Your Rights

Client Assistance Program

If you are a person who has a disability, the Client Assistance Program (CAP) may be able to help you reach your goals to live more independently and go to work.

CAP helps people who are getting services or who are trying to get services from the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) – Division for Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and Division for Blind Services (DBS), from Independent Living Centers (ILCs) that receive federal funds, or from Projects with Industry (PWI) programs.

CAP priorities include helping individuals with disabilities gain access to and benefit from rehabilitation services leading to employment, independent living and greater community participation.

CAP is administered by and located within Disability Rights Texas (DRTx), the legal protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities in Texas. DRTx is not part of any state agency.

CAP specialists help people with disabilities by:

  • Providing information about disability rights, employment, vocational rehabilitation and independent living
  • Referring people with disabilities to programs and services
  • Helping people apply for, understand and receive services from DARS-DRS, DARS-DBS, ILCs and PWI programs
  • Using the appeals process to file a complaint and resolve a grievance
  • Providing legal assistance and advice
  • Providing information on Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
  • Conducting education and training in the community
  • Advocating with state agency administrators and the Rehabilitation Council of Texas to make recommendations on policies and practices

There are many ways CAP can help solve problems. Here are a few examples.

  • Discuss strategies to solve problems on your own
  • Call the counselor or supervisor on the client's behalf
  • Review the case record
  • Explain policies and provide copies
  • Research laws, regulations and policies regarding the issue
  • Set up meetings to discuss concerns
  • Help request an appeal
  • Help move concerns through the chain of command

Read about the appeal procedures to follow if you disagree with your counselor. (PDF)

How to Contact CAP/DRTx

Statewide Intake Line for New Callers
1-800-252-9108

Toll-Free Line for Current Clients
1-800-315-3876

Statewide Videophone
1-866-362-2851

Headquarters:
Disability Rights Texas
2222 West Braker Lane
Austin, Texas 78758
(512) 454-4816

Disability Rights Texas
www.DisabilityRightsTx.org

East Texas Regional Office
Disability Rights Texas
1500 McGowen, Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77004
(713) 974-7691 (Voice/TDD)
Intake:1-800-880-0821 (Voice/TDD)
Fax: (713) 974-7695

El Paso Regional Office
Disability Rights Texas
300 E. Main, Suite 205
El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 542-0585 (Voice/TDD)
Intake: 1-800-948-1824 (Voice/TDD)
Fax: (915) 542-2676

North Texas Regional Office
Disability Rights Texas
1420 W. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 450
Dallas, Texas 75247-4932
(214) 630-0916 (Voice/TDD)
Intake: 1-800-880-2884 (Voice/TDD)
Fax: (214) 630-3472

South Texas Regional Office
Disability Rights Texas
6800 Park Ten Blvd., Suite 208-N
San Antonio, Texas 78213
(210) 737-0499 (Voice/TDD)
Intake: 1-800-880-8401
Fax: (210) 737-2403

West Texas Regional Office
Disability Rights Texas
1001 Main Street, Suite 300
Lubbock, Texas 79401-3200
(806) 765-7794 (Voice/TDD)
Intake:1-800-880-4456 (Voice/TDD)
Fax: (806) 765-0496

HHSC Civil Rights Office

The Texas health and human services system and its agencies are committed to providing services to our applicants and clients in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner. This obligation to comply with federal and state laws and regulations extends to service contractors, as well as any other agency, institution, or organization participating in a health and human services program by contract or other arrangements.

The Health and Human Services Commission's Civil Rights Office has the responsibility to investigate claims of discrimination; to conduct new, periodic, and special compliance reviews of offices, programs, and contractors; to provide training and guidance; and to take other appropriate steps to ensure that programs and services do not discriminate.

For more information, visit the Civil Rights Office website at http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/aboutHHS/CivilRights.shtml.