Vocational Rehabilitation Act Reauthorization

This hearing was held to give individuals, organizations, and government officials an opportunity to express their concerns about the state of rehabilitation services in the United States and to recommend changes that would make service delivery more effective. The hearing was held in consideration of the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is the primary legislation providing services to assist people with disabilities in preparing for, and engaging in, gainful employment and independent living. Specifically, the hearing focused on: ways to make vocational rehabilitation more of a consumer-driven system; the availability of, and access to, services and the eligibility process; the order of selection provision and assurances that individuals with the most severe disabilities are given priority for services; and the long-term outcomes of vocational rehabilitation services. The hearing contains statements from Major R. Owens (Congressional Representative from New York) and from representatives of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Agency; the Client Assistance Program in Albany, New York; the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; the Government Accounting Office; the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities; and the National Rehabilitation Association. (JDD)