BRIEF LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE REHAB ACT

1920 -- Smith Fess Act – – Considered the beginning of the Public VR

Program– Allocated monies for vocational guidance,

training, occupational adjustment, prosthetics, and placement

Brief History

1936 Randolph Sheppard Act– Provided individuals who were blind with

opportunity to operate vending stands in Federal buildings.

Individual had to be licensed to become a Randolph Sheppard “operator.”

Brief History

1943 -- Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments of 1943– Expanded services to include physical restoration– Required States to submit a written state plan to

the Federal government – Expanded provisions to include the provision of

VR services to individuals with mental retardation and mental illness

Brief History

Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments of 1954 – Made significant changes in the funding of the Public VR

Program Created funding formula that considers state population and

per capita income.

– Created project grant programs for research and demonstrations

– Created provision by which Federal government provided monies to train staff for VR Agencies

Brief History

Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1965– Eliminated the provision which required that an

individual have a economic need for services– Expanded services to reach a broader population

such as Individuals with a substance abuse Individuals with a “socially handicapping condition”

Brief History

1973 – The Rehabilitation Act of 1973– Created the mandate for Public VR Program to serve

individuals with severe disabilities– Created Affirmative Act Programs in Title V—Sections 501,

502, 503, and 504 501 Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action in Federal

Employment 502 Empowers the Architectural and Transportation Barriers

Compliance Board (ATBCB) to enforce accessibility standards for Federal bldgs.

503 Requires contractors to comply with affirmative action requirements

504 Requires entities that accept Federal funding must not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in programs.

Brief History

– Established the “Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program” (IWRP) to ensure that the consumer be involved in the development of the rehabilitation process.

Brief History

Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978– Created the IL Program and the establishment of

IL Centers Concepts of Peer Counseling, Advocacy emerged

Brief History

Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986– Concept of Supported Employment as a viable

VR outcome was introduced as demonstration program

– Enhanced support from Rehabilitation Engineering services

Created clear definition of “rehabilitation engineering services.”

Brief History

1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act– Clearly outlined the intent of Congress with

Findings, Purpose, and Policy (Sec. 2 (a), (b), and (c).

– Focused program on concept of “consumer choice” relative to career options.

– Focused Public VR Program that the outcome for program was competitive employment

– Created State Rehabilitation Advisory Council

Brief History

Created “presumptive eligibility” for individuals receiving Social Security SSI or SSDI benefits– Individual must still intend to achieve an

employment outcome “consistent with unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice."

…and Finally Today’s Version

Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998– Rehab Act became part of “Workforce Investment

Act” (WIA) – Title IV Sec. 402 – establishes

– Linkages between State VR Programs and WIA programs– Gives special responsibilities to the Sec. of Education for

the coordination of all activities with respect to individuals with disabilities within and across programs administered by Federal Government

Future??????????

2003 Reauthorization will not be completed.– Proposals in both House and Senate took $$$ from

VR Programs to fund “infrastructure” of One-Stops— House version would allow Governor to take 1.5 percent

from One-Stop Partners appropriation—i.e., VR monies Senate version created a phase for VR contribution to

infrastructure—1st year no contribution; 2nd year .75 percent; 3rd year 1 percent; 4th year 1.25 percent; and finally 5th year 1.5 percent.

What to Expect in 2005

Begin reauthorization process from the beginning.– 109th Congress will most likely be even more conservative

than the 108th.– Current Administration will push for infrastructure monies

from partners to fund One-Stops; push for Block Grants will be strong

– In Rehab Act downgrading of RSA Commissioner from Presidential appointment, Senate Confirmation position to one appointed by the Secretary of Education

– Continued push to undermine authority of RSA

ADVOCACY WILL BE NEEDED

Your voice will be needed when called upon You cannot sit by the sidelines You can energize your peers, consumers,

friends, family Every voice will be needed