and VR counselor 1

3. Conflict about VR services to be provided 8

4. Related to VR application/eligibility process 3

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

6. Related to IPE development/implementation 3

7. Related to independent living services 0

8. Other Rehabilitation Act-related problems 1

C. Intervention Strategies for closed cases

1. Short Term Technical Assistance 2

2. Investigation/Monitoring 0

3. Negotiation 0

4. Mediation and other methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution 2

5. Administrative / Informal Review 0

6. Formal appeal / Fair Hearing 4

7. Legal remedy / Litigation 0

8. Total 8

D. Reasons for closing individuals' case files

1. All issues resolved in individual's favor 5

2. Some issues resolved in individual's favor 0

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

4. Individual's case lacks legal merit 0

5. Individual chose alternative representation 0

6. Individual withdrew complaint 0

7. Issue not resolved in clients favor 0

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

9. Individual not responsive/cooperative with CAP 0

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 2

2. Application for services completed 0

3. Eligibility determination expedited 1

4. Individual participated in evaluation 0

5. IPE developed/implemented/Services Provided 2

6. Communication re-established between individual and other party 3

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 3

2. 19 - 24 3

3. 25 - 40 4

4. 41 - 64 5

5. 65 and over 1

6. Total (Sum of Lines A1 through A5. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 16

B. Gender

1. Females 10

2. Males 6

3. Nonbinary or Another Gender 0

4. Unknown 0

5. Total (Lines B1+B2+B3+B4. Total must equal Part II Line A3.) 16

C. Race/ethnicity of Individuals Served

1. Hispanic/Latino of any race 1

2. American Indian or Alaskan Native 0

3. Asian 1

4. Black or African American 5

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0

6. White 9

7. Two or more races 0

8. Race/ethnicity unknown 0

D. Primary disabling condition of individuals served

1. Acquired Brain Injury 0

2. ADD/ADHD 0

3. AIDS/HIV 0

4. Amputations or Absence of Extremities 1

5. Arthritis or Rheumatism 0

6. Anxiety Disorder 0

7. Autism Spectrum Disorder 1

8. Autoimmune or Immune Deficiencies 0

10. Other visual impairments 0

11. Cancer 0

12. Cerebral Palsy 2

13. Deafness 1

14. Hard of Hearing/Hearing Impaired 1

16. Diabetes 0

17. Digestive disorders 1

18. Epilepsy 0

19. Heart and other circulatory conditions 0

20. Intellectual Disability 2

21. Mental illness 3

22. Multiple Sclerosis 0

23. Muscular Dystrophy 0

24. Muscular/Skeletal Impairment 1

25. Neurological Disorders/Impairment 0

26. Orthopedic impairments 1

27. Personality Disorders 0

28. Respiratory Disorders/Impairment 0

29. Skin Conditions 0

30. Specific learning disabilities (SLD) 1

31. Speech Impairments 0

32. Spina Bifida 0

33. Substance abuse 0

34. Other disability 0

35. Total (Sum of Lines D1through D34. Total must equal Part II, Line A3.) 16

E. Types of Individuals Served

1. Applicant of VR 11

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

3. Individual eligible for VR services not currently on a wait list 2

4. Applicant or individual eligible for Independent Living 0

5. Transition student/High school student 3

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. 1

2. Describe the systemic activities conducted by CAP during the fiscal year and its impact on other agency's policies or practices. The P&A monitors facilities providing care and treatment of youth with developmental and mental health disabilities. In talking with residents of these facilities, the P&A learned that students often attend on campus schools and have little to no access to pre-employment transition services (pre-ets) or vocational rehabilitation services (VRS) during their placement. This lack of access to VRS services places students sometimes years. In FY 2025, the CAP met with director of a residential facility that provides treatment for one of ADAP’s clients who has a developmental disability. Many of the youth receiving treatment at the facility are in foster care and have surrogate educational decisionmakers for the IEP process. The CAP explained that surrogate educational decisionmakers and parents of students needed to know that they can invite vocational rehabilitation services representatives to attend IEP meetings. As a result, students were not being referred for the job-readiness skill lessons and work-based learning opportunities among other VRS services they needed to enter competitive integrated employment following graduation. Following the meeting with the CAP, the facility director requested that a representative from the state agency visit the facility to begin the process of accepting referrals for pre-ets and eligibility for VR services. CAP will monitor this facility to ensure that students have access to pre-employment transition and transition services, including the presence of VRS staff at student’s IEP meetings.

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). 0

c. Number of cases resolved through litigation during fiscal year. 0

2. Describe the agency's on-going and completed systemic litigation activities involving individual representation.

Part V. Agency Information

A. Designated Agency

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

2. Name of designate agency: Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program

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 Type of Position FTE % of year filled Person years
Professional
Full-time 1.01 95% 0.96
Part-time
Vacant .05 5% .00
Clerical
Full-time .25 98% .25
Part-time
Vacant .02 2% 0.00

Part VI. Case Examples

Case Examples

Provide some examples of some interesting cases during the past fiscal year. 1) A client contacted the CAP needing assistance in completing two trial work assessments to complete eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and determine what support services would be needed under an Individual Plan of Employment (IPE). Client was unable to complete one work assessment due to being placed in a work setting that exacerbated the symptoms of his disability. The CAP informed VRS that they would like to set up a meeting with VRS officials to review what other work assessment sites might be available that would not aggravate client’s condition. As a result of the CAP's advocacy, VRS contacted its community providers and client successfully completed the trial work assessments.

2) A client contacted the CAP needing assistance concerned that his VRS self-employment plan would not be approved and that VRS did not intend to fund a surety bond for his business start-up. The CAP researched the matter and determined that funding such a bond was a necessary start-up cost. The CAP participated in an IPE meeting with client to ensure that VRS and client were in agreement as to what costs VRS would fund, how client would be reimbursed for start-up costs, and to discuss any updates needed to the IPE.

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: Molly Arin White

Certifying Official Title Accounting Assistant III

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

Date Certified (mm/dd/yyyy) 2026-01-22

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