Rehabilitation Amendments of 1984

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 98-595)

Rehabilitation Amendments of 1984 - Title I: Rehabilitation Program - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration to collect specified information on each client of rehabilitation program whose case is closed out in the preceding year and to include such information in annual reports to the President and the Congress.

Requires the Secretary of Education to establish and use standards for the evaluation of programs required by such Act.

Makes technical and conforming amendments relating to the administration of such Act.

Part A: Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants to States for basic vocational rehabilitation services (other than the client assistance program) in a specified amount for FY 1984, and for FY 1985 through 1987 in amounts to be determined by increases in the consumer price index. Authorizes additional appropriations for such purpose in FY 1985 and 1986. Limits the amount of such appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986.

Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants to States for innovation and expansion of vocational rehabilitation services in such sums as may be necessary for FY 1984 through 1986.

Extends the authorization of appropriations for grants to Indian tribes for vocational rehabilitation services for FY 1984 through 1986.

Provides for an automatic extension for one fiscal year of the authorization of appropriations for, or the duration of, the State grant program for basic vocational rehabilitation services unless the Congress takes specified actions in the regular session which ends prior to the beginning of the terminal fiscal year of such authorization or duration.

Provides that any additional appropriations shall be allocated in the same manner as State allotments for basic vocational rehabilitation services.

Eliminates the requirement that the determination of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services under the State grants program be demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt following initial evaluation.

Requires the Secretary to make grants to States to establish and carry out client assistance programs to provide assistance in informing and advising clients and client applicants of available benefits under such Act. Disallows a State from receiving such grants unless the State has in effect by a specified date a client assistance program which meets certain requirements. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations applicable to the client assistance program. Directs the Commissioner to: (1) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the client assistance program; and (2) report to Congress by February 1, 1986. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such program for FY 1984 through 1986.

Revises provisions for innovation and expansion grants to: (1) delete references to handicapped individuals who are poor and for whom the State rehabilitation agency shares responsibility for treatment, education, and rehabilitation with other agencies; and (2) add references to programs which maximize the use of technological innovations in meeting the employment training needs of handicapped youth and adults. Extends through FY 1986 the period during which funds appropriated for such grants shall remain available.

Part B: Research and Training - Extends through FY 1986 the authorization of appropriations for: (1) the National Institute of Handicapped Research, in such amounts as may be necessary; and (2) other research and training programs in vocational rehabilitation services, in specified amounts.

Requires that the Director of the National Institute of Handicapped Research be an individual with substantial experience in rehabilitation and in research administration. Requires the Director to: (1) make a grant to an institution of higher education for the establishment of a program of pediatric rehabilitation research at an institution of higher education; and (2) establish, either directly or by way of grant or contract, a Research and Training Center in the Pacific Basin.

Requires that Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers include both comprehensive multiple disabilities centers and centers focused on particular disabilities. Provides that centers need not be automatically terminated at the end of a project period. Permits center renewal on the basis of a thorough evaluation and peer review, including site visits. Makes training of students preparing to be rehabilitation personnel a priority. Permits grants to include faculty support for teaching of rehabilitation related courses of study for credit and other courses offered by the institutions of higher education affiliated with the center.

Authorizes the Director to make grants for a rehabilitation research program. Limits the amount of any single grant in any fiscal year.

Part C: Supplementary Services and Facilities - Extends through FY 1986 the authorization of appropriations for grants for construction of rehabilitation facilities, staffing, and planning assistance (to remain available for expenditure for construction projects funded or staffing grants made prior to October 1, 1987).

Revises requirements for Federal grants and contracts for personnel projects relating to training, traineeships, and related activities. Authorizes appropriations for such grants and contracts for FY 1984 through 1986.

Extends the authorization of appropriations for comprehensive rehabilitation centers through FY 1986.

Authorizes appropriations for special projects through FY 1986.

Authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Handicapped Research to make grants to States and to public or nonprofit agencies for special projects and demonstrations for spinal cord injuries.

Authorizes the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration to make grants to public and nonprofit agencies for job training for handicapped youths.

Authorizes appropriations for special recreational programs through FY 1986.

Part D: National Council - Makes the National Council on the Handicapped (NCH) an independent agency within the executive branch and no longer an agency within the Department of Education or any other executive department or agency. Transfers to the Chairman of NCH all functions relating to NCH which were vested in the Secretary of Education prior to enactment of this Act. Provides that the Chairman shall continue to exercise all functions under any law or authority which the Chairman was performing prior to enactment of this Act. Makes technical and conforming amendments. Requires NCH, in addition to its annual report, to provide advice, recommendations, and information to the Congress on a continuing basis.

Directs NCH to: (1) review all statutes pertaining to Federal programs which assist handicapped individuals; (2) make a priority listing of such programs based on number of individuals assisted and Federal costs; (3) assess such programs, and make recommendations on legislative proposals, on the basis of specified factors; and (4) submit a final report to the President and Congress by February 1, 1986.

Revises provisions relating to NCH staff.

Authorizes NCH to: (1) accept voluntary and uncompensated services; (2) accept specified types of contributions; and (3) enter into specified types of contracts and cooperative agreements. Limits the amount which may be used for official representation and reception to ten percent of the total amounts available to NCH in each fiscal year. Provides that a specified amount in FY 1984 shall be transferred and made available to NCH from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Education.

Part E: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board through FY 1986.

Part F: Employment Opportunities - Extends the authorization of appropriations for community service employment pilot programs through FY 1986.

Extends the authorization of appropriations for projects with industry (PWI) and business opportunities for handicapped individuals through FY 1986.

Requires that PWI agreements include descriptions of evaluation plans.

Directs the Commissioner to: (1) develop and publish standards for PWI evaluation by February 1, 1985; and (2) conduct a comprehensive PWI evaluation and report to Congress by February 1, 1986. Directs the Commissioner to consider recommendations from specified sources in developing such evaluation standards. Prohibits establishment of such standards without the approval of the National Council on the Handicapped.

Requires the Commissioner to assure, to the extent practicable, equitable distribution of PWI payments among the States.

Part G: Services for Independent Living - Extends the authorization of appropriations for comprehensive services for independent living through FY 1986. Sets forth provisions, similar to those for the PWI program, for: (1) evaluation plan descriptions by applicants for independent living center grants; (2) independent living center evaluation standards, comprehensive evaluation, and report to Congress by the Commissioner; and (3) NCH approval of such evaluation standards.

Title II: Reauthorization of the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults - Helen Keller National Center Act - Repeals provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 relating to the Helen Keller National Center.

Directs the Secretary of Education to continue to administer and support the Center. Sets forth the purposes of the Center as follows: (1) to provide specialized intensive services for deaf-blind persons; (2) to train personnel to provide such services; and (3) to conduct applied research, development, and demonstrations relating to communication techniques, teaching methods, aids, and devices, and delivery of services.

Requires an annual independent audit of the Center. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish procedures for regular monitoring of services and training provided by the Center; (2) conduct an evaluation of the operation of the Center at the end of each fiscal year; and (3) report on such evaluation to the President and Congress within 180 days after the end of each fiscal year, with the first such report to be submitted for FY 1983.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1986 to carry out this title. Requires that any appropriation act containing any appropriation authorized by this title shall specify the amount being made available to the Center.

Defines "Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults" to mean that facility and its affiliated network operated pursuant to specified provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Provides that nothing in this Act shall in any way cause to affect or modify any existing or future agreement between any Federal departments, agency, or instrumentality and the Industrial Home for the Blind, Inc., or its successors or assignees, with respect to the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults.

Makes technical and conforming amendments.

Title III: Developmental Disabilities - Amends the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1984 for: (1) State programs for the protection and advocacy of the rights of persons with developmental disabilities; (2) grants to university affiliated facilities; (3) grants for planning and the provision of services; and (4) grants to public or nonprofit private entities for special projects.