Rehabilitation Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to provide a statutory basis for the Rehabilitation Services Administration to establish within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare an Office for the Handicapped, and to authorize specified programs.
Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Rehabilitation Services Administration which shall be administered by a Commissioner. Provides that the Commissioner shall carry out and administer all programs and direct the performance of all services for which authority is provided to the Secretary of H.E.W. under titles I through III of this Act. Creates within such administration a Division of Research, Training and Evaluation which shall be responsible for carrying out programs and projects under title III of this Act.
Authorizes the inclusion of appropriations under this Act in the appropriation Act for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which they are available for obligation. Provides that where funds are provided for a single project by more than one Federal agency to an agency or organization assisted under this Act, the Federal agency principally involved may be designated to act for all in administering such funds, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the President.
Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act.
Title I: Vocational and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services - Part A: General Provisions - Authorizes to be appropriated in order to make grants to States under parts B and C of this title $900,000,000 for fiscal year 1973 and $1,150,000,000 for fiscal year 1974. Provides that of the sums appropriated 15 percent shall be available only for the provision of vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services to the severely handicapped in accordance with part C of this title.
Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of making grants to States and public and nonprofit agencies to assist them in meeting the costs of projects to initiate or expand services to handicapped individuals $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1973; $60,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1975.
Sets forth conditions which shall be included in a State plan for vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services submitted to the Secretary for approval under this title. Provides for judicial review of an adverse decision of the Secretary with respect to such a State plan.
Part B: Basic Vocational and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services - Provides for the allocation of the funds appropriated under part A for part B to the several States. States that the allocation to any State shall not be less than 1/4 of 1 percent of the amount appropriated, or $2,250,000 whichever is greater. Provides that for each fiscal year the Secretary shall pay to each State an amount equal to the Federal share (80 percent) of the cost of vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services under an approved State plan. States that this payment shall not exceed such State's allocation under this part.
Entitles each State to an allotment of the funds appropriated under part A to assist them in meeting the costs of initiating or expanding services to the handicapped. Provides that the minimum allotment to any State shall be $50,000. States that payments with respect to any project may not exceed 90 percent of the cost of such project.
Requires the Secretary to set aside such sums as may be necessary to establish a system of client advocacy for each geographical area in which programs or projects are being carried out under this Act. Provides that such client advocacy systems shall be funded directly through the State agency administering the State plan under this Act and shall function in the capacity of an ombudsman to seek to resolve as quickly and amicably as possible any compliants presented by clients or client applicants. States that each such system shall submit an annual report through the State agency to the Secretary on the operation of the system during the previous year.
Part C: Supplementary Funds for Vocational and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services to Severely Handicapped Individuals - Provides for the allotment of the funds appropriated under part A for such services to the severely handicapped. States that the allotment to each State shall not be less than $150,000. Requires that amounts allotted to a State under this part be available only for expenditure for the provision of vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services under this title for a severely handicapped individual to the extent that the cost of the purchase and provision of such services exceeds a specified amount. Requires a State to amend its State plan to include a program for the provision of such services as a condition for receiving grants under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act.
Title II: Special Federal Responsibilities - Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of making grants and contracts for the construction of rehabilitation facilities, initial staffing, and planning assistance $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1973; $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1975.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to assist in meeting the costs of construction of public or private nonprofit rehabilitation facilities. Provides that an application for a grant under this title must conform to the general grant and contract requirements of this title.
Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of making vocational training grants $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1973; $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States and public and nonprofit private organizations and agencies to pay the Federal share of the cost of projects for providing vocational training services to handicapped individuals in public and nonprofit rehabilitation facilities.
Requires the Secretary to make the following determinations prior to making such grants: (1) that the purpose of the project is to prepare handicapped, especially severely handicapped, individuals for gainful and suitable employment; (2) that the individuals to receive training services under such project will include only those individuals who are determined to be suitable for and in need of such training services by the State agency or agencies of the State in which the rehabilitation facility is located; (3) that the full range of training services will be made available to such individual; and (4) that the project meets such other requirements as he may prescribe in regulations for providing such services.
Directs the Secretary to institute a program of mortgage insurance for rehabilitation facilities.
Provides that the Secretary may make annual interest grants to State and public and nonprofit agencies to reduce the cost of borrowing from other sources for the construction of rehabilitation facilities. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for the payment of annual interest grants.
Authorizes to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1973; $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for the purposes of making grants for special projects and demonstrations. States that such grants may pay the full cost of the provision of vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services to handicapped individuals who are migratory agricultural workers or seasonal farmworkers, and to members of their families.
Establishes the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults which shall: (1) demonstrate methods of: (a) providing the specialized intensive services, and other services, needed to rehabilitate handicapped individuals who are both deaf and blind; and (b) training the professional and allied personnel needed adequately to staff facilities specially designed to provide such services and training to such personnel who have been or will be working with deaf-blind individuals; (2) conduct research in the problems of, and ways of meeting the problems of, rehabilitating deaf-blind individuals; and (3) aid in the conduct of related activities which will expand or improve the services for or help improve public understanding of the problems of deaf-blind individuals.
Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of establishing and operating such Center $5,000,000 for construction which shall remain available until expended, and $800,000 for operations for fiscal year 1973; $1,200,000 for fiscal year 1974; and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975.
Provides for the establishment of Rehabilitation Centers for Deaf Individuals, and National Centers for Spinal Cord Injuries. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for special services for the rehabilitation of individuals suffering from end-stage renal disease and to provide rehabilitation services for older blind individuals. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such programs.
Establishes in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a National Advisory Council on Rehabilitation of the Handicapped consisting of twenty members appointed by the Secretary. Provides that the Council shall: (1) provide policy advice and consultation on the planning, conduct, and review of programs authorized under this Act; (2) review the administration and operation of vocational rehabilitation programs under this Act, make recommendations with respect thereto, and make annual reports to the Secretary for transmittal to the Congress; (3) advise the Secretary with respect to the conduct of independent evaluations of programs carried out under this Act; and (4) provide such other advisory services as the Secretary may request.
Provides that any State which receives assistance under this Act shall establish and maintain a State Advisory Council which shall be appointed by the Governor, or in specified cases by the State board which governs vocational rehabilitation. Sets forth the functions of such Council.
Title III: Research and Training - Provides that the Secretary may make grants to, and contracts with, States and public and nonprofit organizations to pay part of the cost of research projects which bear directly on the provision of services under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to pay all or part of the cost of specialized activities including the establishment and support of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers.
Authorizes the Secretary to pay part of the cost of projects for training, traineeships, and related activities designed to assist in increasing the numbers of personnel trained in providing vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services.
Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purpose of this title.
Title IV: Administration and Program and Project Evaluation - Sets forth the functions of the Secretary in carrying out his duties under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies, investigations and evaluations of programs authorized by this Act and to make specified reports with respect to handicapped individuals.
Provides that the Secretary shall measure and evaluate the impact of all programs authorized by this Act, in order to determine their effectiveness in achieving stated goals. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on such determination and review to the appropriate committees of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations to conduct such program and project evaluations.
Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and to the Congress on the activities carried out under this Act.
Title V: Office for the Handicapped - Establishes an Office for the Handicapped within the Office of the Secretary in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Provides that the Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall serve as a Special Assistant to the Secretary. Sets forth the function of the Office. Authorizes to be appropriated for the purposes of this title $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975.
Title VI: Miscellaneous - Provides for the repeal of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Establishes an Interagency Committee on Handicapped Employees to insure the adequacy of hiring, placement, and advancement practices with respect to handicapped individuals within the Federal Government. Establishes the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. Sets forth the function of such Board. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the duties and functions of such Board.
Title VII: Amendments to Randolph-Sheppard Act - Randolph-Sheppard Act for the Blind Amendments - Provides that blind persons licensed under the provisions of this Act shall be authorized to operate vending facilities on any Federal or other property. Gives preference to blind persons licensed by a State agency as provided in this Act. Requires the head of each department or agency in control of Federal property to prescribe regulations assuring such preference.
Eliminates the requirement that licensees be 21 years of age. Eliminates the requirement that licensees shall have resided for at least one year in the State for which a license is requested.
Requires that in the design, construction, or substantial alteration of each public building after January 1, 1973, there shall be a satisfactory site or sites suitable for the location and operation of a vending facility by a blind person or persons.
Authorizes state licensing agencies or any blind licensee to file a complaint with the Secretary who shall convene an arbitration panel to hear appeals when the State licensing agency or licensee feels that any department or agency is failing to comply with the provisions of this Act.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
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