APPENDIX A FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO THE FEDERAL-STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM, 1920-64 The two lists below include (1) the major Federal laws in effect which relate to the Federal-State program of vocational rehabilitation and (2) all Federal laws relating to this program from its inception to the present. LIST I. CURRENT FEDERAL LEGISLATION The major Federal laws currently in effect which relate to the Federal-State program of vocational rehabilitation are: 1. Vocational Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C., ch. 4) as amended by (a) Section 2 of Public Law 565, 83d Congress (Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments of 1954): Section 2: Grants to States for basic support of vocational rehabilitation services. Section 3: Grants to States for the extension and improvement of vocational rehabilitation services. Section 4: Grants for research, demonstration, and training. (b) Amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act since 1954. Act of August 1, 1956, section 16 of Public Law 896, 84th Congress, 2d session: Extension of provisions of Vocational Rehabilitation Act to Guam. Public Law 85-198: Amendments to exempt physicians enrolled in residency training program in physical medicine and rehabilitation from the 2-year limitation on receipt of a Vocational Rehabilitation Administration traineeship and permit them to receive a traineeship for as long as 3 years. Public Law 86–70, Alaska Omnibus Act: In connection with Alaska's statehood, amendments of financing provisions for Alaska's basic support program under section 2 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Public Law 86–624, Hawaii Omnibus Act: In connection with Hawaii's statehood, amendments of financing provisions for Hawaii's basic support program under section 2 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Section 47g of this law affected Alaska's basic support program during the fiscal years 1962 through 1965. Public Law 88-605 (Appropriations Act): Amendment to authorize as State funds for matching purposes, contributions of funds made by private organizations or individuals to a State to assist in meeting the costs of establishment of a public or other nonprofit workshop or rehabilitation facility, where the contributor imposes a condition limiting the use of such funds to establishment of such workshop or facility. 2. International Health Research Act of 1960 (22 U.S.C., ch. 30) Public Law 86-610 and section 104(k), Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1704, foreign currency program); Legislation in connection with administration of an international research program for the purpose of enhancing rehabilitation research within the United States and over the world. 3. Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act Public Law 732, 74th Cong., as amended (20 U.S.C., ch. 6A): Provides that qualified blind persons licensed by a designated State agency shall be given preference to operate vending stands on Federal and other property. 4. Rehabilitation facilities construction provisions of title VI of the Public Health Service Act as amended by section 3(A) of Public Law 88-413, Hospital and Medical Facilities Amendments of 1964 (42 U.S.C., ch. A., subch. IV): in connection with construction and modernization of hospital and other medical facilities, authorized appropriations for construction of public or other nonprofit rehabilitation facilities. 5. Disability benefits provisions of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 421, 422): in connection with the disability determination provisions of the Social Security Act, authorized agreements whereby responsibility is assigned to State vocational rehabilitation agencies for evaluating the disability and rehabilitation potential of each person who applies for disability benefits under OASI and also requires referral of such persons to the State agency for necessary vocational rehabilitation services. 6. Public Welfare Amendments of 1962 (42 U.S.C. 303, 603, 1203, 1353, 1383): Use of State vocational rehabilitation agencies by State welfare agencies in furnishing vocational rehabilitation services to assistance recipients or applicants. 7. Prohibition of discrimination (Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Public Law 88-352 (78 Stat. 241)): requires that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Any program or activity supported by grants from the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration, like every program or activity receiving financial assistance from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, must be operated in compliance with this law. The Vocational Rehabilitation Administration has also been delegated the Secretary's functions under section 9 of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 759). LIST II. ALL FEDERAL LEGISLATION RELATING TO FEDERAL-STATE PROGRAM, 1920-64 The basic enabling legislation is to be found in three legislative enactments: (1) The first Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1920 which provided grants to States for limited services in vocational training, counseling, and placement. (The authority for the program was renewed several times until it was made "permanent" as title V, part 4, of the Social Security Act in 1935.) (2) Public Law 113 of 1943, which broadened the concept of rehabilitation to include the provision of physical restoration services to remove or reduce disabilities and to include services to the mentally handicapped. Under this law for the first time the separate State agencies serving the blind came into the Federal-State program. (3) Public Law 565 of 1954, which gave great impetus to the cooperative Federal-State program. These amendments were designed to help provide for specialized rehabilitation facilities, for more comprehensive services to individuals, and for other administrative improvements to increase the program's overall effectiveness. COMPLETE LIST OF FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO THE FEDERAL-STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, 1920-64 Act of June 2, 1960 (Public Law 236, 66th Cong.) Provision for an appropriation of $750,000 for the fiscal year 1921 and $1 million a year for fiscal years 1922 to 1924, for payments to States cooperating in vocational rehabilitation of persons disabled in industry. Federal funds were to be matched by the States, and funds were not to be used for institutions for handicapped persons except for special training of individuals entitled to benefits of the act, as determined by the Federal Board of Vocational Education. Supplemental acts Act of March 10, 1924 (Public Law 35, 68th Cong.).—Extended provisions of several grant-in-aid programs, including vocational rehabilitation, to Hawaii. Act of June 5, 1924 (Public Law 200, 68th Cong.).—Authorized appropriations of $1 million a year for fiscal years 1925-30, for payments to States under similar conditions. Act of February 23, 1929 (Public Law 801, 70th Cong.).-Provided for a program of vocational rehabilitation in the District of Columbia to be administered by the agency which administered the Federal grants to the States, rather than a District agency. Act of June 9, 1930 (Public Law 317, 71st Cong.) and act of June 30, 1932 (Public Law 222, 72d Cong.).—Authorized appropriations of $1 million a year for fiscal years 1931-37 for payments to States under similar conditions, except that funds were for persons disabled in industry or otherwise. (Executive Order 6166 of June 10, 1933, transferred the functions of the Federal Board for Vocational Education to the Department of Interior, where the functions were administered by the Office of Education.) Act of March 3, 1931 (Public Law 791, 71st Cong.).—Extended provisions of Vocational Rehabilitation Act to Puerto Rico. Other changes occurred after the 1932 amendment that affected the law as materially as an amendment of the act. The Social Security Act provided for increased aid to vocational rehabilitation in recognition of the importance of such work in a permanent program for economic security. The Social Security Act did not amend the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Rather it authorized certain appropriations to be made in order to extend and strengthen the cooperative program of vocational rehabilitation and "to continue to carry out the provisions and purposes" of the National Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1920, as amended. The Social Security Act included a permanent authorization, increased grants, and increased support of Federal administration. Social Security Act (Public Law 271, 74th Cong.).-The Social Security Act authorized additional appropriations of $841,000 for fiscal years 1936 and 1937 and an additional appropriation of $1,938,000 thereafter. Social Security Act Amendments of 1939 (Public Law 379, 76th Cong.).—The Social Security Amendments increased the authorized annual appropriation to $3,500,000 for grants to the States, set the minimum allotment for any State at $20,000, and authorized $150,000 a year to be appropriated for Federal administration. Also, provided that Puerto Rico should share in the grants for vocational rehabilitation on the same basis as a State. (NOTE. The basic rehabilitation legislation remained the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1920, as amended in 1924, 1930, and 1932, although the authorization for grants under such basic legislation expired in 1937.) Vocational Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1943 (Public Law 113, 78th Cong.), amended and superseded the act of 1920, as amended.-Payments to States with approved plans for vocational rehabilitation were authorized for (1) the entire expense for vocational rehabilitation of the war disabled; (2) half the expense of vocational rehabilitation of other disabled persons, the remainder to be State financed; and (3) the entire expense of administration including guidance and placement services. This law placed the 48 States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico on the same footing with respect to Federal grants. The law also significantly broadened the concept of rehabilitation, to define "vocational rehabilitation services" as "any services necessary to render a disabled individual fit to engage in a remunerative occupation." The effect was to authorize the provision of physical restoration services to remove or reduce disabilities and to make the mentally handicapped eligible for vocational rehabilitation services. In addition, separate State agencies serving the blind came into the Federal-State program for the first time. Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments of 1954.-Vocational Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C., ch. 4), as amended by section 2 of Public Law 565, 83d Congress (Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments of 1954). Section 2: Grants to States for the basic support of vocational rehabilitation services. Section 3: Grants to States for the extension and improvement of vocational rehabilitation services. Section 4: Grants for research, demonstration, and training. Amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Act since 1954.— Act of August 1, 1956, section 16, Public Law 896, 84th Congress: Extension of provisions of Vocational Rehabilitation Act to Guam. Public Law 937, 84th Congress (now expired-extended expansion grants program through fiscal year 1957). Public Law 85-198: Amendments to exempt physicians enrolled in residency training program in physical medicine and rehabilitation from the 2-year limitation on receipt of Vocational Rehabilitation Administration traineeship and permit them to receive a traineeship for as long as 3 years. Public Law 85-213 (now expired-an extension relating to expansion grant projects). Public Law 86-70, Alaska Omnibus Act: In connection with Alaska's statehood, amendments of financing provisions for Alaska's basic support program under section 2 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Public Law 86-624, Hawaii Omnibus Act: In connection with Hawaii's statehood, amendments of financing provisions for Hawaii's basic support program under section 2 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Public Law 88-605, Appropriations Act: Amendment to authorize as State funds for matching purposes, contributions of funds made by private organizations or individuals to a State to assist in meeting the costs of establishment of a public or other nonprofit workshop or rehabilitation facility, where the contributor imposes a condition limiting the use of such funds to establishment of such workshop or facility. Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act, as amended (20 U.S.C., ch. 6A).—This act provides that qualified blind persons licensed by a designated State agency shall be given preference to operate vending stands on Federal and other property. Heads of Federal departments and agencies in control of Federal property are required to prescribe regulations designed to assure that such preference is given. The Secretary of this Department designates the State commission for the blind in each State (or, where there is no such commission, some other State agency) as the agency for licensing blind persons to operate vending stands on Federal and other property in such State. In any State having an approved plan under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the licensing agency to be designated shall be that which administers vocational rehabilitation of the blind. Rehabilitation facilities construction provisions of title VI of the Public Health Service Act as amended by section 3(a) of Public Law 88-413, Hospital and Medical Facilities Amendments of 1964 (42 U.S.C., ch. A, subch. IV): In connection with construction and modernization of hospital and other medical facilities, authorizes appropriations for construction of public or other nonprofit rehabilitation facilities. Disability benefits provisions of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 421, 422): In connection with the disability determination provisions of the Social Security Act, authorizes agreements whereby responsibility is assigned to State vocational rehabilitation agencies for evaluating the disability and rehabilitation potential of each person who applies for disability benefits under OASI and also requires Federal referral of such persons to the State agency for necessary vocational rehabilitation services. International Health Research Act of 1960 (22 U.S.C., ch. 30; Public Law 86-610) and section 104(K), Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1704, foreign currency program): Legislation in connection with administration of an international research program for the purpose of enhancing rehabilitation research within the United States and over the world. Public Welfare Amendments of 1962 (42 U.S.C. 303, 603, 1203, 1353, 138^).— Use of State vocational rehabilitation services to assistance recipients or applicants. Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352).—Title VI requires that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The Vocational Rehabilitation Administration has also been delegated the Secretary's functions under section 9 of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 759). APPENDIX B The Pruitt-Igoe housing development, located on four square blocks amid the worst slums of St. Louis, is home for 12,000 people, more than half of them living on public assistance. Attack on Poverty ALVIN C. McDANIEL Vocational rehabilitation helps fight want as part of concerted services project for low income residents of public housing. T HE FIRST thing you see when you approach the Pruitt-Igoe low-cost housing project in St. Louis is hundreds of broken windows. Not until you get closer do you notice that many of the windows you thought were whole really are not-they have bullet holes in them. This housing development went up in 1955 and 1956, replacing four square blocks of ramshackle houses in the midst of a strip of the city known as "Crime Corridor." There are now 33 apartment buildings on this plot of land, each 11 stories high. In the 4-block area live more than 12,000 persons, Mr. McDANIEL is director of the vocational rehabilitation project described in this article. almost all of them Negroes and almost all of them the very embodiment of big city poverty. This is a report on the first 2 years of a 5-year vocational rehabilitation project which is operating in Pruitt-Igoe as part of an effort by a number of public agencies to help these 12,000 people to a better way of living. The effort is the first in a series of concerted services projects for low-income residents of public housing, inaugurated by a Joint Task Force of the Housing and Home Finance Agency and appropriate agencies within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Two similar projects are now underway in public housing developments, one in New Haven, Conn., and the other in Pittsburg, Calif. A fourth, which will serve residents of a housing development for the elderly in Miami, Fla., has been announced. Our part of this overall effort involves persons who have disability in addition to poverty and deprivation. We operate under the direction of the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and with financial support from VRA. We and the people who work in other aspects of Reprinted from Rehabilitation Record by Vocational Rehabilitation Administration |