Manley v. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

654 A.2d 25, 1994 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 716
CourtCommonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
DecidedDecember 29, 1994
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 654 A.2d 25 (Manley v. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Manley v. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, 654 A.2d 25, 1994 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 716 (Pa. Ct. App. 1994).

Opinion

KELTON, Senior Judge.

Lynda Manley (Manley) appeals from the December 30, 1993 decision and order of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) approving a recommended decision of the Impartial Hearing Officer to close Manley’s case because of her laek of cooperation in completing the application process to determine her eligibility for OVR vocational rehabilitation services.

The issue raised on appeal is whether, during that process, the OVR violated its statutory obligation to accommodate Manley’s mental disability arising out of an alleged traumatic brain injury. We vacate the decision of OVR to close Manley’s file and remand with directions that the OVR’s eligibility review process make reasonable accommodation for Manley’s alleged mental disability.

[26]*26 Facts

The following facts are either undisputed or are summarized from the findings of the hearing officer, Catherine Z. Langan. (Adjudication of December 8, 1993 at 3 — 4.)

OVR is an agency within the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry which provides vocational rehabilitation services to qualified applicants. The agency receives both state and federal funding and must comply with state and federal regulations in evaluating potential clients. The goal of OVR is to assist in the vocational rehabilitation of those handicapped or disabled individuals who meet the eligibility criteria established by the regulations.

In September, 1991, OVR informed Manley that it had agreed to reconsider her request for its services. Throughout the following seven months of the application process, OVR attempted to maintain contact with Manley via telephone calls and appointments. Manley failed to respond to messages left on her answering machine and was generally unavailable to complete the eligibility process. On February 26, 1992, John Walter, the Rehabilitation Specialist assigned to Manley’s case, sent Manley a letter confirming OVR’s attempts to reach her and informing her that if she failed to respond, her case would be closed. On April 14,1992, OVR issued written notice to Manley confirming termination of its services and advising her of the appeal process. A week later, on April 21, 1992, Manley appealed the decision to close her case. OVR conducted an Informal Administrative Review and affirmed the decision to close Manley’s case. Manley appealed that decision to the Department of Public Welfare which denied her appeal and upheld OVR’s decision to close her ease. Manley appealed to this Court and we vacate.1

Discussion

Through her counsel, Manley argues that OVR violated Section 504 and Title I of The Rehabilitation Act of 1978 (Act), 29 U.S.C. § 794, by failing to make a reasonable accommodation for her disability, thereby denying her equal access to and meaningful participation in the OVR eligibility process.

Manley contends that she suffers from traumatic brain injury and that this disability has, at times, caused her to become uncooperative and belligerent with others. She argues that OVR was aware of her disability but failed to make accommodations in order for her to meaningfully participate in the eligibility process. Manley argues that reasonable accommodations could have included meeting with her at her home and extending the evaluation process. OVR, however, failed to evaluate what effect Manley’s traumatic brain injury, if any, had on her ability to participate in the eligibility process and to make the appropriate adjustments. Therefore, Manley argues, OVR violated Section 504 and Title I of the Act. In part, Section 504 of the Act mandates the following:

No otherwise qualified individual with a disability ... shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

29 U.S.C. § 794(a). See also, School Board of Nassau County v. Arline, 480 U.S. 273, 107 S.Ct. 1123, 94 L.Ed.2d 307 (1987); 28 C.F.R. 35.130(a).2

Further, the regulations implementing Section 504 require reasonable adjustments in the nature of the benefit offered in order to ensure meaningful access. Alexander v. Choate, 469 U.S. 287, n. 21, 105 S.Ct. 712, n. [27]*2721, 88 L.Ed.2d 661 (1985). “A recipient [of federal financial assistance] shall make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified handicapped applicant....” 45 C.F.R. 84.12(a) (emphasis added).

Programs receiving federal financial assistance must “operate each program or activity ... so that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirely, is readily accessible to handicapped persons.” 45 C.F.R. 84.22(a). “A recipient [of federal funds] may comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) ... through such means as ... home visits ... or any other methods that result in making its program or activity accessible to handicapped persons.” 45 C.F.R. 84.22(b).

Section 504 of the Act defines “any otherwise qualified individual” as any person who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of their major life activities, (ii) has a record of such an impairment, or (iii) is regarded as having such an impairment. Arline, 480 U.S. 273, 107 S.Ct. 1123, 94 L.Ed.2d 307 (1987); 29 U.S.C. § 706(7)(B). Although the Hearing Officer made no specific fact finding on the issue, Manley’s counsel argues that she suffers from a traumatic brain injury which affects many aspects of her life, including her social skills. OVR does not dispute the fact that Manley is an “otherwise qualified individual” as defined in Section 504.

Manley contends that her traumatic brain injury caused her emotional instability which resulted in her “lack of cooperation.” 3 Manley argues that the regulations cited above require OVR to take whatever steps are necessary to accommodate her disability so that she may effectively participate in the eligibility process. Mr. Walter, the Rehabilitation Specialist assigned to Manley’s case, testified that he was aware of Manley’s disability but nonetheless chose to close her file. (N.T. at 94.) He further testified that he considered her reason for not cooperating as immaterial. (N.T. at 95.)4

We disagree with Mr. Walter’s opinion that Manley’s reason for not cooperating is immaterial. It is certainly material if the reason for her failure to cooperate is the disability itself.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Lewis v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review
814 A.2d 829 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 2003)
Petsinger v. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
686 A.2d 915 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 1996)
Brooks v. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
682 A.2d 850 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 1996)
Bell v. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
667 A.2d 503 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 1995)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
654 A.2d 25, 1994 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 716, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/manley-v-office-of-vocational-rehabilitation-pacommwct-1994.