This article is reprinted from the A.T. Quarterly, Volume 4, Number 1 (1993)
SEC. 2. (a) FINDINGS. Congress finds that- "(4) increased employment of individuals with disabilities can be achieved through the
provision of individualized training, independent living services, educational and support services,
and meaningful opportunities for employment in integrated work settings through the provision
of reasonable accommodations; "(b) PURPOSE. The purposes of this Act are - REHABILITATION ACT AMENDMENTS SEC. 121. ...
"(2) The purpose of this Title is to assist States in operating a
comprehensive, coordinated, effective, efficient, and accountable
program of vocational rehabilitation that is designed to assess,
plan, develop, and provide vocational rehabilitation services for
individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths,
resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities, so
that such individuals may prepare for and engage in gainful
employment.
"(3) It is the policy of the United States that such a program
shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the following
principles: Policy of the United States
It is the policy of the United States that all programs, projects,
and activities receiving assistance under this Act shall be carried
out in a manner consistent with the principles of --
"(1) respect for individual dignity, personal responsibility,
self-determination, and pursuit of meaningful careers, based on
informed choice, of individuals with disabilities; The A.T. Quarterly was a newsletter developed by the RESNA TA
Project under a contract with the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education (ED). The content, however, does not necessarily reflect
the position or policy of NIDRR/ED and no official endorsement of the material should be
inferred.
"(1) millions of Americans have one or more physical or mental disabilities and the number of
Americans with such disabilities is increasing;
"(2) individuals with disabilities constitute one of the most disadvantaged groups in society;
"(5) individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination in such
critical areas as employment, housing, public accommodations, education, transportation,
communication, recreation, institutionalization, health services, voting, and public services;
and
"(2) to ensure that the Federal Government plays a leadership role in promoting the employment
of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with severe disabilities, and in assisting
States and providers of services in fulfilling the aspirations of such individuals with disabilities
for meaningful and gainful employment and independent living.
Findings & Purposes, Title I
"(a)(1) Congress finds that-
"(A) work-
"(i) is a valued activity, both for individuals and
society; and
"(ii) fulfills the need of an individual to be productive,
promotes independence, enhances self-esteem, and
allows for participation in the mainstream of life in
America;
"(B) as a group, individuals with disabilities experience
staggering levels of unemployment and poverty;
"(C) individuals with disabilities, including individuals with
the most severe disabilities, have demonstrated their
ability to achieve gainful employment in integrated
settings if appropriate services and supports are
provided;
"(D) reasons for the significant number of individuals with
disabilities not working or working at a level not
commensurate with their abilities and capabilities,
include_
"(i) discrimination;
"(ii) lack of accessible and available transportation;
"(iii) fear of losing health coverage under the
Medicare and Medicaid programs under titles XVIII
and XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et
seq. and 1396 et seq.) or fear of losing existing private
health insurance; and
"(iv) lack of education, training, and supports to meet
job qualification standards necessary to enter or retain
or advance in employment;
"(E) enforcement of Title V and of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.)
holds the promise of ending discrimination for
individuals with disabilities; and
"(F) the provision of vocational rehabilitation services can
enable individuals with disabilities, including
individuals with the most severe disabilities, to pursue
meaningful careers by securing gainful employment
commensurate with their abilities and capabilities.
"(A) Individuals with disabilities, including individuals with
the most severe disabilities, are generally presumed to
be capable of engaging in gainful employment and
the provision of individualized vocational
rehabilitation services can improve their ability to
become gainfully employed.
"(B) Individuals with disabilities must be provided the
opportunities to obtain gainful employment in
integrated settings.
"(C) Individuals with disabilities must be active
participants in their own rehabilitation programs,
including making meaningful and informed choices
about the selection of their vocational goals and
objectives and the vocational rehabilitation services
they receive.
"(D) Families and natural supports can play an
important role in the success of a vocational
rehabilitation program, if the individual with a
disability requests, desires, or needs such supports.
"(E) Qualified vocational rehabilitation counselors, other
qualified rehabilitation personnel, and other qualified
personnel facilitate the accomplishment of the
employment goals and objectives of an individual.
"(F) Individuals with disabilities and their advocates are
full partners in the vocational rehabilitation program
and must be involved on a regular basis and in a
meaningful manner with respect to policy development
and implementation.
"(G) Accountability measures must facilitate and not
impede the accomplishment of the goals and objectives
of the program, including providing vocational
rehabilitation services to, among others, individuals
with the most severe disabilities."
[Emphases added]
ENTIRE REHABILITATION ACT
"(2) respect for the privacy, rights, and equal access (including
the use of accessible formats), of the individuals;
"(3) inclusion, integration, and full participation of the
individuals;
"(4) support for the involvement of a parent, a family member, a
guardian, an advocate, or an authorized representative if an
individual with a disability requests, desires, or needs such
support; and
"(5) support for individual and systemic advocacy and community
involvement.