SECTION 612:10-7-233. Special consideration in state government employment for persons with severe disabilities

(a)   Oklahoma statute [74 O.S. 840-4.12] establishes provisions to promote the employment of persons with severe disabilities in state government. The law waives written entrance examinations and certain other hiring procedures administered by Human Capital Management (HCM) for persons who are certified as having a severe disability based on standards and criteria established by the Administrator of HCM. Such applicants must be legal residents of Oklahoma and must meet minimum qualifications specified in applicable job specifications. Rules implementing the provisions of 74 O.S. 840-4.12 are found at OAC 260:25-9-100. HCM rules refer to these provisions as the Optional Program for Hiring Applicants with Disabilities.

(b)   For purposes of the Optional Program for Hiring Applicants with Disabilities, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) shall certify that an applicant has a severe disability according to the definition of "individual with a severe disability" in OAC 612:10-1-2, which the HCM Administrator has established as the standard for disability certification. DRS shall provide electronic or written verification of an applicant's severe disability to the applicant and to Human Capital Management.

(c)   Counselors will document the severity of the disability using existing DRS case information for current or former clients. Individuals who have not been DRS clients will provide the counselor with documentation necessary for determining that the individual has a severe physical or mental impairment which seriously limits one or more functional capacities. Medical examinations may not be purchased solely to certify eligibility under 74 O.S. 840-4.12.

[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4633, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2449, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 1739, eff 7-1-96; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2904, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 1690, eff 7-1-09; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 2388, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 2135, eff 9-11-20]