Disclaimers

About


All information provided on this website is believed to be correct. However, no liability is assumed for errors in substance or form of any of the materials published on this website. Electronic versions of documents appearing on this site do not display the text of these documents exactly as the printed versions.

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, hereafter referred to as ADRS , provides the information contained in this website as a service to the Internet community. ADRS tries to provide quality information, but makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website.

In addition, ADRS is neither responsible nor liable for information on sites linked to ADRS . The links to other sites are provided only for convenience.

In the provision of services and in employment practices, the ADRS does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, creed, national origin, religion, age or disability.

Copyright Issues

When using www.rehab.alabama.gov, you may encounter documents or other information resources contributed or licensed by private individuals, companies, or organizations that may be protected by U.S. and foreign copyright laws. Such information resources include -- but are not limited to -- web pages, publications, brochures, and reports. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use as defined in the copyright laws requires the written permission of the copyright owners.

Website Privacy and Security Statement

This website does not gather or store any personally identifiable information except that which is supplied by the browser when communicating with our server. Such information is used exclusively for statistical purposes and is limited to browser name and version, operating system (if supplied), IP Address,  URL that redirected you to our website and time our website was accessed.

You may choose to provide personal information when sending your feedback to us. In such a case, your personal information will be transmitted only to pertinent staff and will not be shared with anyone outside ADRS unless required by law. However, please be aware that the feedback form does not ecrypt messages submitted through it and thus the contents of the email may be read if intercepted by a third party. If ADRS  asks you to provide confidential personal information, all such information will be encrypted using industry-standard SSL encryption.

Any health-related personal information that is gathered through this website is also subject to the ADRS Notice of Privacy Practices .

This privacy statement is subject to change without notice.

Analytics

This site uses Google Analytics to monitor and analyze the use of our site and programs for the continuous improvement of our services.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our website. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network.

You can opt-out of having made your activity on the website available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity.

For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: https://policies.google.com/privacy

Linking Policy

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the ADRS of the linked websites, or the information, products, or services contained therein. The ADRS does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Furthermore, the ADRS bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. All links are provided consistent with the educational mission of the website.

Everyone is encouraged to link to the ADRS. However, the ADRS cannot create reciprocal links if the linking website does not meet our criteria for links (the website must provide information that is directly related to the services ADRS provides). In case you would like to link to www.rehab.alabama.gov, here is a list of frequently visited sections of our website:

Translation Policy

Translations of the ADRS website are made through an automated/computerized process powered by Weglot. Computerized translations are only an approximation of the Website's original content. The translation should not be considered exact and in some cases may include incorrect or offensive language. Neither ADRS nor any officer, or employee of ADRS warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated by this system and shall not be liable for any losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the translation, portions may be incorrect. Any person or entity who relies on information obtained from the system does so at his or her own risk.

ADRS Privacy Statement

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Our Pledge Regarding Health Information

This notice applies to all personal health information about you created and maintained by the ADRS . We understand that medical information about your health is personal. We are committed to protecting your personal health information (PHI). We create and maintain a record of services provided to you by the department and services provided to you by others on behalf of the department. This record is to provide you with quality services. This notice will tell you about the ways we may use and disclose health information about you. We also describe your rights and certain obligations we have regarding the use and disclosure of health information. If ADRS privacy practices change, a new privacy notice will be posted to the ADRS website and in all ADRS offices.

Use, Sharing and Protection of Health Information

ADRS staff will only use your personal health information when doing their jobs. When health information is shared with other agencies or organizations, ADRS requires the other agencies and organizations to safeguard your health information. The purposes of the use and sharing of health information are:

Operating the ADRS Program for:
  • Eligibility – Some ADRS programs require health information in order to determine eligibility for the program.
  • TreatmentADRS will use and share your health information to approve treatment, and to determine if your medical treatment is appropriate. For example, ADRS professionals may review your treatment plan with your health care provider to determine medical necessity.
  • PaymentADRS may use and share your health information to request reimbursement from Medicaid and Insurance companies. For example, ADRS may bill Medicaid for services provided in the Children’s Rehabilitation Service, the Adult Medicaid Wavier, or the Early Intervention Programs.
Other uses, sharing of health information or disclosures of health information required or allowed by law:
  • Information purposesADRS may mail to you helpful information, such as brochures related to various programs administered by ADRS .
  • Other Government Agencies or organizations providing Benefits, Services or disaster reliefADRS may share information with other government agencies or organizations that are providing benefits or services when the information is necessary in order for you to receive those benefits or services. Information may also be shared between divisions within ADRS (Early Intervention, Children’s Rehabilitation Service, Vocational Rehabilitation, State of Alabama Independent Living) in order to determine your eligibility for other benefits or services provided by the department.
  • Public HealthADRS may disclose health information to the appropriate agencies for public health activities for disease control and prevention, problems with medical products or medications, and also on victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence as required by law.
  • Health Oversight ActivitiesADRS may disclose specific health information to authorized health oversight agencies responsible for the Medicaid program, Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights.
  • Judicial and Administrative HearingsADRS may disclose specific health information in judicial and administrative proceedings as required by law.
  • Law Enforcement PurposesADRS may disclose specific health information for law enforcement purposes as required by law.
  • Coroners and Medical ExaminersADRS may disclose specific health information to coroners and medical examiners to carry out their jobs, as required by law.
  • Organ Donation and Disease RegistriesADRS may disclose specific health information to authorized entities involved where you have consented to organ donation and transplantation, communicable disease registries and cancer registries.
  • Research PurposesADRS may disclose specific health information to entities authorized to conduct a research project. When information is disclosed for research purposes, information that identifies you will not be disclosed.
  • To avert a serious threat to health, safety or emergency situationADRS may disclose specific health information to prevent a serious threat to a person’s or the public’s health or safety.
  • Specialized government functionsADRS may disclose health information for national security and intelligence and for protection of the President and others, as required by law. Also, ADRS may disclose health information to the appropriate military authorities if you are or have been a member of the armed services.
  • Correctional InstitutionsADRS may disclose health information to correctional facilities or law enforcement officials to maintain the health, safety and security of the corrections system.
  • Workers’ CompensationADRS may disclose health information to workers’ compensation programs that provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness without regard to fault.
Your Rights to Privacy

Your health information will not be shared without your authorization except as described in this notice or as required by law. You may authorize other disclosures by completing an ADRS Authorization Form and you may revoke such authorization in writing at any time. ADRS has procedures to assist you with your rights to your health information and you may ask your counselor, case manager, care coordinator or service coordinator for a paper copy of this notice at any time. An electronic copy of this notice is available on the ADRS website, www.rehab.alabama.gov.

You have the Right to:
  • Request Restriction – You may request in writing that ADRS limit the use or disclosure of your health information except for treatment, payment, and health care operations purposes. ADRS is not required by law to agree to your request.
  • Request Confidential Communications – You may request, in writing, that ADRS communicate with you in a different way or to a different location. For example, you may request ADRS use a different mailing address or call you at a different phone number.
  • Inspect and Copy – You may, upon written request and during normal business hours, review all of the records maintained by ADRS relating to the grant, denial or provision of services. A Department staff member shall be present during any review. ADRS will make all information in the case record available except: (a) when ADRS believes medical, psychological, or other information may be harmful to the individual, the information shall be provided to the client’s authorized representative, a physician, or licensed or certified psychologist; and (b) information obtained from another organization or agency may be released only under the conditions established by the outside agency, organization, or provider.
  • Request a copy of your recordADRS may charge a reasonable fee for any copies of records reproduced, but not to exceed $1.00 per page. State and federal agencies, other health care providers, and families (first copy only) are exempt from this charge.
  • Amend – You may request, in writing along with the reason, to change or add information to your health record. However, original documentation maintained by ADRS may not be erased. ADRS is not required by law to agree to your request.
  • Accounting of Disclosures – You may request an accounting of disclosures of your health information except for purposes of treatment, payment, health care operations and disclosures required by law for purposes of national security or law enforcement.

For more information or to report an incident where you feel that your privacy has been compromised by an ADRS staff person, you may contact the individuals listed below or the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence  Ave. S.W. , Washington, D.C. , 20201. No individual will be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

You can mail a complaint to:
The Commissioner
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
602 S. Lawrence St.
Montgomery, Alabama 36104