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BRIEF LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE REHAB ACT

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

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BRIEF LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE REHAB ACT

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  1. 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

  2. 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.”

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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”

  6. 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.

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

  8. Brief History • Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1978 • Created the IL Program and the establishment of IL Centers • Concepts of Peer Counseling, Advocacy emerged

  9. 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.”

  10. 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

  11. 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."

  12. …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

  13. 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.

  14. 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

  15. 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

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