![](media/image1.wmf){width="8.0in" height="10.490277777777777in"}

**[Rehabilitation Services Administration]{.smallcaps}**

**[Report on Federal Activities\
Under the *Rehabilitation Act*]{.smallcaps}**

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

**U.S. Department of Education**

Margaret Spellings

*Secretary*

**Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services**

John H. Hager

*Assistant Secretary*

**Rehabilitation Services Administration**

Edward Anthony

*Delegated the authority to perform the functions of commissioner of the
Rehabilitation Services Administration*

**May 2007**

This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in
whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this
publication is not necessary, the citation should be: U.S. Department of
Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
*Rehabilitation Services Administration Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2003:
Report on Federal Activities Under the Rehabilitation Act*, Washington,
D.C. 2007.

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product, commodity or service mentioned in this publication is intended
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# Contents

Figures [v](#figures)

Tables [vii](#tables)

Abbreviations [ix](#abbreviations)

Foreword [xi](#foreword)

The *Rehabilitation Act:* An Overview
[3](#the-rehabilitation-act-an-overview)

Programs Under the *Rehabilitation Act*
[9](#programs-under-the-rehabilitation-act)

Employment Programs [11](#employment-programs)

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
[11](#vocational-rehabilitation-services-program)

Supported Employment Services Program
[25](#supported-employment-services-program)

American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program
[27](#american-indian-vocational-rehabilitation-services-program)

Demonstration and Training Programs
[29](#demonstration-and-training-programs)

Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Program
[31](#migrant-and-seasonal-farmworkers-program)

Projects With Industry [33](#projects-with-industry)

Business Enterprise Program [36](#business-enterprise-program)

Independent Living and Community Integration
[39](#independent-living-and-community-integration)

Independent Living Services Program
[39](#independent-living-services-program)

Centers for Independent Living Program
[40](#centers-for-independent-living-program)

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind
[41](#independent-living-services-for-older-individuals-who-are-blind)

Recreational Programs [42](#recreational-programs)

Technical Assistance, Training and Support
[45](#technical-assistance-training-and-support)

Program Improvement [45](#program-improvement)

Capacity-building for Traditionally Underserved Populations
[46](#capacity-building-for-traditionally-underserved-populations)

Rehabilitation Training Program [48](#rehabilitation-training-program)

Evaluation, Research and Information Dissemination
[53](#evaluation-research-and-information-dissemination)

Program Evaluation [53](#program-evaluation)

*American Rehabilitation Magazine*
[58](#american-rehabilitation-magazine)

Information Clearinghouse [59](#information-clearinghouse)

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
[59](#national-institute-on-disability-and-rehabilitation-research)

Advocacy and Enforcement [69](#advocacy-and-enforcement)

Client Assistance Program [69](#client-assistance-program)

Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights Program
[71](#protection-and-advocacy-of-individual-rights-program)

Employment of People with Disabilities
[73](#employment-of-people-with-disabilities)

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
[73](#architectural-and-transportation-barriers-compliance-board)

Electronic and Information Technology
[74](#electronic-and-information-technology)

Employment Under Federal Contracts
[75](#employment-under-federal-contracts)

Nondiscrimination Under Federal Grants and Programs
[75](#nondiscrimination-under-federal-grants-and-programs)

National Council on Disability [76](#national-council-on-disability)

Appendix A [79](#appendix-a)

Table A-1 Employment Outcomes (Evaluation Standard 1) of State VR
Agencies --- General and Combined, by Indicator and Jurisdiction, Fiscal
Year 2003 [79](#__RefHeading___Toc165263897)

Table A-2 Employment Outcomes (Evaluation Standard 1) of State VR
Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired, by Indicator and
Jurisdiction, Fiscal Year 2003 [82](#__RefHeading___Toc165263898)

Table A-3 Equal Access to Service (Evaluation Standard 2) of State VR
AgenciesGeneral and Combined, by Indicator and Jurisdiction, Fiscal
Year 2003 [84](#__RefHeading___Toc165263899)

Table A-4 Equal Access to Service (Evaluation Standard 2) of State VR
Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired, by Indicator and
Jurisdiction, Fiscal Year 2003 [86](#__RefHeading___Toc165263900)

Appendix B [89](#appendix-b)

Table B Employment Outcomes of State VR Agencies: Number and Percentage
Change for Individuals With Significant Disabilities, by Type of Agency
and Jurisdiction,\
Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 [89](#__RefHeading___Toc165263902)

Appendix C [99](#appendix-c)

Definition of *Individual With a Disability* as Listed in\
Section 7(20) of the *Rehabilitation Act*
[99](#definition-of-individual-with-a-disability-as-listed-in-section-720-of-the-rehabilitation-act)

References [105](#references)

# Figures

[1. The *Rehabilitation Act of 1973*, as Amended: Names of Titles
3](#figure-1.-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973-as-amended-names-of-titles)

[2. Overall State VR Agency Performance for Evaluation Standard 1,\
Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
20](#figure-2-overall-state-vr-agency-performance-for-evaluation-standard-1-fiscal-years-2002-and-2003)

[3. VR Program Participants, New Applicants and Total Caseload,\
Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
21](#figure-3-vr-program-participants-new-applicants-and-total-caseload-fiscal-years-2002-and-2003)

[4. VR Program Participants Achieving Employment,\
Fiscal Years 1996--2003
21](#figure-4-vr-program-participants-achieving-employment-fiscal-years-19962003)

[5. VR Program Participants Achieving Competitive Employment,\
Fiscal Years 2001--03
24](#figure-5-vr-program-participants-achieving-competitive-employment-fiscal-years-200103)

# Tables

[1. State VR Agency Performance on Employment Outcomes and Equal Access
to Services, by Type of Agency and Performance Indicators,\
Fiscal Year 2003 19](#__RefHeading___Toc151531485)

[2. Individuals Obtaining Employment After Exiting Vocational
Rehabilitation, Fiscal Years 1995--2003
23](#__RefHeading___Toc151531486)

[3. American Indian VR Services Grants: Numbers and Funding Amounts,
Fiscal Years 1999--2003 28](#__RefHeading___Toc151531487)

[4. Number of Individuals Achieving Employment Through American Indian
VR Services, Fiscal Years 1997--2003 28](#__RefHeading___Toc151531488)

[5. Special Demonstration Programs Outcome Data, Fiscal Years 2001--03
30](#__RefHeading___Toc151531489)

[6. Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Program: Number of Grants,\
Fiscal Years 2000--03 32](#__RefHeading___Toc151531490)

[7. Projects With Industry Program Outcomes, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
35](#__RefHeading___Toc151531491)

[8. Business Enterprise Program Outcomes, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
37](#__RefHeading___Toc151531492)

[9. Recreational Programs: Number of Grants, Fiscal Years 2001--03
43](#__RefHeading___Toc151531493)

[10. Rehabilitation Training Projects: Numbers and Funding Amounts, by
Type of Project, Fiscal Year 2003 50](#__RefHeading___Toc151531494)

[11. NIDRR-Funded Centers and Projects: Funding and Awards,\
Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 67](#__RefHeading___Toc151531495)

[A-1. Employment Outcomes (Evaluation Standard 1) of State VR Agencies
--- General and Combined, by Indicator and Jurisdiction, Fiscal Year
2003 79](#__RefHeading___Toc151531496)

[A-2. Employment Outcomes (Evaluation Standard 1) of State VR Agencies
Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired, by Indicator and Jurisdiction,\
Fiscal Year 2003 82](#__RefHeading___Toc165263898)

[A-3. Equal Access to Service (Evaluation Standard 2) of State VR
AgenciesGeneral and Combined, by Indicator and Jurisdiction,\
Fiscal Year 2003 84](#__RefHeading___Toc151531498)

[A-4. Equal Access to Service (Evaluation Standard 2) of State VR
Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired, by Indicator and
Jurisdiction,\
Fiscal Year 2003 86](#__RefHeading___Toc151531499)

[B. Employment Outcomes of State VR Agencies: Number and Percentage
Change for Individuals With Significant Disabilities, by Type of Agency
and Jurisdiction, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
89](#__RefHeading___Toc151531500)

 

# Abbreviations

  ------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
  **AART**      Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training

  ***ABA***     *Architectural Barriers Act*

  ***ADA***     *Americans with Disabilities Act*

  **AIVRS**     American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services

  **BAC**       Business Advisory Councils

  **BEP**       Business Enterprise Program

  **BIA**       Bureau of Indian Affairs

  **CAP**       Client Assistance Program

  **CFR**       Code of Federal Regulations

  **CIL**       Center for Independent Living

  **CM**        Common Measure

  **CoE**       Center of Excellence

  **CRD**       Civil Rights Division

  **CRP**       Community Rehabilitation Programs

  **CSPD**      Comprehensive System of Personnel Development

  **DBTAC**     Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center

  ***DD Act***  *Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights
                Act of 2000*

  **DRRP**      Disability and Rehabilitation Research and Related
                Projects

  **EEOC**      Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

  **FIP**       Field-Initiated Projects

  **FR**        *Federal Register*

  **FY**        Fiscal Year

  ***GPRA***    *Government Performance and Results Act*

  **GSA**       General Services Administration

  **ICDR**      Interagency Committee on Disability Research

  **IL**        Independent Living

  **IPE**       Individualized Plan for Employment

  **IRI**       Institute on Rehabilitation Issues

  **KDU**       Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization

  **MSI**       Minority Serving Institutions

  **NCD**       National Council on Disability

  **NCRTM**     National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training
                Materials

  **NIDRR**     National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
                Research

  **NVRTAC**    National Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance
                Center

  **OCIO**      Office of Chief Information Officer

  **OCR**       Office for Civil Rights

  **OFCCP**     Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Programs

  **OSERS**     Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

  **PAIR**      Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights

  **PART**      Program Assessment Rating Tool

  **PWI**       Projects With Industry

  **RERC**      Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center

  **RRCEP**     Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Programs

  **RRTC**      Rehabilitation Research and Training Center

  **RSA**       Rehabilitation Services Administration

  **SCI**       Spinal Cord Injury

  **SILC**      Statewide Independent Living Council

  **SILS**      State Independent Living Services

  **SSDI**      Social Security Disability Insurance

  **SSI**       Supplemental Security Income

  **TBI**       Traumatic Brain Injury

  **UI**        Unemployment Insurance

  **VR**        Vocational Rehabilitation

  ***WIA***     *Workforce Investment Act*
  ------------- ---------------------------------------------------------

# Foreword

> The *Rehabilitation Act of 1973*, as amended (the act), provides the
> legislative basis for programs and activities that assist individuals
> with disabilities in the pursuit of gainful employment, independence,
> self-sufficiency and full integration into community life.
>
> This report is intended to provide a description of accomplishments
> and progress made under the act during fiscal year 2003 (October 2002
> through September 2003). To that end, the report identifies major
> activities that occurred during that fiscal year and the status of
> those activities during that specific time period.
>
> The report provides a description of the activities of the
> Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), a component of the
> Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S.
> Department of Education. RSA is the principal agency for carrying out
> Titles I, III, VI, and VII, as well as specified portions of Title V
> of the act. RSA has responsibility for preparing and submitting this
> report to the president and Congress under Section 13 of the act.
>
> The act also authorizes research activities that are administered by
> the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
> (NIDRR) and the work of the National Council on Disability (NCD), and
> includes a variety of provisions focused on rights, advocacy and
> protections for individuals with disabilities. A description of those
> activities also is provided in this report.

The *Rehabilitation Act:*\
An Overview

# The *Rehabilitation Act:* An Overview

Federal interest and involvement in rehabilitation issues and policy
date from the *Smith-Fess Act of 1920*. The *Smith-Fess Act* marked the
beginning of a federal and state partnership in the rehabilitation of
individuals with disabilities. Although the law was passed shortly after
the end of World War I, its provisions were specifically directed at the
rehabilitation needs of persons who were industrially disabled rather
than those of disabled veterans.

A major event in the history of the federal rehabilitation program was
passage of the *Rehabilitation Act of 1973* (the act). The act, as
amended, provides the legislative basis for programs and activities that
assist individuals with disabilities[^1] in the pursuit of gainful
employment, independence, self-sufficiency and full integration into
community life. Under the act, the following federal agencies and
entities are charged with administering a wide variety of programs and
activities: the departments of Education, Labor and Justice, the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission, the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board and the National Council on Disability.

The U.S. Department of Education has primary responsibility for
administering the act. Within the Department, the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is the administrative
entity responsible for oversight of programs under the act that are
funded through the Department. Within OSERS, the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA) and the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) share responsibility for carrying out
the administration of those programs. RSA is the principal agency for
carrying out Titles I, III, VI, and VII, as well as specified portions
of Title V of the act. NIDRR is responsible for administering Title II
of the act. (See fig. 1 for title names.)

+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| ##       |                                                           |
| # Figure |                                                           |
|  1. The  |                                                           |
| *Rehabil |                                                           |
| itation  |                                                           |
| Act of 1 |                                                           |
| 973*, as |                                                           |
|  Amended |                                                           |
| : Names  |                                                           |
| of Title |                                                           |
| s {#figu |                                                           |
| re-1.-th |                                                           |
| e-rehabi |                                                           |
| litation |                                                           |
| -act-of- |                                                           |
| 1973-as- |                                                           |
| amended- |                                                           |
| names-of |                                                           |
| -titles  |                                                           |
| .Figure- |                                                           |
| Heading} |                                                           |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| *        | **Name**                                                  |
| *Title** |                                                           |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| I        | Vocational Rehabilitation Services                        |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| II       | Research and Training                                     |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| III      | Professional Development and Special Projects and         |
|          | Demonstrations                                            |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| IV       | National Council on Disability                            |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| V        | Rights and Advocacy                                       |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| VI       | Employment Opportunities for Individuals with             |
|          | Disabilities                                              |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| VII      | Independent Living Services and Centers for Independent   |
|          | Living                                                    |
+----------+-----------------------------------------------------------+

RSA staff, which in fiscal year (FY) 2003 was located in Washington,
D.C. and 10 regional offices across the nation, provided technical
assistance and leadership to states and other grantees in carrying out
the purposes and policy outlined in the act. \[These regional offices
were closed on Sept. 30, 2005. RSA currently administers its programs
from its headquarters office in Washington, D.C.\] RSA administers grant
programs that provide direct support for vocational rehabilitation,
independent living and individual advocacy and assistance. The agency
also supports training and related activities designed to increase the
number of qualified personnel trained in providing rehabilitation and
other services and to upgrade the skills and credentials of employed
personnel.

In addition, RSA conducts model demonstrations and systems-change
projects to improve services provided under the act, and evaluates
programs to assess their effectiveness and identify best practices.
Finally, RSA provides consultative and technical assistance services and
disseminates information to public and nonprofit private agencies and
organizations to facilitate meaningful and effective participation by
individuals with disabilities in employment and in the community.

By far, the largest program administered by RSA is the Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR) Services Program, also known as the Vocational
Rehabilitation State Grants Program (hereinafter referred to as the VR
program). This program funds state VR agencies to provide
employment-related services for individuals with disabilities so that
they may prepare for and engage in gainful employment that is consistent
with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities,
capabilities, interests and informed choice.

For over 80 years, the VR program has helped individuals with
disabilities prepare for and enter into the workplace. Nationwide, VR
programs serve more than 1 million people with disabilities each year.
Over 91 percent of the people who use state VR services have significant
physical or mental disabilities that seriously limit one or more
functional capacities. These individuals often require multiple services
over an extended period of time. For them, VR services are indispensable
to their becoming employed and reducing their reliance on public
support.

Under Title II of the act, NIDRR conducts comprehensive and coordinated
programs of research, demonstration projects, training and related
activities. NIDRR-funded programs and activities are designed to promote
employment, independent living, maintenance of health and function, full
inclusion and integration into society, and the transfer of
rehabilitation technology to individuals with disabilities. The intent
is to improve the economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals
with disabilities and the effectiveness of programs and services
authorized under the act.

Toward that goal, NIDRR supports rehabilitation research and
development, demonstration projects and related activities, including
the training of persons who provide rehabilitation services or who
conduct rehabilitation research. In addition, NIDRR supports projects to
disseminate and promote the use of information concerning developments
in rehabilitation procedures, methods and devices. Information is
provided to rehabilitation professionals, persons with disabilities and
their representatives. NIDRR also supports data analyses on the
demographics of disability and provides that information to
policymakers, administrators and other relevant groups. Awards are
competitive, with applications reviewed by panels of experts, including
rehabilitation professionals, rehabilitation researchers and persons
with disabilities.

The act has been a driving force behind major changes that have since
affected the lives of millions of individuals with disabilities in this
country. With passage of the *Workforce Investment Act of 1998* (*WIA*),
the act was reauthorized for another five years. This report covers FY
2003 and describes all of the major programs and activities authorized
under the act and the success of the federal government in carrying out
the purposes and policy outlined in the act.

Programs Under\
The *Rehabilitation Act*

# Programs Under The *Rehabilitation Act*

RSA directly funds or supports through partnerships with other federal
and nonfederal agencies, a wide variety of initiatives, programs or
activities that are authorized under the act. For the purpose of this
report, these initiatives, programs and activities are organized into
five major areas. Within each area, the report provides a description of
the discrete program, initiative or activity. Descriptions include RSA
budget allocations for FY 2003 and reporting of major outcomes and
accomplishments. Programs organized by these five areas are:

**Employment Programs**

-   Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program

-   Supported Employment Services Program

-   American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program

-   Demonstration and Training Program

-   Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Program

-   Projects With Industry

-   Business Enterprise Program

**Independent Living and Community Integration**

-   Independent Living Services Program

-   Centers for Independent Living Program

-   Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind

-   Recreational Programs

**Technical Assistance, Training and Support**

-   Program Improvement

-   Capacity-building for Traditionally Underserved Populations

-   Rehabilitation Training Program

**Evaluation, Research and Information Dissemination**

-   Program Evaluation

-   *American Rehabilitation Magazine*

-   Information Clearinghouse

-   National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

**Advocacy and Enforcement**

-   Client Assistance Program

-   Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights

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-   Employment of People With Disabilities

-   Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

-   Electronic and Information Technology

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-   Employment Under Federal Contracts

-   Nondiscrimination Under Federal Grants and Programs

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-   National Council on Disability

## Employment Programs

RSA administers seven programs that assist individuals with disabilities
to achieve employment outcomes[^2]. Two of these programs, the
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program (VR program) and the
Supported Employment Services Program, are state formula grant programs.
The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Demonstration
and Training, Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers and the Projects With
Industry programs are discretionary grant programs that make competitive
awards for up to a five-year period. RSA also provides oversight of the
Business Enterprise Program operated by state VR agencies for
individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Each of these programs
is described below.

### Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program

## Authorized Under Sections 100--111 of the Act Managed by the Program Administration Division of RSA {#authorized-under-sections-100111-of-the-act-managed-by-the-program-administration-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services program assists states in
operating VR programs as an integral part of a coordinated, statewide
workforce investment system. Specifically, the VR program is designed to
provide VR services to eligible individuals with disabilities so that
they may achieve an employment outcome that is consistent with their
strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities,
interests and informed choice.

The federal government covers 78.7 percent of the program\'s costs
through financial assistance to the states for program services and
administration. Federal funds are transferred to the states[^3] based on
a statutory formula in Section 8 of the act. The formula takes into
consideration a state\'s population and per capita income. To match the
federal funds allotted to the states for the VR program, states expended
\$876,668,357 of their own funds.

Each state designates a state agency to administer the VR program. The
act provides flexibility to the states with respect to the
organizational positioning of the VR program within the state structure.
The VR program can be located in one of two types of state agencies ---
one that is primarily concerned with VR, or VR and other rehabilitation
of individuals with disabilities; or in an agency that is not primarily
concerned with VR, or VR and other rehabilitation of individuals with
disabilities. For the latter, the act requires the agency to have a
designated state unit (DSU) that is primarily concerned with VR, or VR
and other rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. The act also
provides flexibility for a state to have two state VR agencies --- one
for individuals who are blind and one for individuals with other types
of disabilities. All 56 states have VR agencies; however, in FY 2003, 24
states also had separate agencies serving blind or visually impaired
individuals. Of the 80 VR agencies, 25 are primarily concerned with VR
and other rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. Of these, 10
are consumer-controlled agencies. Of the 55 agencies that are not
primarily concerned with VR, or VR and other rehabilitation of
individuals with disabilities, the VR program is located in 12 education
agencies; 14 labor/workforce agencies; and 28 human services/welfare
agencies. For American Samoa, the act identifies the Governor\'s Office
as the VR agency.

Each VR agency works toward establishing a seamless service delivery
system that can provide uninterrupted services to eligible individuals.
For that purpose, state VR agencies establish collaborative
relationships and partnerships with a broad spectrum of public agencies
and the private sector to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
services. The VR program is committed to providing services to
individuals with significant disabilities[^4] and assisting each
consumer to achieve high-quality employment outcomes.

RSA in its relationships with the states has continued to emphasize the
priorities of high-quality employment outcomes and increased services to
individuals with significant disabilities. To this end, in FY 2003, RSA
articulated the following policy priorities and principles for the VR
program.

-   Individuals with disabilities, including those with the most
    significant disabilities[^5], are capable of achieving competitive,
    high-quality employment in integrated settings and living full and
    productive lives in their communities.

-   The low expectations and misunderstandings that society, some
    service providers, or consumers themselves have about their
    abilities, capacities, commitment, creativity, interests and
    ingenuity are major barriers to the employment and independence of
    individuals with disabilities.

-   Individuals with disabilities are able to make informed choices
    about their own lives --- including their employment options, the
    types of services they need, the selection of service providers ---
    and are able to assume responsibility for their decisions.

-   The primary role of VR agencies and other RSA-funded entities is to
    provide individuals with disabilities with information, skills
    training, education, confidence and support services so that the
    individual is empowered to make informed choices about his or her
    professional and personal life.

-   Services are best delivered within a framework of accountability,
    flexibility and the least administrative burden necessary.

-   Collaboration between rehabilitation service providers and
    community-based organizations comprised of individuals with
    disabilities enhances the quality of services and improves outcomes.

**Initiatives**

Within the context of these policy priorities and principles, in FY 2003
RSA undertook a variety of leadership, technical assistance and
monitoring initiatives to strengthen the VR program. To ensure that
these initiatives reflected the concerns of individuals with
disabilities and other stakeholders, they were fashioned in light of the
results of RSA\'s outreach efforts. These efforts, which included the
conduct of public meetings around the nation, sought to learn what the
program needed to do to more effectively carry out its mission to
empower individuals with disabilities, particularly those with
significant disabilities, to achieve the high-quality employment
outcomes to which they aspire and choose.

Some of the key initiatives undertaken by RSA in FY 2003 to expand and
enhance the provision and administration of VR services included the
following.

-   Creation of the Transition Work Group made up of representatives of
    the RSA central and 10 regional offices and the state VR agencies to
    develop a multiyear strategic plan to guide state VR agencies in
    their efforts to improve the nature and scope of their transition
    services to students with disabilities as they pursue postsecondary
    educational opportunities and prepare for meaningful careers.

-   Follow-up activities by the 10 RSA regions to extend and expand upon
    the implementation of recommendations developed at the FY 2002
    National Employment Conference, especially in regard to
    demonstrating evidence-based model practices for assisting
    individuals with disabilities to achieve their employment goals and
    aspirations.

-   Identification of issues relating to the proposed FY 2003
    reauthorization of the act and the formulation of reauthorization
    proposals for the consideration of the Department.

-   Convening advocates, researchers, educators and partners that
    provide employment services to people with mental illness to discuss
    strategies that RSA could implement immediately and over a longer
    time period to assist state VR agencies to work more effectively
    with persons with mental illness and other cognitive disabilities.
    The meeting generated recommendations that focused on service
    integration, stigma, long-term employment supports, resource
    enhancements, applied research, and the involvement of other service
    provider systems. In addition, a listserv was created to provide a
    forum for ongoing dialogue among the various stakeholders. This
    meeting coincided with a RSA funded technical assistance initiative
    under its Institute on Rehabilitation Issues that devoted one study
    group to address the topic \"Innovative Methods for Providing VR
    Services to Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities.\"

-   Conducting the third in a series of technical assistance meetings
    for state VR agencies as they continued their efforts to collaborate
    in the implementation of the Ticket-to-Work Program that is designed
    to improve the employment outcomes for Social Security Disability
    Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income
    (SSI) recipients. Since approximately 90 percent of all assigned
    tickets were held by state VR agencies, RSA considered such
    technical assistance efforts crucial to support the smooth
    implementation of this program.

-   On-site monitoring in 74 state VR agencies and requiring the other
    six to conduct self-assessments. This level of monitoring of state
    agency performance reflects key principles of RSA policy: to ensure
    accountability in the VR program; to support ongoing efforts to
    promote continuous quality improvement; and to assess the nature and
    scope of technical assistance needed by state VR agencies. In FY
    2003, RSA focused its monitoring efforts on the following:

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-   A service-record review to examine eligibility determinations,
    timeliness and substantiality of VR services, and quality of
    employment outcomes. The reviews assessed not only whether the state
    agencies were in compliance with legal requirements but also
    examined agency performance with respect to the quality of
    rehabilitation practice and service provision. It is anticipated
    that the results of this performance monitoring will provide the
    basis to engage state VR agencies in a dialogue to develop standards
    of effective practice in these critical service delivery areas.

-   Assessing state VR agency performance in the implementation of
    transition services to students with disabilities to help them
    achieve employment outcomes and to determine compliance with the
    assurances made in the VR state plan. This assessment encompassed a
    review of agency policies and procedures regarding transition
    services; a review of formal interagency agreements between the VR
    agency and the state education agency; examination of service
    records in which transition services were provided to students with
    disabilities; and interviews with the state VR administrators,
    transition coordinators, VR counselors, and special education
    personnel. As an adjunct to these monitoring efforts, RSA staff
    collaborated with its sister agency --- the Office of Special
    Education Programs --- to: (1) conduct joint monitoring in two
    states to examine in more depth the nature and scope of
    collaborative efforts between the VR agencies and the schools in
    meeting the transition needs of students with disabilities; (2)
    comply with the transition-related requirements of the act and the
    *Individuals with Disabilities Education Act*; and (3) collect data
    on promising transition practices.

-   Determining whether state VR agencies had in place agreements with
    public institutions of higher education to identify the financial
    responsibilities for the provision of VR services and to promote the
    coordination and timely delivery of those services.

-   Fiscal monitoring of state VR agency cost allocation agreements and
    practices under *WIA*; matching and earmarking of federal funds;
    financial and statistical reports; and closeout grant activities.

In addition to the monitoring activities determined by RSA as required
in FY 2003, RSA regional offices, as part of their ongoing monitoring of
state agency operations, had the flexibility to develop and use other
monitoring instruments such as:

-   An examination of a state\'s implementation of its workforce
    investment system to gauge its impact on applicants and individuals
    determined eligible for VR services.

-   For those state VR agencies that assured in their VR state plans
    that they could provide the full scope of VR services to all
    eligible individuals, an assessment of whether an agency\'s
    performance is consistent with that determination. And, for those
    agencies that determined that they could not provide the full scope
    of VR services to all eligible individuals and implemented an order
    of selection, serving first those individuals with the most
    significant disabilities, an examination to determine whether
    implementation of the order of selection met all program
    requirements.

-   A survey that tests whether a designated state unit that is
    responsible for the state agency's administration of the VR program
    --- when the state agency is not primarily concerned with VR, or VR
    and other rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities --- is in
    compliance with federal legal requirements.

-   Additional monitoring instruments available to the RSA regional
    offices in their ongoing evaluation of state agency policies and
    practices including: self-contained modules that focus on
    eligibility determination; development of the Individualized Plan
    for Employment (IPE); exercise of informed choice; implementation of
    a comprehensive system of personnel development; due process,
    including mediation; and the composition and functions of the state
    rehabilitation councils.

**Program Performance**

RSA has a long history of ensuring accountability in the administration
of the various programs under its jurisdiction, especially the VR
program. Since its inception in 1920, the VR program has been one of the
few federal grant programs that has had outcome data on which to assess
its performance, including its performance in assisting individuals to
achieve employment outcomes. Over the years, RSA has used these basic
performance data, or some variation, to evaluate the effectiveness of
state VR agencies. In FY 2000, RSA developed two evaluation standards
and performance indicators for each evaluation standard as the criteria
by which the effectiveness of the VR program is assessed. The two
standards establish performance benchmarks for employment outcomes under
the VR program and the access of minorities to the services of the state
VR agencies.

**Evaluation Standard 1** focuses on employment outcomes achieved by
individuals with disabilities, especially individuals who achieve
competitive employment[^6] subsequent to the receipt of services from a
state VR agency. The standard has six performance indicators, each
having a required minimum performance level to meet the indicator. For
any given year, calculations for each performance indicator for agencies
that exclusively serve individuals with visual impairments or blindness
are based on aggregated data for the current and previous year, i.e.,
two years of data. For VR agencies serving all disability populations
other than those with visual impairments or blindness, or all disability
populations, the calculations are based on data from the current year
only, except for Performance Indicator 1.1, which requires comparative
data for both years.

Three of the six performance indicators have been designated as
\"primary indicators\" since they reflect the key policy priorities of
the agency with respect to the VR program's mission of empowering
individuals with disabilities, particularly those with significant
disabilities, to achieve high-quality employment outcomes. High-quality
employment outcomes include employment in the competitive labor market
that is performed on a full-time or part-time basis and for which
individuals with disabilities are compensated in terms of the customary
wage (but not less than the minimum wage) and level of benefits paid by
the employer for the same or similar work carried out by individuals who
are not disabled.

Listed below are the six performance indicators along with the minimum
performance level as identified in the program regulations at 34 CFR
361.82 and 361.84. **The three primary performance indicators are
highlighted by an asterisk (\*).** In order for an agency to \"pass\"
Evaluation Standard 1, it must meet or exceed at least four of the six
performance indicators, including at least two of the three primary
performance indicators.

**Performance Indicator 1.1**

The number of individuals exiting the VR program who achieved an
employment outcome \[got a job\] during the current performance period
compared to the number of individuals who exit the VR program after
achieving an employment outcome during the previous performance period.

**Required Performance Level:** Performance in current period must equal
or exceed performance in previous period.

**Performance Indicator 1.2**

Of all individuals who exit the VR program after receiving services, the
percentage who are determined to have achieved an employment outcome.

**Required Performance Level:** For agencies serving individuals who are
blind, the level is 68.9 percent; for other agencies, the level is 55.8
percent.

**Performance Indicator 1.3\***

Of all individuals determined to have achieved an employment outcome,
the percentage that exit the VR program and enter into competitive,
self-, or BEP \[Business Enterprise Program\] employment with earnings
equivalent to at least the minimum wage.

**Required Performance Level:** For agencies serving individuals who are
blind, the level is 35.4 percent; for other agencies, the level is 72.6
percent.

**Performance Indicator 1.4\***

Of all individuals who exit the VR program and enter into competitive,
self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the
minimum wage, the percentage who are individuals with significant
disabilities.

**Required Performance Level:** For agencies serving individuals who are
blind, the level is 89.0 percent; for other agencies, the level is 62.4
percent.

**Performance Indicator 1.5\***

#### The average hourly earnings of all individuals who exit the VR program and enter into competitive, self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage as a ratio to the state's average hourly earnings for all individuals in the state who are employed (as derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on state average annual pay for the most recent available year, U.S. Department of Labor 2003). 

**Required Performance Level:** For agencies serving individuals who are
blind, the ratio is .59; for other agencies, the level is a ratio
of .52.

**Performance Indicator 1.6**

Of all individuals who exit the VR program and enter into competitive,
self-, or BEP employment with earnings equivalent to at least the
minimum wage, the difference between the percentage who report their own
income as the largest single source of economic support at the time they
exit the VR program and the percentage who report their own income as
the largest single source of support at the time they apply for VR
services.

**Required Performance Level:** For agencies serving individuals who are
blind, the level is an arithmetic difference of 30.4; for other
agencies, the level is an arithmetic difference of 53.0.

**Evaluation Standard 2** focuses on equal access to VR services by
individuals from a minority background. For purposes of this standard
the term \"individuals from a minority background\" means individuals
who report their race and ethnicity in any of the following categories:
American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Black or African American;
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; or Hispanic or Latino. For
this standard, there is only one indicator.

**Performance Indicator 2.1**

The service rate[^7] for all individuals with disabilities from minority
backgrounds as a ratio to the service rate for all individuals with
disabilities from nonminority backgrounds.

**Required Performance Level:** All agencies must attain at least a
ratio level of .80.

> If an agency had fewer than 100 individuals from a minority background
> exit the VR program during the reporting period, in lieu of
> calculating the required performance ratio the agency must describe
> the policies it has adopted or will adopt and the steps it has taken
> or will take to ensure that individuals with disabilities from
> minority backgrounds have equal access to VR services.

The following table depicts the aggregate performance of the 80 state VR
agencies for FY 2003 reporting period on the VR evaluation standards and
performance indicators.

+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| > [ |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ]{# |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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+=====+====================================+=====+=====+=====+=====+
| *   |                                    | *   |     | *   |     |
| *Pe |                                    | *Ge |     | *VR |     |
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+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| 1.1 |                                    | 30  | 26  | 12  | 12  |
| Cha |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| ^d^ |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| 1.2 |                                    | 37  | 19  | 14  | 10  |
| P   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| vis |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ion |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| of  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| VR  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| Se  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| rvi |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ces |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ^e^ |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| 1.3 |                                    | 54  | 2   | 22  | 2   |
| P   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| erc |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ent |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| age |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| of  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| E   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| mpl |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| oym |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ent |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| Emp |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| men |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| t^f |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ^\* |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| 1.4 |                                    | 55  | 1   | 23  | 1   |
| P   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| erc |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ent |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| age |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| of  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| ive |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| mpl |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| oym |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ent |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| mes |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| div |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| idu |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| als |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| W   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ith |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| Si  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| gni |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| fic |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ant |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| sab |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ili |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| tie |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| s^g |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ^\* |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| 1.5 |                                    | 39  | 14  | 21  | 3   |
| Ra  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| tio |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| of  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| kly |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| e^h |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ^\* |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| 1.6 |                                    | 46  | 10  | 18  | 6   |
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+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| *   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
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| erv |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ice |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| s** |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| Ra  |                                    | 47  |     | 9   |     |
| tio |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| of  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| .80 |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| Hig |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| her |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ^j^ |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| Ra  |                                    | 3   |     | 2   |     |
| tio |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| t   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| .80 |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| Fe  |                                    | 6   |     | 13  |     |
| wer |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| t   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| han |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| ckg |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| rou |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| nds |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| xit |                                    |     |     |     |     |
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| ^k^ |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
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| VR  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ag  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| enc |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ies |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| t   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| hat |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ser |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ved |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| fe  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| wer |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| t   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| han |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| 100 |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| in  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| div |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| idu |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| als |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| f   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| rom |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| mi  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| nor |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ity |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ba  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ckg |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| rou |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| nds |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| e   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| xit |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ing |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| the |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| VR  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| p   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| rog |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ram |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| do  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| not |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| h   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ave |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| to  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| m   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| eet |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| a   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| sp  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| eci |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| fic |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ra  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| tio |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| to  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| s   |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ati |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| sfy |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| st  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| and |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| ard |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| 2.  |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+
| **  | USED/RSA 2003a.                    |     |     |     |     |
| Sou |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| rce |                                    |     |     |     |     |
| :** |                                    |     |     |     |     |
+-----+------------------------------------+-----+-----+-----+-----+

For the FY 2003 reporting period, 71 agencies passed standard 1. The
nine agencies that failed Evaluation Standard 1 were two agencies that
serve individuals with visual impairments and blindness (Missouri and
New York) and seven agencies that serve either all disability
populations or disability populations other than individuals with visual
impairments (Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, Virginia,
and the United States Virgin Islands).

The following figure depicts overall agency performance for the fiscal
years 2002 and 2003 reporting periods with respect to Evaluation
Standard 1.

### ![](media/image3.wmf) Figure 2 Overall State VR Agency Performance for Evaluation Standard 1, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 {#figure-2-overall-state-vr-agency-performance-for-evaluation-standard-1-fiscal-years-2002-and-2003 .Figure-Heading}

**Source:** USED/RSA 2003b.

For the FY 2003 reporting period, 75 agencies either passed Evaluation
Standard 2 or had fewer than 100 individuals from a minority background
exiting the VR program. The five agencies that failed Evaluation
Standard 2 were two agencies that serve individuals with visual
impairments and blindness (New York and South Dakota) and three agencies
that serve either all disability populations or disability populations
other than individuals with visual impairments (Florida, Missouri, and
North Dakota).

A state-by-state breakdown of VR agency FY 2003 performance for both
evaluation standards is provided in Appendix A of this report.

Figure 3 on the next page depicts fiscal years 2002 and 2003 statistical
information on a variety of key indices for the VR program. In FY 2003,
nearly 664,000 individuals with disabilities applied for VR services. Of
this number, 539,134 individuals or 81 percent of the applicants were
determined eligible to participate in the VR program. Of the 539,134
individuals determined eligible for VR services, 481,011 or 89 percent
were individuals with significant disabilities. This represents a
decline from the 488,285 individuals with significant disabilities
determined eligible for VR services in FY 2002.

### ![](media/image11.wmf)Figure 3 VR Program Participants, New Applicants and Total Caseload, Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003 {#figure-3-vr-program-participants-new-applicants-and-total-caseload-fiscal-years-2002-and-2003 .Figure-Heading}

\*See footnote 4 on page 12.

**Source:** USED/RSA 2003b.

During FY 2003, 1.45 million individuals were involved in the public
vocational rehabilitation system. In that same year, approximately 90
percent of the individuals receiving services under an IPE were
individuals with significant disabilities.

### ![](media/image18.wmf) Figure 4 VR Program Participants Achieving Employment, Fiscal Years 1996--2003 {#figure-4-vr-program-participants-achieving-employment-fiscal-years-19962003 .Figure-Heading}

**Source:** USED/RSA 2003a.

Figure 4 above shows for each year between 1996 and 2003 the number of
individuals who achieved employment outcomes after receiving VR
services. The declines beginning in FY 2001 are judged to be the result
of several factors that have impacted the VR program. Some of these
contributing factors include:

-   The elimination in FY 2001 of extended employment[^8] as an
    allowable employment outcome under the VR program. Immediately prior
    to the date for the implementation of this new policy, state VR
    agencies reported that 7,359 persons had achieved an employment
    outcome in extended employment.

-   RSA policies raising the bar to stimulate VR agencies to serve
    individuals with significant disabilities, especially those with the
    most significant disabilities, and to focus efforts on assisting
    these individuals to achieve high-quality employment outcomes that
    are consistent with their aspirations and informed choices.

-   Reduction in state matching funds for VR federal funds and the
    difficulties experienced by several states in satisfying their
    maintenance of effort requirements.

-   VR agencies' implementation of an order of selection. Agencies
    operating under an order of selection must give priority to serving
    individuals with the most significant disabilities that is at a
    higher cost to the projects. Now 50 percent of all of the state VR
    agencies are functioning within the constraints of an order of
    selection with additional agencies contemplating the imposition of
    an order.

The success of individuals with significant disabilities achieving
employment outcomes is reflected in the data provided in table 2 on the
next page. The number of individuals with significant disabilities who
achieved employment after receiving VR services and exiting the VR
program increased each fiscal year from 1995 through 2001. While this
trend was halted in FY 2002 for the reasons cited above, the number of
individuals with significant disabilities as a percentage of all
individuals achieving employment outcomes has increased annually since
FY 1995. In that year, individuals with significant disabilities
represented just 76 percent of all individuals with disabilities who
obtained employment after receiving VR services. By FY 2003, nine out of
every 10 individuals who got jobs after receiving VR services were
individuals with significant disabilities.

+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| >  |                     |                     |                     |
|  [ |                     |                     |                     |
| ]{ |                     |                     |                     |
| #_ |                     |                     |                     |
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| g_ |                     |                     |                     |
| __ |                     |                     |                     |
| To |                     |                     |                     |
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| 51 |                     |                     |                     |
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| 19 |                     |                     |                     |
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| -- |                     |                     |                     |
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+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | **Individuals With\ | **Individuals       | **Percentage With\  |
| Fi | Significant         | Without Significant | Significant         |
| sc | Disabilities\***    | Disabilities**      | Disabilities**      |
| al |                     |                     |                     |
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| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 159,138             | 50,371              | 76.0                |
| 19 |                     |                     |                     |
| 95 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 165,686             | 47,834              | 77.6                |
| 19 |                     |                     |                     |
| 96 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 168,422             | 43,093              | 79.6                |
| 19 |                     |                     |                     |
| 97 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 184,651             | 38,957              | 82.6                |
| 19 |                     |                     |                     |
| 98 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 196,827             | 34,903              | 84.9                |
| 19 |                     |                     |                     |
| 99 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 205,444             | 30,699              | 87.0                |
| 20 |                     |                     |                     |
| 00 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 205,706             | 27,985              | 88.0                |
| 20 |                     |                     |                     |
| 01 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 196,286             | 24,799              | 88.8                |
| 20 |                     |                     |                     |
| 02 |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| ** | 195,787             | 21,770              | 90.0                |
| 20 |                     |                     |                     |
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| ** |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
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| lt |                     |                     |                     |
| ip |                     |                     |                     |
| le |                     |                     |                     |
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| el |                     |                     |                     |
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| ol |                     |                     |                     |
| og |                     |                     |                     |
| ic |                     |                     |                     |
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| de |                     |                     |                     |
| rs |                     |                     |                     |
|    |                     |                     |                     |
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| (i |                     |                     |                     |
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| lu |                     |                     |                     |
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| nd |                     |                     |                     |
| it |                     |                     |                     |
| io |                     |                     |                     |
| ns |                     |                     |                     |
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| lu |                     |                     |                     |
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| ng |                     |                     |                     |
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| ad |                     |                     |                     |
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| le |                     |                     |                     |
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| ic |                     |                     |                     |
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| il |                     |                     |                     |
| it |                     |                     |                     |
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| nd |                     |                     |                     |
| -s |                     |                     |                     |
| ta |                     |                     |                     |
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| or |                     |                     |                     |
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| no |                     |                     |                     |
| th |                     |                     |                     |
| er |                     |                     |                     |
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| ty |                     |                     |                     |
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| ti |                     |                     |                     |
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| de |                     |                     |                     |
| te |                     |                     |                     |
| rm |                     |                     |                     |
| in |                     |                     |                     |
| ed |                     |                     |                     |
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| he |                     |                     |                     |
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| as |                     |                     |                     |
| is |                     |                     |                     |
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| of |                     |                     |                     |
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| an |                     |                     |                     |
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| as |                     |                     |                     |
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| me |                     |                     |                     |
| nt |                     |                     |                     |
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|    |                     |                     |                     |
| vo |                     |                     |                     |
| ca |                     |                     |                     |
| ti |                     |                     |                     |
| on |                     |                     |                     |
| al |                     |                     |                     |
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| ha |                     |                     |                     |
| bi |                     |                     |                     |
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| ti |                     |                     |                     |
| on |                     |                     |                     |
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| ee |                     |                     |                     |
| ds |                     |                     |                     |
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|    |                     |                     |                     |
| to |                     |                     |                     |
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|  c |                     |                     |                     |
| au |                     |                     |                     |
| se |                     |                     |                     |
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| ar |                     |                     |                     |
| ab |                     |                     |                     |
| le |                     |                     |                     |
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| st |                     |                     |                     |
| an |                     |                     |                     |
| ti |                     |                     |                     |
| al |                     |                     |                     |
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|    |                     |                     |                     |
| fu |                     |                     |                     |
| nc |                     |                     |                     |
| ti |                     |                     |                     |
| on |                     |                     |                     |
| al |                     |                     |                     |
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| im |                     |                     |                     |
| it |                     |                     |                     |
| at |                     |                     |                     |
| io |                     |                     |                     |
| n. |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| *  |                     |                     |                     |
| *S |                     |                     |                     |
| ou |                     |                     |                     |
| rc |                     |                     |                     |
| e: |                     |                     |                     |
| ** |                     |                     |                     |
| US |                     |                     |                     |
| ED |                     |                     |                     |
| /R |                     |                     |                     |
| SA |                     |                     |                     |
| 20 |                     |                     |                     |
| 03 |                     |                     |                     |
| b. |                     |                     |                     |
+----+---------------------+---------------------+---------------------+

In addition, the number of individuals with disabilities achieving
competitive employment[^9] outcomes under the VR program has steadily
increased on an annual basis since the early 1990s. As figure 5 on the
next page shows, that trend has continued for the past three fiscal
years. While there was a slight decrease in overall competitive
employment outcomes in FY 2003, competitive employment outcomes for
individuals with significant disabilities increased for this time
period.

### ![](media/image19.wmf) Figure 5 VR Program Participants Achieving Competitive Employment,\* Fiscal Years 2001--03 {#figure-5-vr-program-participants-achieving-competitive-employment-fiscal-years-200103 .Figure-Heading}

\*See footnote 6 on page 16.

\*\*See footnote 4 on page 12.

**Source:** USED/RSA 2003b.

An important aspect of employment for anyone, particularly individuals
with disabilities, is employer-provided medical benefits. In FY 2003,
more than 132,000 individuals, of whom 121,000 were individuals with
significant disabilities, got competitive jobs with medical benefits.

A more detailed, state-by-state breakdown of statistical information
regarding the employment outcomes for VR program for FY 2003 is provided
in Appendix B of this report. Additional information is also available
by going to the RSA Web site at
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/research.html or calling the
State Monitoring and Improvement Division's Data Collection and Analysis
Unit at 202 245-7598.

######## **Program Assessment Rating Tool Results**

The VR program was one of the first programs in the Department to be
assessed using the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) (USED/RSA
2002). The program was formally reviewed in early FY 2003 and received
an overall rating of "Adequate." The PART assessment noted that the
longitudinal study of the VR program (RTI forthcoming, a) indicated the
program has been successful in achieving positive results (USED/RSA
2003c). Data from the longitudinal study showed benefits to program
participants, particularly in terms of improvements in employment and
earning status. Results from this study also indicated that VR consumers
remained employed over a sustained period of time.

The assessment pinpointed a number of areas needing improvement,
including the development of long-term goals and the use and timeliness
of performance data. The PART review noted that the VR program has
performance goals that focus on outcomes and meaningfully reflect the
purpose of the program, but they are not ambitious long-term performance
goals (USED/RSA 2003c). RSA then began the process of revising the
program's annual goals and adopting long-term performance goals. RSA
also developed a plan to review its programs with regard to the
development of program efficiency measures.

The PART assessment acknowledged that the agency regularly collects
credible performance information. RSA uses evaluation standards and
performance indicators to increase state accountability while monitoring
state programs and providing them with technical assistance. However,
the PART identified the following concerns in relation to the
performance data: (1) use of the performance data in managing the
overall program; (2) delays in the receipt and reporting of the data,
including its accessibility to the public; (3) wide variation in
individual state agency performance; and (4) use of the data to increase
federal accountability (USED/RSA 2003c).

RSA's weakness in using performance information to manage the overall
program has been, in large part, due to the fact that the data were not
timely. RSA is working to improve both the timeliness and accessibility
of the data. RSA has taken a number of steps to improve the timeliness
of its VR data and to promote the use of the data for program
improvement by RSA and the state VR agencies funded under this program.
Improving the timeliness of the data will enhance RSA's ability to use
its data for enhanced program management and monitoring. In addition to
posting the performance of state agencies on the program's standards and
indicators on the Department's Web site, RSA has developed detailed data
tables and outcome reports that are being used by both program staff and
state VR agencies to manage the program. In addition, RSA has revised
its VR program measures to address the wide variation in individual
state agency performance.

### Supported Employment Services Program

## Authorized Under Sections 621-628 of the Act Managed by the Program Administration Division of RSA {#authorized-under-sections-621-628-of-the-act-managed-by-the-program-administration-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Supported Employment Services program has proven to be one of the
most effective approaches in the rehabilitation of persons with the most
significant disabilities[^10] over the last decade. The program was
developed to assist in the transition of persons with mental retardation
and other developmental disabilities into a work setting through the use
of on-site job coaches and other supports. By federal regulation, state
VR agencies must provide ongoing support services needed by individuals
with the most significant disabilities to maintain supported employment.
Such supports may include monthly monitoring at the work site, from the
time of job placement until transition to extended services[^11].

Under the program, state VR agencies collaborate with appropriate public
and private nonprofit organizations to provide supported employment
services. State VR agencies provide eligible individuals time‑limited
services for a period not to exceed 18 months, unless a longer period to
achieve job stabilization has been established in the IPE. Once this
period has ended, the state VR agency must arrange for extended services
to be provided by other appropriate state agencies, private nonprofit
organizations or other sources for the duration of that employment.
Supported employment placements are achieved when the short-term VR
services are augmented with extended services by other public or
nonprofit agencies or organizations.

An individual's potential need for supported employment must be
considered as part of the assessment to determine eligibility for the VR
program. The requirements pertaining to individuals with an employment
goal of supported employment are the same in both the Title I VR program
and the Title VI-B Supported Employment Services Program. A state VR
agency may support an individual's supported employment services solely
with VR program (Title I) grant funds, or it may fund the cost of
supported employment services in whole or in part with Supported
Employment Services (Title VI-B) grant funds. Title VI-B supported
employment funds may only be used to provide supported employment
services and are essentially used to supplement Title I funds.

Data from the FY 2003 RSA Case Service Report (RSA 911) (USED/RSA 2003a)
show that a total of 37,679 individuals whose cases were closed that
year after receiving services had a goal of supported employment on
their individualized plan for employment at some time during their
participation in the VR Program. Almost half of those individuals (48.4
percent) received at least some support for their supported employment
services from Title VI-B funds. These numbers do not include those
individuals who were still receiving supported employment services at
the close of the fiscal year. As state VR agencies serve an increasing
number of individuals with the most significant disabilities, the number
of individuals receiving supported employment services will likely
continue to increase.

Approximately 22,940 individuals, or about 58 percent of the total
individuals with a supported employment goal (including those funded
solely by Title I and those who received some Title VI-B support),
achieved an employment outcome. Of those achieving an employment
outcome, 10,236 individuals received funding for supported employment
services solely under the Title I VR Program and 11, 700 received
partial funding for supported employment services through the Title I VR
Program with the remainder of their funding coming from the Title VI-B
supplement.

Individuals with an initial goal of supported employment may obtain a
supported employment outcome or they may obtain another employment
outcome. Fiscal year 2003 data show that 65.6 percent of 11,700
individuals receiving some funding for supported employment services
through the Title VI-B Program and achieving an employment outcome
obtained a supported employment outcome.

Some individuals who have an initial goal of supported employment
achieve an employment outcome other than a supported employment outcome.
Of those individuals receiving some funding for supported employment
services through the Title VI-B Program who obtained other types of
employment outcomes, 33.5 percent were employed in an integrated setting
without supports and less than 1 percent were self-employed, employed in
a state VR agency managed Business Enterprise Program, or were a
homemaker or unpaid family worker.

Individuals with a supported employment goal who achieve an employment
outcome may be working in competitive employment (employment at least at
the minimum wage in an integrated setting) or may be working in an
integrated setting in order to prepare for competitive work. The
*Government Performance Results Act* (*GPRA*) indicator for the
Supported Employment Services Program assesses the effectiveness of
state agency efforts to increase the number of individuals with the most
significant disabilities[^12] who have received supported employment
services to achieve competitive employment outcomes. In FY 2003, 92.7
percent of individuals with a supported employment goal, including
consumers who received support for supported employment services under
both Title I and Title VI-B, achieved a competitive employment outcome
in an integrated setting. Of those who obtained a supported employment
outcome, 90.5 percent were in competitive employment. In FY 2003, the
mean hourly wage for individuals with supported employment outcomes
closed in competitive employment was \$7.01.RSA is encouraging state
agencies to help individuals with the most significant disabilities in
supported employment to achieve these competitive employment outcomes.

### American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program

## Authorized Under Section 121 of the Act Managed by the Special Projects Division and The Program Administration Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-121-of-the-act-managed-by-the-special-projects-division-and-the-program-administration-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services (AIVRS) program
provides grants to governing bodies of Indian tribes to deliver VR
services to American Indians with disabilities that live on or near
federal or state reservations. The term "reservation" includes Indian
reservations, public domain Indian allotments, former Indian
reservations in Oklahoma, and land held by incorporated Native groups,
regional corporations and village corporations under the provisions of
the *Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act*.

Awards are made through competitive applications for a period of up to
five years to provide a broad range of VR services including, where
appropriate, services traditionally used by Indian tribes, designed to
assist American Indians with disabilities to prepare for and engage in
gainful employment. Applicants assure that the broad scope of
rehabilitation services provided shall be, to the maximum extent
feasible, comparable to the rehabilitation services provided by the
state VR agencies, and that efforts will be made to provide VR services
in a manner and at a level of quality comparable to those services
provided by the state agencies.

The AIVRS program is supported by funds reserved by the RSA commissioner
from funds allocated under Section 110, Title I, Part B of the act. As
table 3 shows, the program has grown in the last several years; this
growth was a result of increases in the minimum amount of funds required
to be reserved for the program (excluding peer review costs).

The number of grantees funded increased from 53 in FY 1999, to 69 in FY
2002 and remained at 69 in FY 2003. The funding for each award (both new
and continuations) also has increased. The average award size in FY 1999
was about \$325,300 and it was over \$411,500 in FY 2003, about a 26.5
percent increase. The existing projects that needed to recompete for the
grants often requested higher funding because of their ability to
effectively serve more individuals with disabilities. In addition, the
grant period was increased by the 1998 amendments from three years to
five years, providing more program stability. The evaluation of the
program has shown that experienced grantees are more efficient and
effective and continue to show improvements in their performance that
are significant.

As table 4 shows, the number of American Indians with disabilities who
achieved employment outcomes increased from 530 in FY 1997 to 1,452 in
FY 2003. In addition, of the American Indians with disabilities who
exited the program after receiving services, the percentage that
achieved employment outcomes increased from 57 percent in FY 1998 to 66
percent in FY 2003.

Technical assistance to the tribal VR projects is provided by a variety
of sources, including: RSA, state VR agencies, Regional Rehabilitation
Continuing Education Programs, NIDRR and its grantees, and the
capacity-building grantees funded under Section 21 of the act. The
tribal VR projects, for example, are building strong relationships with
the state VR agencies. These relationships, in turn, are promoting
cross-training where state VR agencies are providing the tribal VR staff
techniques of VR service delivery and the tribal project staff are
providing the state VR agencies' staff techniques on delivering VR
services designed for diverse cultures. As another example, the
technical assistance network sponsors annual conferences for the AIVRS
projects, focusing on training and networking. Other grantees funded
under the act participate in the conferences as both trainers and
learners, further promoting strong partnerships within the program and
among RSA grantees.

RSA continues to monitor tribal VR projects, but has changed its
monitoring strategy from the conduct of on-site reviews to the provision
of self-assessment tools designed to assist tribal projects to identify
issues and needs requiring training and technical assistance. In FY
1999, RSA awarded a grant for a two-year study (DAI 2003a) to initiate
the first comprehensive evaluation of the AIVRS program. The study was
designed to examine consumer characteristics, services provided,
outcomes and management of the AIVRS program. The study also compared
AIVRS program performance to the performance of the VR program.

The study results were published in a final report on Dec. 11, 2002.
Study findings are being used to assist RSA in evaluating program
performance and developing appropriate strategies for program
improvement. Also, RSA has awarded a contract to help the projects
implement the common measures and to devise methods to collect
employment information for individuals who are not included in the state
unemployment insurance (UI) data system.

### Demonstration and Training Programs

## Authorized Under Section 303 of the Act Managed by the Special Projects Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-303-of-the-act-managed-by-the-special-projects-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Demonstration and Training Programs provide funding through
competitive grants to, or contracts with, eligible entities to expand
and improve the provision of rehabilitation and other services
authorized under the act. The grants and contracts are to further the
purposes and policy of the act and to support activities that increase
the provision, extent, availability, scope and quality of rehabilitation
services under the act, including related research and evaluation
activities.

Sections 303(a), (c), and (d) of the act authorize demonstration
projects designed specifically to increase client choice in the
rehabilitation process, make information and training available to
parents of individuals with disabilities, and provide Braille training.

The programs that may be funded under Section 303(b) include special
projects and demonstrations of service delivery, model demonstrations,
technical assistance, systems change, special studies and evaluation,
and dissemination and utilization of project findings. Entities eligible
for grants under this section include state VR agencies, community
rehabilitation programs, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, or other
public or nonprofit agencies or organizations. Competitions may be
limited to one or more type of entity. The program supports projects for
up to 60 months. During that period, many projects provide comprehensive
services that may demonstrate the application of innovative procedures
leading to the successful achievement of employment outcomes.

Results of Section 303 (b) projects include strategies that enhance the
way rehabilitation services are delivered by community-based programs
and state VR agencies in meeting the needs of underserved populations or
underserved areas. Projects have been successful in creating intensive
outreach and rehabilitation support systems, including benefits
counseling, career development and job placement assistance.

Although special demonstration projects are of a diverse nature, the
objective for the majority of the projects funded is to provide
comprehensive services that lead to an employment outcome for
individuals with disabilities. One measure used to evaluate these
projects is the number of individuals served and the number of
individuals placed. This information for fiscal years 2001 through 2003
is shown in table 5 below.

+----------------+----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| > []{          |                |                 |                 |
| #__RefHeading_ |                |                 |                 |
| __Toc151531489 |                |                 |                 |
| >              |                |                 |                 |
|  .anchor}Table |                |                 |                 |
| > 5 Special    |                |                 |                 |
| >              |                |                 |                 |
|  Demonstration |                |                 |                 |
| > Programs     |                |                 |                 |
| > Outcome      |                |                 |                 |
| > Data, Fiscal |                |                 |                 |
| > Years        |                |                 |                 |
| > 2001--03     |                |                 |                 |
+----------------+----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **Fiscal       | **Number of    | **Served**      | **Placed**      |
| Year**         | Projects**     |                 |                 |
+----------------+----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **FY 2001**    | 45             | 8,247           | 1,635           |
+----------------+----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **FY 2002**    | 36             | 6,718           | 1,249           |
+----------------+----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **FY 2003**    | 47             | 11,769          | 3,744           |
+----------------+----------------+-----------------+-----------------+

**Source:** USED/RSA 2003e.

Thirty-three field-initiated grants were continued in FY 2003. These
projects are model demonstration grants reflecting diverse and
innovative approaches and methodologies that provide services for
individuals with disabilities that increase employment outcomes. The
projects focus on various priorities that include the provision of
affordable transportation for individuals with disabilities, services to
increase self-employment outcomes, increasing business ownership
opportunities for Native Americans with disabilities, and employment
opportunities with career advancement for individuals with disabilities
who are homeless or reside in supportive or subsidized housing.

Eleven systems-change grants were continued in FY 2003. These projects
are designed to identify and eliminate barriers to competitive
employment for individuals with disabilities who receive public support.

Three awards to technical assistance centers that reach out to persons
with disabilities, including Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics were continued in FY 2003
to provide technical assistance leading to employment opportunities,
vocational skills, and educational advancement.

Two Braille training grants received continuation funding. These
projects provide training to youths and adults who are blind and promote
capacity-building to service providers.

Seven parent information and training projects and the technical
assistance center that supports them received continuation grants. These
projects provide training and information to enable individuals with
disabilities and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates or
other authorized representatives of the individuals to participate more
effectively with professionals in meeting the vocational, independent
living, and rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities.

Congress also mandated the funding of 19 one-year earmarked projects.
The total amount allocated to these projects was \$4,013,740.

Twenty Access to Telework Program grants totaling \$19,799,429 were
awarded to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities
in the workforce through expanding telework opportunities by offering
alternative financial mechanisms, primarily financial loan programs.
Through this program, individuals with disabilities are able to obtain a
loan to purchase "computers and other equipment so that they can work as
an employee or contractor or to become self-employed on a full-time or
part-time basis from home or other remote sites." States are required to
match one dollar for every nine federal dollars received.

The Demonstration and Training Programs continued the use of the
Web-based performance report instrument in FY 2003 that was put into
place in FY 2000 to collect data from projects funded under Section 303
(b) of the act.

### Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Program 

## Authorized Under Section 304 of the Act Managed by the Special Projects Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-304-of-the-act-managed-by-the-special-projects-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers program makes comprehensive VR
services available to migrant and seasonal farmworkers with
disabilities. Projects under the program develop innovative methods for
reaching and serving this population. Emphasis is given in these
projects to outreach to migrant camps; to provide bilingual
rehabilitation counseling to this population; and to coordinate VR
services with services from other sources. Projects provide VR services
to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and to members of their families
when such services will contribute to the rehabilitation of the worker
with a disability.

The program is administered in coordination with other programs serving
migrant and seasonal farmworkers, including programs under Title I of
the *Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965*, Section 330 of the
*Public Health Service Act*, the *Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural
Worker Protection Act*, and *WIA*. In addition, RSA participates as a
member of the Federal Migrant Interagency Committee to share information
and develop strategies to improve the coordination and delivery of
services to this population.

Projects funded in FY 2003 trained migrant and seasonal farmworkers with
disabilities to develop other skills that can be applied outside the
agricultural area to increase their chances of entering new occupations.
In addition, funded projects worked directly with employers to create
opportunities for on-the-job training and job placement. The Case
Service Report (RSA 911) (USED/RSA 2003a) collects data on the number of
individuals whose cases are closed by state VR agencies during a
particular fiscal year. One element in the system reports on the number
of persons who also participated in a migrant or seasonal farmworker's
project at some time during their VR program. In FY 2003, 561 of those
whose cases were closed after receiving VR services were also
participants in projects funded under Section 304. Of this total, 369 or
roughly 66 percent achieved employment outcomes.

Projects under the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers program can also
provide services beyond the scope of vocational rehabilitation. In
addition to the 561 individual cases closed by the state VR program,
projects served a total of 2,831 individuals during FY 2003. For program
participants who wish to continue doing farmwork, but have medical or
other problems that prevent them from doing so, Section 304 grantees use
VR resources to provide them with medical and other services for a quick
return to work.

This population faces barriers of language, transportation, health,
culture and constant mobility so that the numbers of clients placed in
employment are not as high as in other programs. In delivering
comprehensive VR services, this program provides eligible consumers and
family members with a package of education, vocational and life-skills
training services in areas such as health and wellness, personal
finances, job preparation skills, and English as a second language.
These services have contributed significantly to the eventual attainment
of employment outcomes for participants.

  --------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
  []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531490                                       
  .anchor}Table 6 Migrant and                                           
  Seasonal Farmworkers Program:                                         
  Number of Grants, Fiscal Years                                        
  2000--03                                                              

  **Fiscal Year**                   **Continuation    **New Grants**    **Total Grants**
                                    Grants**                            

  **2000**                          10                4                 14

  **2001**                          11                4                 15

  **2002**                          11                4                 15

  **2003**                          13                1                 14
  --------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------

**Source:** USED/RSA 2003h.

### Projects With Industry

## Authorized Under Sections 611-612 of the Act Managed by the Special Projects Division of RSA {#authorized-under-sections-611-612-of-the-act-managed-by-the-special-projects-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Projects With Industry (PWI) Program creates and expands job and
career opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the
competitive labor market by engaging the participation of business and
industry in the VR process. PWI projects promote the involvement of
business and private industry through business advisory councils (BAC)
that identify jobs and careers available in the community and provide
advice on the appropriate skills and training for program participants.
BACs are required to identify job and career availability within the
community, consistent with the current and projected local employment
opportunities identified by the local workforce investment board for the
community under *WIA*.

PWI grants are made to a variety of agencies and organizations,
including businesses and industrial corporations, community
rehabilitation programs, labor organizations, trade associations, Indian
tribes, tribal organizations, designated state units and foundations.
Grants are awarded for either a 3- or 5-year period, and the federal
share may not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of a project. In
making awards under this program, the secretary considers the equitable
distribution of projects among the states.

PWI grantees must provide to RSA an annual evaluation of project
operations in accordance with established program evaluation standards
and performance indicators. Specifically, Appendix A to the program
regulations at 34 CFR 379 established seven standards to evaluate the
performance of a PWI grant.

> **Evaluation Standard 1**: The primary objective of the project must
> be to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain competitive
> employment. The activities carried out by the project must support the
> accomplishment of this objective.
>
> **Evaluation Standard 2**: The project must serve individuals with
> disabilities that impair their capacity to obtain competitive
> employment. In selecting persons to receive services, priority must be
> given to individuals with significant disabilities.
>
> **Evaluation Standard 3**: The project must ensure the provision of
> services that will assist in the placement of individuals with
> disabilities.
>
> **Evaluation Standard 4**: Funds must be used to achieve the project's
> primary objective at minimum cost to the federal government.
>
> **Evaluation Standard 5**: The project's advisory council must provide
> policy guidance and assistance in the conduct of the project.
>
> **Evaluation Standard 6**: Working relationships, including
> partnerships, must be established with agencies and organizations to
> expand the project's capacity to meet its objectives.
>
> **Evaluation Standard 7**: The project must obtain positive results in
> assisting individuals with disabilities to obtain competitive
> employment.

RSA also established five compliance indicators by which to measure the
effectiveness of individual grants found in the program regulations at
34 CFR 379.53. A grantee must meet the minimum performance levels on the
two "primary" program compliance indicators identified below and any two
of the three "secondary" compliance indicators identified below.

> **Compliance Indicator 1 (Primary)**: Placement rate. (A minimum of 54
> percent of individuals served by the project during FY 2003 must be
> placed into competitive employment.)
>
> **Compliance Indicator 2 (Primary)**: Change in earnings. (Based upon
> hours worked, projects must have an average increase in earnings of at
> least \$125 a week per individual placed in employment or \$100 per
> week for those projects in which at least 75 percent of individuals
> placed into competitive employment are working fewer than 30 hours per
> week.)
>
> **Compliance Indicator 3 (Secondary)**: Percent placed who have
> significant disabilities. (At least 50 percent of individuals served
> by the project who are placed into competitive employment are
> individuals who have significant disabilities.)
>
> **Compliance Indicator 4 (Secondary)**: Percent placed who were
> previously unemployed. (At least 50 percent of individuals who are
> placed into competitive employment are individuals who were
> continuously unemployed for at least six months at the time of project
> entry.)
>
> **Compliance Indicator 5 (Secondary)**: Average cost per placement.
> (The actual average cost per placement of individuals served by the
> project does not exceed 115 percent of the projected average cost per
> placement in the grantee's application.)

Three of the compliance indicators also serve as the program's measures
established pursuant to *GPRA*. These measures, including FY 2003
performance results based on the reports of the 95 grantees, are
provided below.

-   **Placement Rate** of individuals with disabilities into competitive
    employment. The placement rate for FY 2003 was 54 percent.

-   **Change in earnings** of individuals who are placed in competitive
    employment. In FY 2003, the change in earnings of individuals who
    were placed in competitive employment was an average of \$242 per
    week.

-   **Percentage of individuals served who were unemployed for six
    months or more** prior to program entry who are placed in
    competitive employment. In FY 2003, 65.5 percent of individuals
    served who were unemployed six months or more prior to program entry
    were placed in employment.

In order to receive continuation funding for the third and subsequent
years, PWI grantees must demonstrate compliance with the standards and
indicators with submissions of data for the most recent complete fiscal
year. If a grantee does not demonstrate compliance on the basis of the
previous fiscal year's data, the grantee has an opportunity to
demonstrate compliance with the standards by submitting data from the
first six months of the current fiscal year.

  ---------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------
  []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531491 .anchor}Table 7                 
  Projects With Industry Program Outcomes, Fiscal                 
  Years 2002 and 2003                                             

  **Fiscal Year**                                      **2002**   **2003**

  Total projects reporting                             99         95

  Total persons served (new each period)               11,270     10,099

  Persons served with significant disabilities         10,066     8,482

  Percentage served with significant disabilities      89%        84%

  Persons served who were unemployed 6 months or more  7,764      7,433

  Percentage served who were unemployed 6 months or    69%        74%
  more                                                            

  Total persons placed in employment                   7,124      5,478

  Percentage of total persons placed in employment     63%        54%

  Persons with significant disabilities placed in      6,247      4,792
  employment                                                      

  Percentage of total placed in employment who were    88%        88%
  individuals with significant disabilities                       

  Persons who were unemployed six months or more       5,024      4,017
  placed in employment                                            

  Percentage of total placed in employment who were    71 %       73%
  individuals unemployed six months or more                       

  Placement rate of individuals with significant       62%        57%
  disabilities                                                    

  Placement rate of individuals who were unemployed    65%        54%
  six months or more                                              

  **Source:** USED/RSA 2003f.                                     
  ---------------------------------------------------- ---------- ----------

Table 7 above presents selected performance information for the PWI
program for fiscal years 2002 and 2003. In FY 2003, PWI projects
reported that 84 percent of the 10,099 individuals served, and 88
percent of the 5,478 individuals placed, were individuals with
significant disabilities. In addition, 74 percent of the 10,099
individuals served and 73 percent of the 5,478 individuals placed had
been unemployed at least six months at the time of project entry. The
percentage of persons placed who have significant disabilities was 88
percent for both fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The percentage of persons
placed who were previously unemployed for at least six months at the
time of project entry increased in FY 2003.

In FY 2003, the percentage of individuals placed was significantly lower
than in recent years. About 28 percent of the projects that completed
their first year of operation placed less than 52 percent of the
individuals they served and did not pass the placement rate indicator.
Most of these projects improved their performance in the first six
months of FY 2004 and met the standards. However, seven projects did not
meet the minimally acceptable standards and were not continued. Due to
the fact that FY 2003 was the first reporting period for 77 projects,
many projects were in a start-up mode and were less productive than they
are anticipated to be in the remaining years of the grant award.

### Business Enterprise Program

## Authorized Under Section 103(b) of the Act Managed by the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-103b-of-the-act-managed-by-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) is authorized under Section 103(b)
of the act. Section 103(b) provides that VR services, when provided to
groups, can include management, supervision and other services to
improve businesses operated by significantly disabled individuals. Under
the BEP program, state VR agencies can use funds under the VR program to
support the Vending Facility Program, which is authorized under the
*Randolph-Sheppard Act*. The original intent of the *Randolph-Sheppard
Act* was to enhance employment opportunities for blind individuals who
are trained and licensed to operate vending facilities.

Supported by a combination of RSA program funds, state appropriations,
federal vending machine income, and levied set-asides from vendors, the
BEP provides persons who are blind with remunerative employment and
self-support through the operation of vending facilities on federal and
other property. The program recruits qualified individuals who are
blind, trains them on the management and operation of small business
enterprises, and then licenses qualified blind vendors to operate
the facilities.

At the outset, the program placed sundry stands in the lobbies of
federal office buildings and post offices selling such items as
newspapers, magazines, candies and tobacco products. Through the years,
the program has grown and broadened from federal locations to include
state, county, municipal and private installations as well as interstate
highway rest areas. Operations have also expanded to include military
mess halls, cafeterias, snack bars, miscellaneous shops and facilities
comprised of vending machines.

A primary focus of RSA is on increasing the number of vendors, the
number of facilities, and the average annual earnings of vendors. RSA
has established standards and performance indicators to encourage state
agencies to increase average earnings of individuals in the program with
data to be reported for the FY 2005 program year.

The data contained in table 8 below were obtained from the Report of
Vending Facility Program (RSA-15) for FY 2003. The total gross income
for the program was \$475.9 million in FY 2003 compared to \$453.6
million in FY 2002, a 4.9 percent increase. The total earnings of all
vendors were \$98.7 million in FY 2003 and \$96.8 million in FY 2002, an
increase of 1.9 percent. The national average annual earnings of vendors
increased 2.2 percent to \$38,147 in FY 2003 from \$37,323 the previous
year. The number of vendors in FY 2003 was 2,631 compared to 2,681 in FY
2002, a decrease of 51 operators. There were 3,119 vending facilities in
FY 2003 and 3,129 the previous year, a decrease of 10 facilities.

+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531492 |                |                |
| > .anchor}Table 8 Business        |                |                |
| > Enterprise Program Outcomes,    |                |                |
| > Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003      |                |                |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
|                                   | **2002**       | **2003**       |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| **Income and Earnings**           |                |                |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Gross Income^a^                 | \$453,639,203  | \$475,886,540  |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Vendor Earnings                 | \$96,824,362   | \$98,694,278   |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Average Earnings^b^             | \$37,323       | \$38,147       |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| **Number of Vendors**             |                |                |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Federal Locations               | 912            | 905            |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Non-federal Locations           | 1,769          | 1,726          |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Total Vendors                   | 2,681          | 2,631          |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| **Number of Vending Facilities**  |                |                |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Federal Locations               | 1,097          | 1,096          |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Non-federal Locations           | 2,032          | 2,023          |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| > Total Facilities                | 3,129          | 3,119          |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| ^a\ Gross\ in                     |                |                |
| come\ is\ the\ total\ amount\ of\ |                |                |
|  money\ received\ from\ consumers |                |                |
| \ for\ goods\ and\ services\ sold |                |                |
| \ and\ vending\ machine\ income.^ |                |                |
|                                   |                |                |
| ^b\ Average\ ear                  |                |                |
| nings\ equals\ total\ vendor\ ear |                |                |
| nings\ divided\ by\ total\ number |                |                |
| \ of\ vendor\ person-years\ which |                |                |
| \ is\ computed\ by\ adding\ the\  |                |                |
| number\ of\ months\ each\ vendor\ |                |                |
|  worked\ (disregarding\ fractions |                |                |
| \ of\ a\ month\ of\ two\ weeks\ o |                |                |
| r\ less)\ and\ dividing\ by\ 12.^ |                |                |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+
| **Source:** USED/RSA 2003g.       |                |                |
+-----------------------------------+----------------+----------------+

## Independent Living and Community Integration

The purpose of the independent living (IL) programs authorized by Title
VII of the act is to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence
and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and to integrate
these individuals into the mainstream of American society. Title VII
authorizes financial assistance to provide, expand and improve
independent living services; to develop and support statewide networks
of centers for independent living; and to improve working relationships
among state IL programs, centers for independent living, statewide
independent living councils, other programs authorized by the act, and
other federal, state, local and nongovernmental programs.

### Independent Living Services Program

## Authorized Under Title VII, Chapter I, Part B of the Act Managed by the Special Projects Division of RSA {#authorized-under-title-vii-chapter-i-part-b-of-the-act-managed-by-the-special-projects-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The State Independent Living Services (SILS) program provides formula
grants, based on population, to states for the purpose of funding,
directly and/or through grant or contractual arrangements, one or more
of the following activities:

1.  Supporting the operation of Statewide Independent Living Councils;

2.  Demonstrating ways to expand and improve IL services;

3.  Providing IL services;

4.  Supporting the operation of centers for independent living;

5.  Increasing the capacity of public or nonprofit organizations and
    other entities to develop comprehensive approaches or systems for
    providing IL services;

6.  Conducting studies and analyses, developing model policies and
    procedures, and presenting information, approaches, strategies,
    findings, conclusions and recommendations to federal, state and
    local policymakers;

7.  Training service providers and individuals with disabilities on the
    IL philosophy; and

8.  Providing outreach to populations that are unserved or underserved
    by IL programs, including minority groups and urban and rural
    populations.

To be eligible for financial assistance, states are required to
establish a Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) and to submit a
state plan for IL jointly developed and signed by the chairperson of the
SILC and the director of the designated state VR unit.

### Centers for Independent Living Program

## Authorized Under Title VII, Chapter I, Part C of the Act Managed by the Special Projects Division of RSA {#authorized-under-title-vii-chapter-i-part-c-of-the-act-managed-by-the-special-projects-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Centers for Independent Living (CIL) program provides grants to
consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability,[^13]
nonresidential private nonprofit agencies for the provision of
independent living services. At a minimum, centers funded by the program
are required to provide the following four independent living core
services: information and referral; independent living skills training;
peer counseling; and individual and systems advocacy. Centers also may
provide, among other services: psychological counseling, assistance in
securing housing or shelter, personal assistance services,
transportation referral and assistance, physical therapy, mobility
training, rehabilitation technology, recreation and other services
necessary to improve the ability of individuals with significant
disabilities to function independently in the family or community and/or
to continue in employment.

The act establishes a set of standards and assurances that eligible
centers are required to meet. To continue receiving CIL program funding,
centers must demonstrate minimum compliance with the following
evaluation standards: promotion of the independent living philosophy,
including consumer control and equal access; provision of independent
living services on a cross-disability basis; support for the development
and achievement of independent living goals chosen by the consumer;
efforts to increase the availability and quality of community options
for independent living; provision of independent living core services;
resource development activities to secure other funding sources; and
community capacity-building activities, including community advocacy,
technical assistance and outreach.

A population-based formula determines the total funding available for
discretionary grants to centers in each state. Subject to the
availability of appropriations, the RSA commissioner is required to fund
centers that existed as of FY 1997 at the same level of funding they
received the prior fiscal year and to provide them a cost-of-living
increase. Funding for new centers in a state is awarded on a competitive
basis, based on the state's priority designation of unserved or
underserved areas and the availability of funds within the state. In FY
2003, there were 323 centers for independent living receiving funds
under this program operating nationwide.

### Independent Living Services For Older Individuals Who are Blind

## Authorized Under Title VII, Chapter 2 Managed By the Special Projects Division {#authorized-under-title-vii-chapter-2-managed-by-the-special-projects-division .Heading-3}

The Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind
Program delivers IL services to individuals who are 55 years of age or
older, and whose significant visual impairment makes competitive
employment extremely difficult to attain, but for whom IL goals are
feasible. The services the program delivers are designed to improve the
ability of older individuals who are blind to maintain a desired level
of personal independence. The program includes services designed to
assist an older individual who is blind in coping with activities of
daily living and that help correct vision loss. It provides adaptive
aids and services; orientation and mobility training; training in
communication skills; Braille instruction; information and referral
services; peer counseling; and individual advocacy training.

The act provides that in any fiscal year in which appropriations to this
program exceed \$13 million dollars, grants to state agencies for the
blind or, in states that have no such agency, to state VR agencies will
be made on a formula basis rather than on a discretionary basis. Grants
have been made on a formula basis since FY 2000. States participating in
this program must match every \$9 of federal funds with \$1 in
nonfederal cash or in-kind resources in the year for which the federal
funds are appropriated.

The program experienced an increase in federal funding from \$25,000,000
in FY 2002 to \$27,818,000 in FY 2003, indicating steady growth since
becoming a formula program. This increasing support of the Title VII,
Chapter 2 program leads to sustainability of the state-operated programs
nationwide, and builds the capacity of states to address the vastly
growing numbers of older individuals with blindness and visual
impairment. Approximately one in six older individuals over the age of
65 experience age-related vision loss. In FY 2003, 62,019 older
individuals nationwide benefited from the independent living services
provided through this program, an increase of 1,980 persons over FY
2002. The average overall nonfederal support per state program in FY
2003 was approximately \$217,111, a decrease from \$252,192 in FY 2002.
The program continued to see an increase in services delivered by state
programs to consumers that have other severe or multiple disabilities in
addition to a significant visual impairment. States reported that in
fiscal years 2002 and 2003, 56 percent of all consumers served under the
Title VII, Chapter 2 program were 80 years of age and older.

### Recreational Programs 

## Authorized Under Section 305 of the Act Managed by the Special Projects Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-305-of-the-act-managed-by-the-special-projects-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Recreational Programs provide recreation and related activities for
individuals with disabilities to aid in their employment, mobility,
independence, socialization and community integration. Projects are
designed to promote the development of social skills that are necessary
in order to integrate individuals with disabilities into the community.
Successful integration can greatly benefit an individual with a
disability by developing skills, building self-esteem and reducing
social barriers that can prevent the individual from seeking employment
in settings where there may not be any individuals with apparent
disabilities. Individuals without disabilities also benefit from
integrated recreational activities through opportunities to learn about
the abilities that individuals with disabilities possess.

The program awards discretionary grants on a competitive basis to
states, public agencies and nonprofit private organizations, including
institutions of higher education. Projects funded under this program
must provide recreational activities for individuals with disabilities
in settings with peers without disabilities when possible and
appropriate.

Grants are available for periods of up to three years. The federal share
of the costs of the Recreational Programs is 100 percent for the first
year, 75 percent for the second year and 50 percent for the third.
Projects funded under this program authority are required to provide a
nonfederal match (cash or in-kind contribution or both) for year 2, at
25 percent of year 1 federal funding; and for year 3, at 50 percent of
year 1 federal funding.

Grantees must demonstrate in their applications the manner in which the
program will be continued after federal funding has ended. Some
recreational programs continue for lengthy periods of time after federal
funding ends by relying on other funding sources. By the end of FY 2003,
the Department collected data on projects that ended within the past
three years to assess whether these projects have sustained operation
since federal funding ceased. By the end of FY 2003, of the 24 projects
that were closed since FY 2001, 19 or 83 percent have continued in
operation after federal funding ended.

+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| > [             |                 |                 |                 |
| ]{#__RefHeading |                 |                 |                 |
| ___Toc151531493 |                 |                 |                 |
| > .anchor}Table |                 |                 |                 |
| > 9             |                 |                 |                 |
| > Recreational  |                 |                 |                 |
| > Programs:     |                 |                 |                 |
| > Number of     |                 |                 |                 |
| > Grants,       |                 |                 |                 |
| > Fiscal Years  |                 |                 |                 |
| > 2001--03      |                 |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **Fiscal Year** | **              | **New**         | **Total**       |
|                 | Continuations** |                 |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **2001**        | 18              | 6               | 24              |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **2002**        | 15              | 10              | 25              |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| **2003**        | 16              | 8               | 24              |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+

**Source:** USED/RSA 2003h.

One example of the type of projects funded in FY 2003 that is still in
operation is Project PRIDE --- Promoting Recreation for Independence,
Diversity and Employment. It was funded by a grant awarded to Class LTD
located in Columbus, Kan. The project goal is to increase the inclusion
of individuals with developmental disabilities in community recreation
and leisure activities in order for them to have fun, meet new friends,
and develop independent living skills and competencies. Class LTD is a
nonprofit community disability service provider that anticipated Project
PRIDE would serve approximately 61 percent of the individuals with
developmental and other disabilities who receive community living,
community employment, and day activity supports and services from Class
LTD. The project began with a retreat that was very successful in
bringing together great supporters and creative minds to develop ideas
and form partnerships. Many of the retreat attendees volunteered to
become members of the project's advisory council and immediately began
implementing their suggestions.

One of the suggestions adopted addressed the need to get away from the
overused "mentors and volunteers concept" and try to promote friendships
by referring to the helpers as "PRIDE PALS." The new public service
announcements used the idea, saying, "Be A Positive Force In Someone's
Life...Be A PRIDE PAL." Friendships were evidenced early among
participants. One PRIDE PAL took his pal to a radio station so that he
could experience his dream of going on the air. The pal took to the
microphone so naturally that he has been invited back to the radio
station on a regular basis to develop his skills. Another pal
experienced her love for the game of basketball when her PRIDE PAL
introduced her to the local ladies basketball team. The team took the
pal under their wings and had a special day for her, which included a
visit to the ladies' locker room, presenting her with an autographed
t-shirt, posing with the team for pictures, and viewing the game from
behind the team bench. These experiences built up the pal's social
skills, self-confidence and social acceptance in the community.

Another project funded in FY 2003 was located at the University of New
Hampshire entitled PARTNERS: Promoting Accessible Recreation Through
Networking, Education Resources and Services. The project goal was to
promote socialization, mobility, independence and community integration
while introducing individuals with severe physical disabilities to
employment opportunities in the recreation industry. The PARTNERS
project is a collaborative effort among members of the public and
private recreation industry. It focuses on both the individual and the
environment. The focus on the individual is to enable individuals with
severe disabilities to acquire leisure skills, mobility skills,
knowledge of resources and adaptive equipment, and decisionmaking skills
so that they are better equipped to take independent action and enhance
their self-determination. The focus on the environment is to promote the
development of inclusionary environments by the public and private
recreation industry and their receptivity and competence in sustaining
services for persons with physical disabilities.

For example, through the PARTNERS rental program, participants have been
able to rent equipment that PARTNERS has helped adapt for water skiers,
hand cyclists and hockey skaters. The participants were able to apply
the rental fee toward the purchase of the already adapted equipment thus
allowing them not only to use the adapted equipment but also to own it
ultimately and thereby demonstrate their greater independence, mobility,
socialization and community integration. These skills then can be
transferred to all aspects of their daily living so that they can live
more independently, play more independently, have more choices about
what they want to do, expand the skills they are learning, and explore
more areas of interest so that they can keep increasing their
independence and integration into the community.

These projects and others funded under the Recreational Programs are
helping individuals with disabilities to develop job-seeking, mobility
and other important life skills.

## Technical Assistance, Training and Support

RSA operates and provides funding for a number of programs that support
the central work of the VR program. These support programs frequently
are discretionary programs that have been established to provide funding
to address new and emerging needs of individuals with disabilities. They
may, for example, provide technical assistance for more efficient
management of service provision, open opportunities for previously
underserved populations, initiate partnerships with the business
community, and help establish an atmosphere of independence and
self-confidence among individuals with disabilities that foster
competitive employment. They include training efforts designed to
qualify new personnel and expand the knowledge and skills of current
professionals through recurrent training, continuing education and
professional development.

### Program Improvement

## Authorized Under Section 12 of the Act Managed by the Office of the Commissioner of RSA {#authorized-under-section-12-of-the-act-managed-by-the-office-of-the-commissioner-of-rsa .Heading-3}

Program Improvement funds allocated under Section 12 are used to support
activities that increase program effectiveness, improve accountability,
and enhance the agency's ability to address issues of national
significance in achieving the purposes of the act. Program funds are
awarded through grants and contracts and may be used to procure
expertise to provide short-term training and technical instruction;
conduct special projects and demonstrations; collect, prepare, publish
and disseminate special educational or information materials; and carry
out monitoring and evaluation activities.

Under this section of the act, the RSA commissioner is authorized to
provide technical assistance and consultative services to public and
nonprofit private agencies and organizations, including assistance to
enable such agencies and organizations to facilitate meaningful and
effective participation by individuals with disabilities in workforce
investment activities.

Since FY 1997, technical assistance funds have supported the National
Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center (NVRTAC) that
arranges for the provision of technical assistance to state VR agencies
and other grantees providing services under the act. Funds are used to
support technical assistance projects through task ordering agreements
consistent with priorities established by the commissioner. These
projects have strengthened RSA's efforts to assist states to improve
consumer services and outcomes consistent with national priorities and
program performance standards and goals. Examples of projects and
activities carried out through the NVRTAC in FY 2003 are provided below:

-   *Training on \"Ticket-to-Work\" Program*: support for the second in
    a series of three national training sessions to provide staff from
    states where the Ticket-To-Work Program has yet to be implemented
    with the opportunity to learn from the experiences of states that
    are already participating in the Ticket program.

-   *National Leadership Summit*: support for the National Leadership
    Summit on Improving Results to build the capacity to improve
    postsecondary outcomes for youths with disabilities.

-   *New England Customer Quality Assurance Survey*: development of a
    uniform quality assurance data collection survey for a consortium of
    New England state VR agencies. The survey is designed to provide
    timely, consistent information to VR state agencies and state
    policymakers for purposes of program evaluation and improvement.

-   *Building Careers in Design:* technical assistance, professional
    guidance and education in the area of career development in the
    design professions. Through this project, VR counselors will gain
    the skills and resources needed to advise and support people with
    disabilities to engage in rewarding careers in design.

-   *Freedom for the Blind*: supporting the printing and distribution of
    the monograph by the same name, which was produced through a prior
    technical assistance engagement. Written for blind persons or
    rehabilitation professionals who work with blind individuals or do
    research on issues related to blindness in the workplace, this piece
    provides a nontraditional perspective on the methods and issues that
    a truly successful employment program for the blind should embrace.

### Capacity-building for Traditionally Underserved Populations

## Authorized Under Section 21 of the Act Managed by the Resource Development Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-21-of-the-act-managed-by-the-resource-development-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

Section 21 of the act requires RSA and NIDRR to conduct outreach
activities to individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds.
In order to implement this mandate, RSA and NIDRR must reserve 1 percent
of funds appropriated each for programs under Titles II, III, VI, and
VII to make awards to provide outreach and technical assistance to
minority entities and American Indian tribes and to make awards to
minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out activities under the
act. In FY 2003, \$2,445,262 was reserved from programs administered by
RSA under Titles III, VI, and VII.

The 1998 amendments define a "minority entity" as "a historically Black
college or university, a Hispanic-serving institution of higher
education, an American Indian tribal college or university, and/or
another institution of higher learning whose minority student enrollment
is at least 50 percent."

Capacity-building projects are designed to expand the service-providing
capabilities of these entities and increase their participation in
activities funded under the act. Training and technical assistance
activities funded under the act may include training on the mission of
RSA, RSA-funded programs, disability legislation, and other pertinent
subjects, thus helping to increase awareness of RSA and its programs.

In FY 2003, RSA awarded 11 continuation grants under the RSA
rehabilitation capacity-building program. One grant was awarded to a
Hispanic-serving institution of higher education under the
Capacity-building Community Rehabilitation Program area: two were
awarded to historically Black universities to establish new
rehabilitation training programs; and eight were awarded in the in the
area of Capacity-Building and Outreach to Minority Entities of which
three were minority institutions of higher education and one a
minority-owned organization.

Also, one supplement was awarded to a capacity-building project in FY
2003 to sponsor training workshops and traineeships at the annual
conference of the National Association on Multicultural and
Rehabilitation Concerns Conference. Forty persons were sponsored to
attend and participate in workshops focusing on vocational
rehabilitation and independent living programs. Finally, RSA transferred
\$110,000 to NIDRR to continue to carry out The Leadership Initiative, a
joint initiative with the Howard University Rehabilitation Research and
Training Center and the Rocky Mountain Technical ADA & IT Center.

### Rehabilitation Training Program

## Authorized Under Section 302 of the Act Managed by the Resource Development Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-302-of-the-act-managed-by-the-resource-development-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The purpose of the Rehabilitation Training program, also known as the
RSA training program, is to ensure that skilled personnel are available
to serve the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities
assisted through VR, supported employment and independent living
programs. To that end, the program supports training and related
activities designed to increase the number of qualified personnel
trained in providing rehabilitation services.

Grants and contracts under this program authority are awarded to states
and public and nonprofit agencies and organizations, including
institutions of higher education, to pay all or part of the cost of
conducting training programs. Awards can be made in any of 31 long-term
training fields, in addition to the areas of continuing education,
short-term training, experimental and innovative training and training
interpreters for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and persons who
are deaf-blind. These training programs vary in terms of content,
methodology and audience.

The long-term training program supports academic training grants that
must direct at least 75 percent of the funds to trainee scholarships.
The statute requires trainees who receive assistance either to work two
years for every year of assistance in public or private nonprofit
rehabilitation agencies or related agencies, including professional
corporations or professional practice groups that have service
arrangements with a state agency, or to pay back the assistance they
received. Grant recipients under the long-term training program are
required to build closer relationships between training institutions and
state VR agencies; promote careers in VR; identify potential employers
who would meet the trainees' payback requirements; and assure that data
on the employment of students are accurate.

Training of statewide workforce systems personnel is authorized under
this program, and may be jointly funded with the Department of Labor.
Statewide workforce systems personnel may be trained in evaluative
skills to determine whether an individual with a disability may be
served by the VR program, or another component of the statewide
workforce system.

Of the funds appropriated for the Rehabilitation Training Program, at
least 15 percent must be used to support in-service training. In-service
training is intended to assist state VR agencies in the training of
their staff consistent with the state's Comprehensive System of
Personnel Development (CSPD).

Under Title I of the act, each state is required to establish procedures
to ensure there is an adequate supply of qualified staff for the state
agency, assess personnel needs and make projections for future needs and
address current and projected personnel training needs. States are
further required to develop and maintain policies and procedures for
job-specific personnel standards that are consistent with national or
state-approved certification, licensure, registration requirements, or,
in the absence of these requirements, other state personnel requirements
for comparable positions. If a state's current personnel do not meet the
highest requirements for personnel standards within the state, the CSPD
must identify the steps the state will take to upgrade the
qualifications of their staff, through retraining or hiring. Funds under
the VR program also may be used to comply with these requirements.

In FY 2003 RSA awarded over \$5 million in CSPD continuation grants to
help retrain VR counselors to comply with the state degree standard.
During FY 2003 the Rehabilitation Training Program made 79 in-service
training awards to state VR agencies totaling \$5.9 million to assist
efforts to train VR staff nationwide. The Rehabilitation Training
Program continued to play a critical role in helping state VR agencies
develop and implement their CSPD standards for hiring and training
qualified rehabilitation professionals in their respective states.

The RSA training program is very active in leading universities and
state VR agencies in an effort to increase the pool of qualified VR
counselors available to state agencies. As large numbers of existing
counselors are reaching retirement age, the RSA training program is
targeting more of its resources toward preservice counselor training to
expand the pool of potential candidates. The Rehabilitation Training
Program provided both leadership and assistance to the national
initiative effort to develop Rehabilitation Professional Recruitment
Plans in RSA regions to recruit students into rehabilitation counselor
training programs, and to recruit graduates of these training programs
into state VR agencies.

In FY 2003, the program sponsored the annual conference of educators and
state agencies to discuss human resource issues and solutions. Program
managers also meet regularly with educators, accrediting bodies and
state agencies to develop and implement effective strategies for
increasing the recruitment pool for state VR agencies.

The allocation of rehabilitation training grant funds for FY 2003 is
shown in table 10 on the following page. While there is no data on those
participating and those completing training broken down by specific
area, the long-term training program had a total of 802 scholars who
graduated in FY 2003. The percentage of FY 2003 graduates fulfilling
their payback requirement through acceptable employment is 82 percent.
When compared to last year's annual report (USED/RSA 2006), the table
reflects a shift in funding of programs designed to meet the critical
need of training current and new counselors to meet the needs of state
agencies as retirement rates increase.

+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > []{#__R                |                     |                     |
| efHeading___Toc151531494 |                     |                     |
| > .anchor}Table 10       |                     |                     |
| > Rehabilitation         |                     |                     |
| > Training Projects:     |                     |                     |
| > Numbers and Funding    |                     |                     |
| > Amounts, by Type of    |                     |                     |
| > Project, Fiscal Year   |                     |                     |
| > 2003                   |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
|                          | **Number of New and | **Grant Amount      |
|                          | Continuing Grant    | (\$)**              |
|                          | Awards**            |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| **Long-Term Training**   |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Medical Rehabilitation | 1                   | 62,642              |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Rehabilitation         | 70                  | 7,756,804           |
| > Counseling             |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Rehabilitation         | 4                   | 399,933             |
| > Administration         |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Rehabilitation         | 4                   | 399,923             |
| > Engineer               |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Vocational Evaluation  | 8                   | 789,698             |
| > & Adjustment           |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Rehabilitation of      | 7                   | 699,922             |
| > Mentally Ill           |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Rehabilitation         | 2                   | 199,970             |
| > Psychology             |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Undergraduate          | 20                  | 1,402,725           |
| > Education              |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Rehabilitation-of-the  | 13                  | 1,297,981           |
| > Blind                  |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Rehabilitation-of-the  | 13                  | 1,229,288           |
| > Deaf                   |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Job                    | 9                   | 891,925             |
| > Development/Placement  |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > CSPD Priority          | 14                  | 2,864,137           |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| *Long-Term Training      | *165*               | *\$17,994,948*      |
| Totals*                  |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| **Other Training**       |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Short-Term Training    | 2                   | 464,992             |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Continuing Education   | 3                   | 299,959             |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > In-Service Training    | 79                  | 5,872,502           |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Interpreter Training   | 12                  | 2,104,785           |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Experimental &         | 3                   | 299,959             |
| > Innovative             |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > Clearinghouse          | 1                   | 300,000             |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| > RRCEP: General & CRP   | 21                  | 9,662,902           |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| **TOTALS**               | **286**             | **\$37,000,047**    |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
| **Source:** USED/RSA     |                     |                     |
| 2003h.                   |                     |                     |
+--------------------------+---------------------+---------------------+

##### Institute on Rehabilitation Issues

Finally, the RSA training program supports the Institute on
Rehabilitation Issues (IRI), an annual activity that funds the
University of Arkansas and George Washington University to coordinate
two separate study groups composed of experts from all facets of the VR
program, who come together to discuss and debate contemporary VR service
delivery challenges, and then to develop and disseminate publications
that are used in training VR professionals, and as a technical
assistance resource for other stakeholders in the VR program. For 56
years, the IRI has served to solidify the unique partnership between the
federal and state governments, the university training programs and
persons served by the VR agencies. One publication was published during
FY 2003: *Distance Education: Opportunities and Issues for the Public
Vocational Rehabilitation Program* (IRI 2003) from the 28th IRI in FY
2001. During FY 2003, RSA began providing individuals with the
opportunity for receiving continuing education credits through the
completion of a questionnaire based on the content of an IRI
publication. These credits may then be used in partial fulfillment of
the certified rehabilitation counselor continuing education
requirements.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **IRI Topics Studied During FY 2003**                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| -   A New Paradigm for Vocational Evaluation: Empowering the VR       |
|     Consumer through Vocational Information                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   Innovative Methods for Providing VR Services to Individuals with  |
|     Psychiatric Disabilities                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

## Evaluation, Research and Information Dissemination

To improve the delivery of services to individuals with disabilities,
the act requires the distribution of practical and scientific
information regarding state-of-the-art practices, scientific
breakthroughs and new knowledge regarding disabilities. To address those
requirements, RSA funds and promotes a variety of research and
demonstration programs, training programs and a range of information
dissemination projects designed to generate and make available critical
data and information to appropriate audiences.

### Program Evaluation

## Authorized Under Section 14 of the Act Managed by the Office of the Commissioner of RSA and the Planning, Policy and Evaluation Service of RSA {#authorized-under-section-14-of-the-act-managed-by-the-office-of-the-commissioner-of-rsa-and-the-planning-policy-and-evaluation-service-of-rsa .Heading-3}

Section 14 mandates that RSA evaluate all programs authorized by the act
using appropriate methodology and evaluative research design. The
purpose of this mandate is to evaluate program effectiveness in relation
to cost, impact on related programs and structure and mechanisms for
delivery of services. The act further requires that standards be
established and used for evaluations and that evaluations be conducted
by individuals who are not immediately involved in the administration of
the program or project to be evaluated. RSA relies significantly on
evaluation studies to obtain information on the operations and effects
of the programs it administers and to help make judgments about the
programs' levels of success and decisions on how to improve them.

RSA continued to fund four existing studies:

-   ***Evaluation of Literacy Demonstration Projects: A Design Study***
    (DAI 2003b):

The study's purpose is to design an evaluation of projects that will
test the use of literacy interventions to enhance the literacy levels,
postsecondary education participation and earnings of VR consumers who
have low levels of literacy and who can profit from the interventions.
The study contractor will also provide technical assistance to grantees
to prepare them for a subsequent external evaluation after grants are
awarded. The evaluation design was completed and a five-year contract
was awarded in FY 2004 to evaluate these projects.

-   ***Variables Related to State VR Agency Performance*** (RTI
    forthcoming, a):

The purpose of this study is to identify variables related to state VR
agency performance on Evaluation Standard 1, Employment Outcomes. This
two-year study was initiated in FY 2002. The main purpose of the study
is to determine which factors influence state VR agency performance on
that standard so the state VR agencies can be assisted to improve their
performance.

-   ***An Evaluation of the Florida Privatization Initiative*** (RTI
    forthcoming, b):

The state is testing in several local workforce regions a privatized
model of service delivery. The study will describe the early
implementation of the Florida privatized service delivery model, and it
will also document the lessons to be learned about the successes and
difficulties in transitioning to a privatized service delivery model.
The study was initiated in FY 2001 but later interrupted while the state
reorganized its privatization effort.

-   ***Providing Technical Support for Reauthorization Issues and
    Standards and Indicators*** (RTI, forthcoming, c):

> This project is designed to respond to requests for data information
> and to provide policy analyses related to the reauthorization of the
> act, and also to support current and new evaluation standards and
> indicators authorized by the act. This activity was initiated in FY
> 2002 and it is a two-year contract with an option to extend a year
> that RSA has exercised.

Three new studies were initiated in FY 2003:

-   ***Support for Analyzing Data, Completing Reports and Providing
    Technical Assistance on Longitudinal Study Database*** (RTI,
    forthcoming, d):

This is a two-year contract with an option to extend for a year (which
was exercised). One purpose of the contract is to complete final reports
from the already terminated longitudinal study of the VR program and
final reports from other studies in order to meet new departmental
review requirements. Another purpose is to conduct in-depth data
analyses of the longitudinal study database and produce reports as
needed to answer policy questions.

-   ***Assisting RSA Discretionary Grantees to Implement the Common
    Measures for Employment and Training Programs*** (RTI, forthcoming,
    e):

The Department is partnering with six other federal agencies on a new
Job Training Common Measures (CM) initiative. Under this initiative,
four common measures have been identified that clarify core goals of the
federal job training programs. RSA is responsible for four employment
and job-training-related programs under this initiative including the VR
program (including the Supported Employment Service Program) and three
smaller programs. The three smaller programs are the AIVRS program, the
Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Program and the PWI Program.

The purpose of this activity is to assess existing grantee capacity to
obtain the data required to implement the CM and to suggest to RSA
options each program might pursue to enhance its capacity for complete
and accurate reporting. For a number of reasons, we expect that grantees
under these programs may have difficulty in implementing the CM. For
example, many of these small organizations may not have access to the
Unemployment Insurance (UI) wage data system, experience using it, or
the capacity to collect and report the data. The contractor is
responsible for assessing the capacity of existing grantees to obtain
the required data and will suggest to RSA options each program might
pursue to enhance its capacity to implement the CM.

-   ***Design of a Second Longitudinal Study of the VR Services
    Program*** (RTI, forthcoming, f):

The purpose of this activity is to design a new longitudinal study. It
has been five years since the main data collection terminated for the
earlier longitudinal study. It is anticipated that a new longitudinal
study would focus on the experiences of individuals who have completed
VR services --- particularly their contributions to society, need for
services, and ability to maintain and advance in employment. The design
study will review the literature, obtain input from a panel of experts
and stakeholders, perform site visits, and develop draft data collection
instruments and methods. The final report was completed in March 2005
and is being used to develop the new longitudinal study.

In FY 2003, RSA received four evaluation reports: *Evaluation of the
Centers for Independent Living Program, Evaluation of the Projects with
Industry Program,* and two final reports from the Longitudinal Study of
the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program: *How Consumer
Characteristics Affect Access to, Receipt of, and Outcomes of VR
Services,* and *VR Services and Outcomes*. Below are brief descriptions
of the studies.

***Evaluation of the Centers for Independent Living Program (CIL)***
(CESSI 2003):

This study was initiated in FY 1999. The CILs are federally funded
consumer-directed nonprofit agencies providing services and advocacy to
individuals with significant disabilities. Mail surveys of executive
directors of federally funded centers and telephone surveys of over 500
randomly selected CIL consumers throughout the country were conducted.
Some study findings are:

-   According to directors and consumers, CILs are providing independent
    living services and systems advocacy mandated by law and doing so in
    accordance with the independent living philosophy.

-   CILs are serving a population of poor, ethnically diverse consumers.

-   Consumers said they were largely satisfied with CIL services and
    that many participated in the center's advocacy activities.

-   Consumers attributed new knowledge and significant life changes to
    CIL services.

-   There were few differences in the services consumers received or
    their satisfaction with those services by race, gender, or rural or
    urban location of the center.

The report concludes with recommendations to RSA and CILs to strengthen
CIL programs.

***Evaluation of the Projects With Industries Program*** (RTI 2003a):

The broad purpose of the evaluation was to examine the role and
performance of the PWI program as one component of the broader set of
employment-related services available to individuals with disabilities,
with a particular focus on the extent to which PWI projects fulfilled
their intended goal to create and expand job opportunities for
individuals with disabilities at the project level. Collection of the
data needed to address these study objectives was done through (1) a
survey of all PWI projects funded as of October 2000, and (2) on-site
data collection at 30 randomly selected PWI projects.

Some of the study's key findings are:

-   Individuals with mental illness represented 22 percent of all former
    participants, followed by individuals with learning disabilities (15
    percent), nonorthopedic physical impairments (13 percent),
    orthopedic impairments (12 percent), a previous history of alcohol
    or substance abuse (11 percent), and hearing impairments (10
    percent).

-   Eighty-three percent of all former participants for whom
    documentation was available had a significant disability.

-   Nearly half (49 percent) of former participants were active VR
    service consumers at entry to PWI, another 21 percent had a prior
    experience with the VR agency, and 30 percent had no experience with
    the VR program.

-   Overall, 62 percent of former PWI participants either obtained
    employment (60 percent) or retained employment (2 percent).

-   On average, PWI participants who obtained employment worked for 31
    hours per week and earned \$8.94 per hour (median of \$8.00); most
    jobs were in either the service sector (38 percent), or retail sales
    (28 percent).

-   And finally, PWI and state VR agency staff agreed that PWI services
    do not duplicate VR agency services; individuals served by both
    programs tend to receive placement assistance only through the PWI
    program, with any training usually provided or at least funded by
    the VR agency.

##### A Longitudinal Study of the VR Services Program:

The *Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Program* has followed over 8,000 VR consumers at 37 locations for at
least three years for the purpose of identifying the types of
individuals served, types of services provided, environments in which
the services were provided and short-term and long-term economic and
non-economic outcomes of the VR program. Two final reports were released
in FY 2003:

\(1\) First Final Report: *How Consumer Characteristics Affect Access
to, Receipt of, and Outcomes of VR Services* (RTI 2003b)

Some of the key findings are:

-   During eligibility determination for services, there is not much
    difference in most of the characteristics (e.g., educational
    characteristics: level of education and receipt of special education
    services in high school; demographic characteristics: marital status
    and race) between individuals declared eligible and those not.
    However, individuals were more likely to be accepted for VR services
    if: their disability was significant or most significant; their
    disability was congenital rather than acquired; their disability was
    classified as either mental retardation or hearing impairment; they
    had high higher self-esteem; if working at application, they were
    working at a job in clerical or sales occupations; if not working at
    application, they were a student, unpaid family worker or volunteer.
    Individuals were less likely to be accepted for VR services if:
    their disability was a nonorthopedic physical impairment; they were
    working at application in supported or extended employment; or they
    were working at application at a job in a field other than clerical
    or sales occupations.

-   Individuals with higher gross motor function and higher personal
    care function were more likely to receive services, obtain
    employment and obtain competitive employment. People were also more
    likely to obtain VR services and employment if they desired
    assistive technology services.

-   Individuals with knowledge of specific jobs and good
    information-gathering skills were frequently more likely to become
    eligible and obtain: a) services, b) employment and c) competitive
    employment.

-   Individuals were less likely to seek services, employment and
    competitive employment if they received SSI or SSDI.

###### (2) Second Final Report: *VR Services and Outcomes* (RTI 2003b)

Some of the study's findings are:

-   VR services contributed quite significantly to consumers'
    competitive employment outcomes. Some services were found to be
    important for any employment outcome (competitive or noncompetitive)
    including quality of the consumer/counselor relationship, IPE
    modification, job development, job placement and on-the-job
    training. In addition, postsecondary education services --- business
    or vocational training and four-year college or university --- were
    important for competitive employment.

-   At the third annual follow-up, 78 percent of persons exiting into
    competitive employment were still working, compared with 70 percent
    of those exiting into noncompetitive employment, 37 percent of those
    who received services but exited VR without an employment outcome,
    and 40 percent of those who were eligible but dropped out before
    receiving VR services.

-   Individuals obtaining competitive employment earned an average of
    \$7.63 per hour when they exited from the VR program; three years
    later they averaged \$10.06 per hour.

-   Of individuals obtaining competitive employment, 32 percent earned
    more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level at exit from the
    VR program; three years later, 46 percent were at 200 percent of the
    federal poverty level.

-   Among individuals who obtained any type of employment outcome with
    earnings, 32 percent received health benefits from their employers
    at exit from VR; three years later that percentage rose to 50
    percent (the figure for all individuals in the country including the
    nondisabled is approximately 52 percent); among those with
    competitive employment outcomes the percentage rose from 36 percent
    to 58 percent over three years.

-   Among individuals who received a competitive employment outcome, 39
    percent reported they received some form of transfer payments at
    entry into VR; three years after their case files were closed, 26
    percent reported they still received some form of transfer payment.

### *American Rehabilitation Magazine*

## Authorized Under Section 12(a)(4) of the Act Managed by the Office of the Commissioner, RSA {#authorized-under-section-12a4-of-the-act-managed-by-the-office-of-the-commissioner-rsa .Heading-3}

Through the *American Rehabilitation Magazine*, RSA disseminates
information on new and successful approaches to providing rehabilitation
services to individuals with disabilities that can and should be
replicated. The magazine addresses topics related to VR, such as best
practices in the performance of professional duties, innovative
programs, agency administrative practices and research findings. The
magazine also features book and film reviews, resources on disability
and rehabilitation, information regarding what individual states[^14]
are doing and other items of interest to rehabilitation professionals.

In recent years, the magazine has devoted a number of issues to cover
one specific disability or a specific approach to rehabilitation.
Articles appearing in FY 2003 issues focused on Mentoring and
Transitioning. The publication was circulated to 2,699 entities that
include various types of libraries; universities and colleges; state
departments of vocational rehabilitation, education and labor; Client
Assistance Program and Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights
offices; various national associations for different disabilities;
various research centers and institutes; presidential committees and
commissions on various disabilities; American Indian VR agencies; other
federal agencies; and various individuals who work in disability areas.
The magazine is distributed to all 56 states as well as to various
foreign countries.

### Information Clearinghouse

## Authorized Under Section 15 of the Act Managed by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services {#authorized-under-section-15-of-the-act-managed-by-the-office-of-special-education-and-rehabilitative-services .Heading-3}

The National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials (NCRTM)
staff responds to inquires and provide the public with information about
what is going on in the rehabilitation community. Inquiries usually come
from individuals with disabilities, their families, national
organizations, other federal and state agencies, information providers,
the news media and the general public. Most inquiries are related to
federal funding, legislation affecting individuals with disabilities and
federal programs and policies. Clearinghouse staff members refer callers
to other appropriate sources of disability-related information and
assistance.

Periodically, the clearinghouse staff will analyze inquiries to assess
current information needs. Based on that analysis, fact sheets and other
relevant publications are prepared and made available to the public.
During FY 2003 the NCRTM shipped approximately 2,305 orders of training
materials. The total mailings of printed newsletters totaled
approximately 15,865. E-newsletter subscriptions totaled 1,389.

### National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research 

## Authorized Under Sections 200-204 of the Act Managed by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services  {#authorized-under-sections-200-204-of-the-act-managed-by-the-office-of-special-education-and-rehabilitative-services .Heading-3}

Created in 1978, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR) conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of
research, demonstration projects, training and related activities that
promote: full inclusion and integration into society; employment;
independent living; maintenance of health and function; and the transfer
of rehabilitation technology to individuals with disabilities. NIDRR
activities are designed to improve the economic and social
self-sufficiency of these individuals, with particular emphasis on
improving the effectiveness of services authorized under the act.

The primary role of NIDRR is to provide a comprehensive and coordinated
program of research and related activities to advance knowledge (i.e.,
short-term outcomes[^15]), and inform and improve policy, practice and
system capacity (i.e., intermediate outcomes[^16]) designed to maximize
the inclusion and social integration, health and function, employment
and independent living of individuals of all ages with disabilities.
Another role of NIDRR is to ensure the widespread distribution of
practical scientific and technological information related to
rehabilitation and disability, in usable formats to appropriate user
populations, and to increase opportunities for researchers who are
individuals with disabilities.

To address these purposes, NIDRR supports rehabilitation research and
development centers, demonstration projects and related activities,
including the training of persons who provide rehabilitation services,
or who conduct rehabilitation research. In addition, NIDRR supports
projects to disseminate and promote the use of information concerning
developments in rehabilitation procedures, methods and devices.
Information is provided to rehabilitation professionals, persons with
disabilities and their representatives.

NIDRR also supports data analyses on the demographics of those with
disabilities and provides that information to policymakers,
administrators and other relevant groups. Awards are competitive, with
applications reviewed by panels of experts, including rehabilitation
professionals, rehabilitation researchers and persons with disabilities.

#### NIDRRs Research Program Mechanisms

NIDRR invests in the following types of centers and projects:

##### Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers

Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) conduct
coordinated, integrated and advanced programs of research targeted
toward the production of new knowledge to improve rehabilitation
methodology and service delivery systems, to alleviate or stabilize
disabling conditions and to promote maximum social and economic
independence of individuals with disabilities. RRTCs develop methods,
procedures and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full
inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living,
family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals
with disabilities, especially those with significant disabilities. RRTCs
also provide training, including graduate, preservice and in-service
training, and teaching to transfer new knowledge to assist
rehabilitation personnel to more effectively provide rehabilitation
services to individuals with disabilities. Awards are for five years,
except that grants to new recipients or to support new or innovative
research may be made for less than five years.

A specific example of a short-term outcome was the development and
implementation of a successful new initiative to increase understanding
among consumers, service providers, and national organizations about
psychiatric vocational rehabilitation and recovery issues pertaining to
Hispanic populations. To date, this program has contributed to increased
awareness by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the
International Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services of
the importance of cultural competence, language and diversity in
producing positive outcomes.[^17]

Another short-term outcome was the development and contribution to
increased interest in and adoption of recovery-oriented rehabilitation
services and practices for persons with mental illness in selected state
departments of mental health including New York, Ohio, Alabama, North
Carolina, and California.[^18]

##### Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) focus on issues
dealing with rehabilitation technology, including advanced research in
rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology devices and services
to develop and test new engineering solutions to problems of disability.
Types of activities supported by RERCs include: the development and
dissemination of innovative methods of applying advanced technology,
scientific achievements, and psychological and social knowledge to solve
rehabilitation problems and remove environmental barriers;
demonstrations and dissemination of scientific research to assist in
meeting the employment and independent living needs of individuals with
significant disabilities; service-delivery-systems-change projects; and
the stimulation of the production and distribution of equipment in the
private sector, as well as clinical evaluations of equipment. Each RERC
must provide training opportunities to enable individuals, including
individuals with disabilities, to become researchers and practitioners
of rehabilitation technology. Awards are for five years, except that
grants to new recipients or to support new or innovative research may be
made for less than five years.

An intermediate outcome was the contribution to the development and
implementation of accessible information kiosks for the new World War II
Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Postal Service, thereby
reducing barriers to participation and resulting in increased access to
public information for individuals with all types of abilities.[^19]

##### Disability and Rehabilitation Research and Related Projects 

Disability and Rehabilitation Research and Related Projects (DRRPs) are
aimed at fulfilling NIDRR's overarching goals of inclusion, integration,
employment and self-sufficiency. There are four types of DRRPs: (1)
Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization (KDU) projects described below;
(2) Model Systems in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Burn Injury,
described below under "Model Systems;" (3) Disability and Business
Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) projects, described below; and (4)
research projects. The first three types of DRRPs are managed as
separate programs and discussed in the sections immediately following.
The fourth---research DRRPs---differ from RRTC and RERC projects in that
they have no training requirement and may support short-term research
relating to the development of methods, procedures and devices to assist
in the provision of rehabilitation services, particularly to persons
with significant disabilities. Awards are for five years, except that
grants to new recipients or to support new or innovative research may be
made for less than five years.

A significant outcome from a research DRRP was the increased
international capacity- building in rehabilitation and disability
research for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and their affiliated
faculty and graduate students through 12 travel awards to support
research and collaboration between MSI researchers and international
colleagues. This exchange resulted in the participation of faculty from
MSIs in three conferences; new research planning activities related to
Australia, Belize, China, Guatemala and South Africa; and the
identification of the needs of ethnic and racial minority groups.
Presentations based on these research topics were collected to form a
book on rehabilitation and disability research for MSIs that was
distributed at the University of Hawaii-Manoa conference on Women in
Community-Based Disability and Rehabilitation Research-Participatory
Action Research and Indigenous Ways of Knowing.[^20]

*(1) Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization*

NIDRR's KDU projects support information utilization and dissemination,
including state-of-the-art assessments and diffusion centers, to ensure
that knowledge generated from research is available and can be fully
used to improve services, opportunities and conditions for persons with
disabilities. Through this program, NIDRR reaches its many
constituencies of research scientists, people with disabilities and
their families, service providers, policymakers, educators, human
resource developers, advocates, entities covered by the *Americans with
Disabilities Act* (*ADA*), and others. In carrying out this part of
NIDRR's mission, the agency's challenge is to reach diverse and changing
populations, to present research results in many different and
accessible formats, and to use technology appropriately. Not only does
NIDRR require grantees to engage in dissemination of results of
research, demonstration, training and other activities, but also it
supports a range of diffusion centers to specifically address this part
of its mission. Other projects provide information on specific
disabilities or information to specific target audiences. KDU project
personnel work cooperatively and collaboratively with each other and
other NIDRR centers through publication of materials, Web-based
communication, and participation in meetings of project directors.

*(2) Model Systems*

The model systems program conducts research activities across all of
NIDRR's research domains. NIDRR\'s research focus for the health and
function area addresses challenges to systems for individuals' care,
rehabilitation services and supports for people with spinal cord injury
(SCI), TBI and burn injury. Research topics include: medical,
psychological, vocational and other rehabilitation; health and wellness
programs; service delivery; short- and long-term interventions; systems
research, and new and emerging disabilities. Other projects associated
with these three systems target social interventions and test their
effectiveness in terms of enhancing options for workplace and community
reintegration for individuals with these disabilities. Research efforts
in this area include four centers working on model burn injury projects,
16 on model SCI systems and 16 on model TBI projects.

A short-term outcome was the development of the Center on Outcome
Measurement in Brain Injury, in collaboration with 13 of the
NIDRR-funded TBI model systems, to provide an online, comprehensive
resource on outcome measures for brain injuries, which early reports
indicate is advancing knowledge regarding the availability, properties,
and appropriate use of outcome measurement scales for TBI.[^21]

*(3) Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers*

The Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) are
also responsible for providing technical assistance, disseminating
information and providing training on the requirements of the *ADA* and
developments in *ADA* case law, policy and implementation to individuals
or entities with responsibilities and rights under the act. The DBTACs
are responsible for increasing the capacity of organizations at the
state and local levels to provide technical assistance, disseminate
information, provide training and promote awareness of the *ADA*. The
DBTACs also promote awareness of the *ADA* and the availability of
services provided by the DBTACs, other NIDRR grantees working on *ADA*
issues and other federal information sources on the *ADA*.

A short-term outcome was the development of an introductory course about
the *ADA* and accessible information technology with the Georgia
Institute of Technology's Department of Regional and City Planning that
is being taught to Georgia Tech graduate students and student project
supervisors to ensure attention is given to accessibility and universal
design in city planning.[^22]

Another short-term outcome was the development of the *Partners
Project*, a two-day intensive training on the *ADA*, to equip disability
advocates and professionals who work with *ADA* issues with the
knowledge and skills needed to answer basic questions, disseminate
materials, and provide training in their community or workplace, which
has been successfully completed to date by over 150 partners across a
four-state region.[^23]

##### Field-Initiated Projects

Field-Initiated Projects (FIPs) support research and development
activities that address topics and issues identified by the researchers.
Most FIP awards are made for three years.

A short-term outcome was the successful development of a new
"way-finding" product for blind and visually impaired users that
exploits the Global Positioning System and other current emerging
navigation technologies. It has the potential to improve the users'
ability to assess orientation, as well as indoor and outdoor
way-finding, and travel through traffic intersections.[^24]

##### Small Business Innovation Research

Small Business Innovation Research projects, mandated under the *Small
Business Reauthorization Act of 2000*, support the development of ideas
and projects that are useful to persons with disabilities by inviting
the participation of small business firms with strong research
capabilities in science, engineering or educational technology. The
program funds small businesses in three phases, covering the process
required to take an idea from development to market readiness.

A short-term outcome was the further development and field-testing of
*StoryTiles*, a device with programmable manipulatives that fosters
language, sequencing, and imaginative play skills among children with
autism. Initial field-testing activities indicate that *StoryTiles* can
be used in a preschool classroom to effectively teach sequencing skills,
story comprehension, creative play skills, and receptive/expressive
skills. Data from this study resulted in the development of
inclusive-environment objectives for using *StoryTiles* with a special
needs population within a mainstream classroom.[^25]

##### Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training Project 

The Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Project supports
grants to institutions providing advanced training in research to
physicians, nurses, engineers, physical therapists and other
professionals.

During FY 2003, NIDRR funded 14 ARRTs with 53 fellows receiving
training. A short-term outcome from this program included: 43 percent of
trained fellows received doctoral degrees, 6 percent were persons with
disabilities, and 11 percent were minorities. This group of graduate
trainees produced 142 presentations and contributions to 41
peer-reviewed journals, with one citation in the *Cochrane Review*.

##### Mary E. Switzer Fellowships

This fellowship program supports one-year fellowships to highly
qualified individuals to carry out discrete research activities that are
related to NIDRR's research priorities or to pursue studies of
importance to the rehabilitation community. Awards are made both to
individuals of doctoral or comparable academic status who have had seven
or more years of relevant experience and to individuals who are at
earlier stages in their careers.

##### Interagency Committee on Disability Research

NIDRR funding also supports the Interagency Committee on Disability
Research (ICDR), authorized under Section 203(a)(1) of the act. The
primary purpose of the ICDR is to promote cooperation across various
federal agencies in the development and execution of disability and
rehabilitation research activities. The ICDR is responsible for
coordinating federal research related to rehabilitation of individuals
with disabilities; facilitating the compilation of information about the
status of rehabilitation research sponsored by federal agencies;
promoting the exchange of information; making recommendations with
respect to coordination of policy and development of objectives and
priorities; and preparing reports to the president and Congress. ICDR
funds support development and maintenance of a Web-based infrastructure
which links relevant databases of ongoing research activities undertaken
by various agencies and thereby prevents unnecessary duplication and
overlap. ICDR also supports collaboration with relevant public and
private entities and consumers and multi-agency coordination and
cooperation to develop and evaluate assistive technologies.

A significant outcome was the development and launching of a new ICDR
public Web site in July 2003 (www.icdr.us). It contains a form to
receive public comments on disability and rehabilitation research needs,
information about the ICDR, an archive of important disability and
rehabilitation research reports, links to federally funded research
project home pages and databases of ICDR member agencies, and other
relevant links.

Another significant outcome was conducting the Summit on Wheeled
Mobility and Accessible Transportation, held on July 22, 2003, in
Washington, D.C. It provided a forum for U.S. university researchers,
experts in rehabilitation science and technology, physical medicine,
engineering, and architecture to discuss the state of the science and
future research needs of wheeled mobility users. The discussion
addressed the lack of standards and regulations for wheeled mobility and
seating systems; the need for compatible and appropriate wheeled
mobility for para-transit and *ADA*-compliant securement systems;
limited access to, or problems associated with, private and public
transportation; and the need for a universal transit system that will
service all people.

##### Outreach to Minority Colleges and Universities

Section 21 of the act instructs NIDRR and RSA to conduct outreach
activities to individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds.
In order to implement this mandate, NIDRR and RSA must reserve one
percent of the funds appropriated for programs under Titles II, III, VI,
and VII to make awards to provide outreach and technical assistance to
minority entities and American Indian tribes and to make awards to
minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out activities under the
act. In FY 2003, \$1,092,850 was reserved from NIDRR programs under
Title II.

##### NIDRR Management---Planning for and Demonstrating Results

NIDRR's management of its research investments involves long-term
strategic planning, performance management and a multilevel evaluation
process that includes independent expert review of awards at the
portfolio or programmatic level, corresponding to the primary domains of
NIDRR's long-range plan (USED/NIDRR 2006).

In FY 2003, NIDRR continued the development of its long-range plan for
the years 2005 to 2009. The new plan was to build on the previous
1999-2003 plan, while responding to new developments in the disability
and rehabilitation research field and in government, including the New
Freedom Initiative and the president's Management Agenda with the focus
on accountability for results. In the new plan, NIDRR will continue to
emphasize the same or similar research areas as those delineated in the
1999-2003 plan --- employment, health and function, technology for
access and function, community living and participation, and disability
demographics. For each area, NIDRR will identify goals and objectives
and will work at incorporating these in its priorities and grant
announcements to encourage innovative research. (The *Final Long-Range
Plan for 2005-09* was published in the *Federal Register* on Feb. 15,
2006 (USED/NIDRR 2006a).

NIDRR's program goals for FY 2003 focused on producing high-quality
research designed to help individuals with disabilities participate
fully and productively in society. Program review has become a key
element in NIDRR's quality assurance and performance monitoring and
evaluation systems. NIDRR conducted two types of reviews (formative or
summative) for three major programs: RERCs, RRTCs, and model systems
programs for SCI, TBI, and burn injury. Formative reviews occur early in
a five-year funding cycle (between 12 and 15 months) and summative
reviews occur toward the end of the fourth year. The Center of
Excellence (CoE) model (USED/NIDRR 2006b) was the central framework
driving all aspects of both types of reviews. NIDRR is committed to
achieving the standards of excellence contained in the CoE model through
an active partnership between itself and each center. Results of program
review are used to guide program improvement activities, meet
information needs, and contribute to future planning and priority
development.

In addition, during FY 2003, NIDRR continued a revision of its Web-based
reporting system for annual monitoring and *GPRA*. The same system will
be used to collect information for program review. The integrated system
will allow NIDRR to more easily track activities, outputs and outcomes.

The allocation of NIDRR grant funds for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 is
shown on table 11 below. There are no figures in the FY 2002 column for
the Knowledge Dissemination and Utilization program because the data on
the budget breakdown for that program was not collected prior to FY
2003. However, beginning with FY 2003, the data will be broken down and
shown in future reports.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531495 .anchor}Table 11 NIDRR-Funded       |
| > Centers and Projects: Funding and Awards,\                          |
| > Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003                                          |
+=======================================================================+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |                         | **Number | **Grant  | **Number | **      |
| * |                         | of       | Amounts  | of       | Grant** |
| C |                         | Awards   | (in      | Awards   |         |
| e |                         | F        | thou     | F        | **      |
| n |                         | Y 2002** | sands)** | Y 2003** | Amounts |
| t |                         |          |          |          | (in     |
| e |                         |          |          |          | thous   |
| r |                         |          |          |          | ands)** |
| s |                         |          |          |          |         |
| a |                         |          |          |          |         |
| n |                         |          |          |          |         |
| d |                         |          |          |          |         |
| P |                         |          |          |          |         |
| r |                         |          |          |          |         |
| o |                         |          |          |          |         |
| j |                         |          |          |          |         |
| e |                         |          |          |          |         |
| c |                         |          |          |          |         |
| t |                         |          |          |          |         |
| s |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| R |                         |          |          |          |         |
| R |                         |          |          |          |         |
| T |                         |          |          |          |         |
| C |                         |          |          |          |         |
| s |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | Continuations           | 30       | \$22,012 | 19       | \$8,336 |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | New Awards              | 0        | 0        | 14       | \       |
|   |                         |          |          |          | $10,749 |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| R |                         |          |          |          |         |
| E |                         |          |          |          |         |
| R |                         |          |          |          |         |
| C |                         |          |          |          |         |
| s |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | Continuations           | 16       | \$16,068 | 14       | \       |
|   |                         |          |          |          | $11,793 |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | New Awards              | 5        | \$4,406  | 8        | \$7,649 |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| D |                         |          |          |          |         |
| R |                         |          |          |          |         |
| R |                         |          |          |          |         |
| P |                         |          |          |          |         |
| s |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
| * |                         |          |          |          |         |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | Continuations           | 12       | \$1,402  | 16       | \$6,145 |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | New Awards              | 4        | \$4,256  | 7        | \$2,096 |
+---+-------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+

+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| T |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| b |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| 1 |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| 1 |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| ( |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| C |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
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| d |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| ) |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+===+===+========================+==========+==========+==========+=========+
| * |   |                        | **Number | **Grant  | **Number | **      |
| * |   |                        | of       | Amounts  | of       | Grant** |
| C |   |                        | Awards   | (in      | Awards   |         |
| e |   |                        | F        | thou     | F        | **      |
| n |   |                        | Y 2002** | sands)** | Y 2003** | Amounts |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          | (in     |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          | thous   |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          | ands)** |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| d |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| P |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| j |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| c |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| M |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| d |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| S |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| y |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| m |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| : |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| S |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| p |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| C |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| d |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| I |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| j |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| u |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| y |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   |   | Continuations          | 21       | \$6,922  | 21       | \$7,807 |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   |   | New Awards             | 0        | 0        | 0        | 0       |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| T |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| u |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| m |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| c |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| B |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| I |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| j |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| u |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| y |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   |   | Continuations          | 16       | \$348    | 17       | \$6,193 |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   |   | New Awards             | 1        | \$5,838  | 1        | \$600   |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| B |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| u |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| > |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| I |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| j |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| u |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| y |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   |   | Continuations          | 0        | 0        | 5        | \$1,450 |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   |   | New Awards             | 5        | \$1,449  | 0        | 0       |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| D |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| B |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| T |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| A |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| C |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | C |                        | 11       | \$11,804 | 11       | \       |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          | $11,854 |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | u |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | N |                        | 0        | 0        | 0        | 0       |
|   | e |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | A |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | r |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | d |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        | 22       | \$5,027  | 32       | \$5,003 |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| S |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| m |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| B |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| u |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| I |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| v |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| R |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| c |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| h |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        | NA       | NA       | 6        | \$3,800 |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| K |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| D |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| U |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| P |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| j |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| c |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| F |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| d |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| - |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| I |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| d |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| P |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| j |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| c |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | C |                        | 57       | \$8,091  | 62       | \$9,133 |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | u |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | N |                        | 35       | \$5,186  | 27       | \$4,048 |
|   | e |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | A |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | r |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | d |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| M |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| y |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| S |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| w |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| z |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| F |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| w |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| h |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| p |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | N |                        | 10       | \$530    | 11       | \$545   |
|   | e |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | A |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | r |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | d |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | O |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | l |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | y |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| R |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| c |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| h |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| T |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| i |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| g |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| G |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| n |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | C |                        | 10       | \$1,868  | 12       | \$1,640 |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | u |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | N |                        | 6        | \$834    | 2        | \$300   |
|   | e |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | A |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | r |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | d |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| O |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| u |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| r |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| e |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| c |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| h |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | C |                        | 8        | \$1,100  | 0        | 0       |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | u |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | a |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | t |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | i |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | o |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | n |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | s |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
|   | N |                        | 0        | 0        | 3        | \$1,123 |
|   | e |                        |          |          |          |         |
|   | w |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        | **269**  | **\$     | **288**  | **\$10  |
| * |   |                        |          | 97,141** |          | 0,264** |
| T |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| o |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| t |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| a |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| l |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| s |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
+---+---+------------------------+----------+----------+----------+---------+
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| * |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
| R |   |                        |          |          |          |         |
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## Advocacy and Enforcement

Requirements under the act call for continuous reviews of policies and
practices related to the nondiscrimination and affirmative employment of
individuals with disabilities and their access to facilities and
information. To carry out the responsibilities stemming from those
requirements, the act authorizes a number of advocacy and advisory
programs operating at national and state levels. Such programs conduct
periodic reviews of existing employment policies and practices. In
addition, these programs develop and recommend policies and procedures
that facilitate the nondiscrimination and affirmative employment of
individuals with disabilities to ensure compliance with standards
prescribed by congressional legislation.

Some of the advocacy programs funded under the act provide advice and
assistance to individuals with disabilities, as well as make
recommendations to the president, the Congress, and the secretary of the
U.S. Department of Education. Other advocacy programs authorized under
the act assist individuals with disabilities to obtain the services they
need under the act or protect their legal and human rights, or both.

Several federal agencies have been given the authority to use
enforcement and compliance techniques to ensure that government agencies
and private firms doing business with the government subscribe to and
implement legislative provisions related to the employment of
individuals with disabilities. These enforcement agencies review
complaints, conduct investigations, conduct public hearings and issue
orders. These agencies participate, when necessary, as *amicus curiae*
in any U. S. court in civil actions. They design appropriate and
equitable affirmative action remedies. Orders of compliance may include
the withholding of or suspension of federal funds.

### Client Assistance Program

## Authorized Under Section 112 of the Act Managed by the Program Administration Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-112-of-the-act-managed-by-the-program-administration-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) provides grants to the 56 states to
assist eligible individuals and applicants to the VR program and other
programs, projects and services funded under the act. Services are
provided to help eligible individuals and applicants understand the
services and benefits available under the act and to advise them of
their rights and responsibilities in connection with those benefits.
Assistance also may be provided to help eligible individuals and
applicants in their relationships with those entities providing services
under the act, including assistance and advocacy in pursuing legal and
administrative remedies to ensure the protection of their rights. All
programs funded under the act must inform consumers and applicants about
the services available from the CAP and how to contact the CAP. Each
state must operate a CAP in order to receive other allotments under the
act, including VR program grant funds. There are currently 56 CAPs in
operation.

Each governor designates a public or private agency to operate a CAP.
This designated agency must be independent of any agency that provides
services under the act, except in those cases where the act
"grandfathered" CAPs already housed within state agencies providing
services. In the event that one of these state agencies providing
services under the act restructures, the act requires the governor to
redesignate a CAP in an agency that does not provide services under the
act. Currently, very few "internal" CAPs (e.g., those housed within a
state VR agency or other agency providing services under the act)
remain.

CAPs also conduct systemic advocacy to benefit large numbers of
individuals facing a similar issue. Systemic advocacy can take a variety
of forms, but most often CAPs engage in discussions with state VR
agencies and other programs funded under the act to improve policies and
procedures that affect the quality of the service delivery system. In FY
2003, 27 out of the 56 CAPs (48 percent) reported changes in policies
and practices benefiting individuals with disabilities as a result of
their efforts.

Overall, in FY 2003, CAPs nationwide responded to 53,295 requests for
information and provided extensive services to 8,586 individuals.
Slightly more than 94 percent of those cases in which extensive services
were provided involved applicants for or recipients of services from the
VR program. In 77 percent of those cases, issues related to the delivery
of VR services. This data also demonstrates that in 28 percent of the
cases closed, CAPs enabled the individuals to advocate for themselves
through the explanation of policies; that 12 percent of these cases
resulted in the reestablishment of communication between the individuals
and other parties; and 11 percent resulted in the development or
implementation of an IPE.

In FY 2003, specific examples of CAP activities included:

-   The Arizona CAP advocated for an individual with spina bifida who
    desired to attend the private school Ottawa University for
    disability-related reasons. The Arizona VR agency was insisting that
    the individual attend Arizona State University. However, due to her
    disability, the individual was not able to maneuver her manual
    wheelchair across the sprawling campus. In addition, the exposure to
    the extreme temperatures would have endangered the individual's
    health. The individual was seeking to attend Ottawa instead because
    the school is encompassed within one building. The Arizona VR agency
    then denied payment of full tuition at Ottawa University claiming
    that policies limited such assistance to the tuition rate at the
    public university. CAP was able to intervene on the individual's
    behalf, reversing the Arizona VR agency's decision. The Arizona VR
    agency is now providing full tuition while the individual is
    attending Ottawa University.

-   The North Carolina CAP advocated for an individual who had been a
    global trade consultant. The individual had developed information
    and tracking software to market to small businesses that want to
    expand into international trade (import/export ventures). With the
    assistance of his VR counselor, the individual wrote and submitted a
    small business proposal to the North Carolina agency's chief of
    operation for approval. The proposal was ultimately denied because
    the reviewer questioned the quality and marketing feasibility of the
    product. CAP assisted the individual with necessary revisions to the
    proposal and the creation of a professional Power Point presentation
    that was later used to explain and demonstrate the product in an
    administrative review. The VR representative conducting the
    administrative review was impressed with the individual's
    presentation and ruled in favor of supporting the business plan.

### Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights Program

## Authorized under Section 509 of the Act Managed by the Program Administration Division of RSA {#authorized-under-section-509-of-the-act-managed-by-the-program-administration-division-of-rsa .Heading-3}

The purpose of the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR)
Program is to support a system in each state and the American Indian
consortium to protect the legal and human rights of eligible individuals
with disabilities. These 57 PAIR programs provide legal, administrative,
and other appropriate services to ensure the protection of, and advocacy
for, the rights of eligible individuals with disabilities within the
state; and information on and referrals to programs and services
addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities. The PAIR program
serves individuals with disabilities who are ineligible for protection
and advocacy services provided under Part C of the *Developmental
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000* (*DD Act*), the
*Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act*, or
who need protection and advocacy services that are beyond the scope of
the CAP.

States use PAIR funds to plan and carry out protection and advocacy
programs for eligible individuals with disabilities and to develop
outreach strategies to make individuals with disabilities aware of their
rights. Funds must be set aside under this program for two activities
before awarding grants to eligible states with the remaining
appropriation. Under the first activity, during any fiscal year in which
the appropriation is equal to or exceeds \$5.5 million, the secretary of
education must first set aside not less than 1.8 percent and not more
than 2.2 percent of the amount appropriated for training and technical
assistance to eligible systems established under this program.

For the second activity, if the total appropriation exceeds \$10.5
million, the secretary must award no less than \$50,000 to the eligible
system established under the *DD Act* to serve the American Indian
consortium. The secretary then distributes the remainder of the
appropriation to the eligible systems within the states on a formula
basis after satisfying minimum allocations.

The act also requires the secretary to increase the minimum allotments
for states by a percentage not greater than the percentage increase in
the total amount appropriated for this program from the previous fiscal
year when the level of the appropriation increases. The act establishes
a minimum allotment of \$100,000 for 52 of the states or one-third of 1
percent of funds remaining after the technical assistance set-aside and
grant for the American Indian consortium, whichever is greater. Guam,
American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands receive a minimum allotment of \$50,000.

During FY 2003, PAIR programs reported representing 17,053 individuals
and responding to 70,731 requests for information or referral. Of the
cases handled by PAIR programs in that year, the greatest number of
specified issues involved education (21 percent), employment (15
percent) and government benefits/services (12 percent). In addition to
providing representation to individuals, PAIR programs address systemic
issues faced by persons with disabilities through a variety of methods,
including negotiations with public and private entities and class action
litigation. In FY 2003, 43 of the 57 PAIR programs (75 percent) reported
that these activities resulted in changes in policies and practices
benefiting individuals with disabilities.

Each year, each PAIR program must seek public comment when developing
its statement of objectives and priorities, including a rationale for
the selection of the objectives and priorities and a plan for achieving
them. These objectives and priorities will define the issues that the
PAIR program will work on during the year, thus defining the types of
cases that the PAIR program will accept. These priorities and objectives
cover a wide variety of issues that affect individuals with disabilities
in their daily lives.

In FY 2003, specific examples of PAIR program activities included:

-   With the use of PAIR funds, the Native American Protection and
    Advocacy Program brought a lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian
    Affairs (BIA), which resulted in a court decision that fundamentally
    altered and clarified the BIA's role in providing special education
    services to Native American students with disabilities. The BIA had
    adopted the policy that it was not responsible for the services that
    these students received. The court soundly rejected the BIA's
    position and held that it is ultimately responsible for insuring
    that Native American students with disabilities receive a free
    appropriate public education.

-   In Pennsylvania, various advisory committees and councils focused on
    the identification and diversion of individuals entering nursing
    homes and personal care homes. Through its participation on these
    advisory councils, the Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
    advocated for a pilot project in southwest Pennsylvania, which has
    successfully implemented a "home and community-based services
    presumptive eligibility" process. This project has resulted in some
    significant systemic changes that have provided quick and easy
    access to home and community-based services and supports for
    individuals residing in nursing homes. Under this pilot, 14
    individuals were moved out of nursing homes or diverted from ever
    having to enter a nursing home within a three-week time period. On
    the very first day of the pilot, one individual in a nursing home
    returned to the community. The pilot is expected to be implemented
    statewide once sufficient funding can be obtained from the state.

### Employment of People with Disabilities

## Authorized Under Section 501 of the Act Managed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission {#authorized-under-section-501-of-the-act-managed-by-the-equal-employment-opportunity-commission .Heading-3}

The act authorizes the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to
enforce the nondiscrimination and affirmative employment provisions of
laws and regulations concerning the employment of individuals with
disabilities. As part of its oversight responsibilities, EEOC conducts
on-site reviews of federal agency affirmative action employment
programs. Based on these reviews, the EEOC submits findings and
recommendations for federal agency implementation. The EEOC then
monitors the implementation of these findings and recommendations by
performing follow-up on-site reviews.

### Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

## (Access Board) Authorized Under Section 502 and Section 508 of the Act {#access-board-authorized-under-section-502-and-section-508-of-the-act .Heading-3}

Section 502 of the act created the Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board, also known as the Access Board. Section 502
lays out the duties of the board under the *Architectural Barriers Act*
(*ABA*), which include: ensuring compliance with standards issued under
the *ABA*, developing and maintaining guidelines for complying with the
*ABA*, and promoting access throughout all segments of society. The
Access Board also has the primary responsibility for developing and
maintaining accessibility guidelines and providing technical assistance
under the *ADA* with respect to overcoming architectural,
transportation, and communication barriers. The Access Board is also
responsible for developing and periodically updating guidelines under
the *Telecommunications Act of 1996* that ensure access to various
telecommunication products.

Composed of 25 members, the Access Board is structured to function as a
representative of the general public and as a coordinating body among
federal agencies. Twelve of its members are senior managers from federal
departments; the other 13 are private citizens appointed by the
president, a majority of whom must be individuals with disabilities. Key
responsibilities of the Access Board include: developing and maintaining
accessibility requirements for the built environment, transit vehicles,
telecommunications equipment, and electronic and information technology;
providing technical assistance and training on these guidelines and
standards; and enforcing accessibility standards for federally funded
facilities.

The 1998 amendments to the act expanded the Access Board's role and gave
it responsibility for developing access standards for electronic and
information technology under Section 508 of the act. The description of
the Access Board in Section 508 provides information regarding its role
and those standards. The Access Board provides training and technical
assistance on all its guidelines and standards.

With its publications, hotline and training sessions, the Access Board
also provides a range of services to private as well as public
organizations. In addition, the board enforces accessibility provisions
of the *ABA*, the *ADA*, and the *Telecommunications Act* through the
investigation of complaints. The Access Board conducts its
investigations through the responsible federal agencies and strives for
amicable resolution of complaints.

### Electronic and Information Technology

## Authorized Under Section 508 of the Act Activities Conducted by the Office of the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Education {#authorized-under-section-508-of-the-act-activities-conducted-by-the-office-of-the-chief-information-officer-u.s.-department-of-education .Heading-3}

Section 508 of the act requires that when federal agencies develop,
procure, maintain or use electronic and information technology, they
shall ensure that the electronic and information technology allows
federal employees with disabilities to have access to and use of
information and data that is comparable to the access to and use of
information and data by federal employees who are not individuals with
disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.
Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities who are
members of the public seeking information or services from a federal
agency, have access to and use of information and data that are
comparable to the access to and use of information and data by members
of the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue
burden would be imposed on the agency. The intention is to eliminate
barriers in accessing information technology, make new opportunities
available for individuals with disabilities, and encourage development
of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The 1998 amendments
to the act significantly expanded and strengthened the technology access
requirements in Section 508.

The Department's Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) plays a
lead role in the implementation of Section 508 through such activities
as product conformance testing and the provision of technical assistance
to government agencies and vendors on the implementation of the Section
508 standards. The OCIO Assistive Technology Team delivers assistive
technology workshops, presentations and demonstrations to other federal
agencies, to state and local education institutions, and at assistive
technology and information technology industry seminars and conferences,
and conducts numerous conformance tests of high visibility
e-government-sponsored Web sites.

The OCIO, in conjunction with the Access Board and the General Services
Administration (GSA), participates in the Federal Information Technology
Accessibility Initiative, an interagency effort, coordinated by GSA, to
offer technical assistance and to provide an informal means of
cooperation and sharing of information on implementation of Section 508
throughout the federal government.

Also in FY 2003, the Department continued for a third year to support
the five-year, \$7.5 million grant to the Georgia Institute of
Technology\'s Center for Rehabilitation Technology. This grant is
providing training and technical assistance on universal design to
technology manufacturers, product designers and purchasers of
information technology, thereby helping to improve the implementation of
Section 508.

### Employment Under Federal Contracts

## Authorized Under Section 503 of the Act Managed by the Employment Standards Administration, U.S. Department of Labor {#authorized-under-section-503-of-the-act-managed-by-the-employment-standards-administration-u.s.-department-of-labor .Heading-3}

The Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program
(OFCCP) is responsible for ensuring that employers with federal
contracts or subcontracts in excess of \$10,000 take affirmative action
to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with
disabilities. OFCCP investigators conduct several thousand compliance
reviews and investigate hundreds of complaints each year. OFCCP also
issues policy guidance to private companies and develops innovative ways
to gain compliance with the law.

### Nondiscrimination Under Federal Grants and Programs

## Authorized Under Section 504 of the Act Managed by the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and The Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights {#authorized-under-section-504-of-the-act-managed-by-the-department-of-justice-civil-rights-division-and-the-department-of-education-office-for-civil-rights .Heading-3}

Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in
federally assisted programs and activities. This provision of the act is
designed to protect the rights of any person who has a physical or
mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
activities, has a record of an impairment or is regarded as having such
an impairment. Major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing,
speaking, breathing, learning, working, caring for oneself and
performing manual tasks.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (CRD) has overall
responsibility for coordinating the implementation and enforcement of
Section 504 of the act. As part of its regulatory and review efforts,
the CRD responds to education agencies, elementary and secondary school
systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary
schools, state VR agencies, libraries and museums. CRD may respond in
regard to programs, projects or activities that include, but are not
limited to: admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs,
student treatment and services, counseling and guidance, discipline,
classroom assignment, grading, vocational education, recreation,
physical education, athletics, housing, and employment.

Examples of the types of discrimination prohibited by Section 504 and
its implementing regulations include denial of equal access to
educational programs and facilities; and denial of a free appropriate
public education for elementary and secondary students with disabilities
and academic adjustments for individuals with disabilities in higher
education. Section 504 and its implementing regulations also prohibit
employment discrimination and retaliation for filing a compliant with
the Department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or for advocating for a
right protected by this provision of the law.

For more information on OCR, visit its Web site at:
[www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/](http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/)
.

### National Council on Disability

## Authorized Under Section 400 of the Act An Independent Federal Agency {#authorized-under-section-400-of-the-act-an-independent-federal-agency .Heading-3}

As an independent agency, the National Council on Disability (NCD)
promotes policies, programs, practices and procedures that guarantee
equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, and that
empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic
self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into
all aspects of society. More specifically, the NCD reviews and evaluates
laws, policies, programs, practices and procedures conducted or assisted
by federal departments or agencies to see if they meet the needs of
individuals with disabilities. The council makes recommendations to the
president, the Congress, the secretary of education, the commissioner of
RSA, the director of NIDRR, and officials of federal agencies based on
those evaluations.

In FY 2003, the council conducted a number of activities designed to
increase consumer input and awareness regarding policy issues affecting
individuals with disabilities. Those activities included dissemination
of information through the conduct of hearings, forums and conferences
throughout the country and through response to thousands of telephone,
e-mail and written inquiries on *ADA* and other disability civil rights
issues.

Appendix A

##  {#section .unnumbered}

# Appendix A

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531496 .anchor}Table A-1 Employment Outcomes |
| (Evaluation Standard 1) of State VR[^26] Agencies --- General and     |
| Combined[^27],\                                                       |
| by Indicator and Jurisdiction, Fiscal Year 2003                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ***Must Pass at Least Four of Six Indicators and Two of Three Primary |
| Indicators.***[^28]                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| ***Performance Level Criteria Are Shown In Parentheses for Each       |
| Indicator.***                                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Agency**          **Indicator 1.1:     **Indicator 1.2:     **Indicator 1.3:       **Indicator 1.4:       **Indicator    **Indicator   **Number of  **Number of
                      Change in Employment Percentage of        Competitive            Significant            1.5: Earnings  1.6: Self     Indicators   Primary
                      Outcomes**[^29]**\   Employment           Employment**[^31]**\   Disability**[^32]**\   ratio**[^33]   support\      in Standard  Indicators
                      (\> 0)**             Outcomes**[^30]**\   (\> 72.6%)**           (\> 62.4%)**           **(\> .52)**   (\> 53.0)**   1 That Were  (1.3 to 1.5)
                                           (\> 55.8%)**                                                                                    Passed**     in Standard 1
                                                                                                                                                        That Were
                                                                                                                                                        Passed**
  ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ --------------
  **Alabama**         6                    70.70                96.83                  89.05                  0.508          81.10         5            2

  **Alaska**          7                    59.30                97.51                  81.76                  0.700          55.88         6            3

  **American Samoa**  19                   97.50                69.23                  96.30                  N/A            92.59         5            2

  **Arizona**         -179                 37.43                99.16                  83.81                  0.561          63.51         4            3

  **Arkansas**        225                  51.97                99.91                  91.87                  0.685          76.73         5            3

  **California**      663                  54.60                79.71                  99.13                  0.514          70.88         4            2

  **Colorado**        -543                 58.08                88.92                  69.38                  0.534          58.62         5            3

  **Connecticut**     73                   56.09                99.30                  100.00                 0.564          46.61         5            3

  **Delaware**        15                   65.61                98.93                  75.12                  0.451          73.44         5            2

  **District of       20                   62.52                99.31                  85.64                  0.357          83.15         5            2
  Columbia**                                                                                                                                            

  **Florida**         421                  53.38                98.77                  76.56                  0.594          52.56         4            3

  **Georgia**         249                  50.57                85.46                  89.93                  0.467          63.53         4            2

  **Guam**            14                   60.00                91.67                  95.45                  N/A            68.18         6            3

  **Hawaii**          88                   57.73                95.85                  72.25                  0.594          61.62         6            3

  **Idaho**           88                   59.33                99.50                  96.26                  0.624          70.61         6            3

  **Illinois**        -214                 68.77                94.46                  100.00                 0.428          49.73         3            2

  **Indiana**         838                  55.85                93.13                  93.89                  0.656          37.24         5            3

  **Iowa**            -575                 45.27                94.34                  85.47                  0.655          56.76         4            3

  **Kansas**          -116                 53.01                93.31                  93.49                  0.535          60.72         4            3

  **Kentucky**        216                  68.31                95.85                  99.58                  0.631          70.19         6            3

  **Louisiana**       85                   53.89                99.64                  99.64                  0.730          64.29         5            3

  **Maine**           -113                 50.95                97.78                  98.45                  0.617          48.45         3            3

  **Maryland**        -75                  76.93                95.75                  99.78                  0.484          64.89         4            2

  **Massachusetts**   -643                 52.12                96.61                  99.50                  0.511          47.59         2            2

  **Michigan**        -439                 53.78                97.18                  91.80                  0.518          68.07         3            2

  **Minnesota**       -225                 54.55                95.01                  100.00                 0.523          54.20         4            3

  **Mississippi**     0                    69.36                97.64                  95.81                  0.708          67.90         6            3

  **Missouri**        438                  78.66                95.58                  81.12                  0.531          57.10         6            3

  **Montana**         -17                  62.88                95.68                  78.98                  0.672          54.69         5            3

  **Nebraska**        -54                  57.49                96.52                  100.00                 0.583          59.24         5            3

  **Nevada**          -49                  51.61                96.82                  92.03                  0.567          60.02         4            3

  **New Hampshire**   -77                  77.44                92.70                  97.15                  0.547          45.46         4            3

  **New Jersey**      -100                 60.67                99.46                  90.02                  0.467          66.67         4            2

  **New Mexico**      49                   59.87                97.84                  89.39                  0.642          57.68         6            3

  **New York**        436                  57.66                92.43                  96.66                  0.417          63.72         5            2

  **North Carolina**  -232                 54.12                99.00                  66.44                  0.526          63.52         4            3

  **North Dakota**    -39                  67.40                93.37                  82.07                  0.694          55.29         5            3

  **Northern Mariana  15                   60.38                68.75                  86.36                  N/A            4.55          4            2
  Islands**                                                                                                                                             

  **Ohio**            208                  59.39                96.42                  100.00                 0.612          52.77         5            3

  **Oklahoma**        -656                 43.77                96.22                  85.70                  0.644          61.65         4            3

  **Oregon**          -26                  59.77                99.48                  95.71                  0.590          77.65         5            3

  **Pennsylvania**    17                   62.42                94.69                  99.81                  0.545          58.00         6            3

  **Puerto Rico**     93                   72.45                91.40                  67.01                  0.725          89.15         6            3

  **Rhode Island**    34                   59.31                94.88                  99.48                  0.565          59.23         6            3

  **South Carolina**  1,055                67.64                99.64                  90.59                  0.628          60.32         6            3

  **South Dakota**    -89                  62.64                98.40                  89.45                  0.601          58.19         5            3

  **Tennessee**       -1,252               57.17                88.05                  85.63                  0.577          74.68         5            3

  **Texas**           -3,523               53.86                99.30                  78.24                  0.519          55.71         3            2

  **Utah**            -199                 60.18                97.54                  87.90                  0.684          69.16         5            3

  **Vermont**         94                   60.17                98.63                  99.00                  0.591          41.06         5            3

  **Virgin Islands**  -18                  60.00                82.05                  59.38                  0.515          59.38         3            1

  **Virginia**        -161                 50.84                89.72                  89.14                  0.481          54.10         3            2

  **Washington**      1,040                48.60                98.05                  99.24                  0.527          58.31         5            3

  **West Virginia**   -330                 70.56                95.19                  88.29                  0.624          64.57         5            3

  **Wisconsin**       141                  47.21                99.24                  94.34                  0.599          55.37         5            3

  **Wyoming**         0                    70.04                97.11                  68.56                  0.597          71.39         6            3
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| []{#__RefHeading___Toc165263898 .anchor}Table A-2 Employment Outcomes |
| (Evaluation Standard 1) of State VR[^34] Agencies Serving the Blind   |
| and Visually Impaired, by Indicator and Jurisdiction, Fiscal Year     |
| 2003                                                                  |
+=======================================================================+
| ***Must Pass at Least Four of Six Indicators and Two of Three Primary |
| Indicators.***[^35]                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| ***Performance Level Criteria Are Shown In Parentheses for Each       |
| Indicator.***                                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Agency**[^36]     **Indicator 1.1:     **Indicator 1.2:     **Indicator 1.3:       **Indicator 1.4:       **Indicator   **Indicator   **Number of  **Number of
                      Change in Employment Percentage of        Competitive            Significant            1.5: Earnings 1.6: Self     Indicators   Primary
                      Outcomes**[^37]**\   Employment           Employment**[^39]**\   Disability**[^40]**\   ratio\        support\      in Standard  Indicators
                      (\> 0)**             Outcomes**[^38]**\   (\> 35.4%)**           (\> 89.0%)**           (\> .59)**    (\> 30.4)**   1 That Were  (1.3 to 1.5)
                                           (\> 68.9%)**                                                                                   Passed**     in Standard
                                                                                                                                                       1 That Were
                                                                                                                                                       Passed**
  ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
  **Arkansas**        11                   84.51                68.33                  95.34                  0.671         33.04         6            3

  **Connecticut**     3                    84.15                46.62                  100.00                 0.661         36.27         6            3

  **Delaware**        4                    55.42                100.00                 100.00                 0.512         36.96         4            2

  **Florida**         -61                  62.27                95.49                  89.23                  0.666         42.96         4            3

  **Idaho**           0                    72.40                54.68                  92.11                  0.658         36.84         6            3

  **Iowa**            -39                  82.39                75.00                  99.52                  0.834         30.43         5            3

  **Kentucky**        7                    79.05                75.90                  100.00                 0.690         34.72         6            3

  **Maine**           10                   77.59                25.19                  99.02                  0.768         30.39         4            2

  **Massachusetts**   -32                  78.13                52.53                  100.00                 0.834         29.95         4            3

  **Michigan**        -41                  62.71                52.35                  99.28                  0.630         34.05         4            3

  **Minnesota**       13                   46.34                96.77                  98.00                  0.676         30.67         5            3

  **Missouri**        -66                  61.71                73.12                  100.00                 0.720         26.26         3            3

  **Nebraska**        -16                  63.64                62.41                  100.00                 0.746         34.94         4            3

  **New Jersey**      -30                  74.27                83.91                  89.24                  0.562         42.47         4            2

  **New Mexico**      4                    44.38                94.94                  100.00                 0.847         61.33         5            3

  **New York**        -355                 79.29                26.02                  93.88                  0.602         24.25         3            2

  **North Carolina**  0                    69.27                92.55                  91.13                  0.570         34.91         5            2

  **Oregon**          -43                  65.75                58.85                  100.00                 0.769         38.94         4            3

  **South Carolina**  128                  68.15                63.49                  85.00                  0.653         35.28         4            2

  **South Dakota**    -25                  78.53                93.53                  93.85                  0.813         38.46         5            3

  **Texas**           -192                 72.29                64.71                  99.82                  0.649         29.23         4            3

  **Vermont**         15                   72.61                56.89                  90.53                  0.824         18.95         5            3

  **Virginia**        10                   70.92                78.95                  99.17                  0.596         39.72         6            3

  **Washington**      -11                  59.47                94.29                  98.27                  0.755         40.69         4            3
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531498 .anchor}Table A-3 Equal Access to
  Service (Evaluation Standard 2) of State VR[^41] AgenciesGeneral and
  Combined[^42], by Indicator and Jurisdiction, Fiscal Year 2003
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Agency**            | **Indicator 2.1:\     | **Minorities Exiting  |
|                       | Minority Service rate | the\                  |
|                       | ratio**[^43]          | VR Program**[^44]     |
|                       |                       |                       |
|                       | **([\>]{.underline}   |                       |
|                       | .80)**                |                       |
+=======================+=======================+=======================+
| **Alabama**           | 1.009                 | 5,549                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Alaska**            | 0.974                 | 493                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **American Samoa**    | [^45]                 | 75[^46]               |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Arizona**           | 0.877                 | 2,268                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Arkansas**          | 0.834                 | 2,094                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **California**        | 0.992                 | 19,042                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Colorado**          | 0.874                 | 2,226                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Connecticut**       | 0.823                 | 1,442                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Delaware**          | 0.935                 | 982                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **District of         | 1.135                 | 2,369                 |
| Columbia**            |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Florida**           | 0.784                 | 11,497                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Georgia**           | 0.952                 | 6,687                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Guam**              | 1.000                 | 90\*                  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Hawaii**            | 1.084                 | 1,080                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Idaho**             | 1.013                 | 628                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Illinois**          | 0.907                 | 7,285                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Indiana**           | 0.830                 | 2,169                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Iowa**              | 0.818                 | 965                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Kansas**            | 0.858                 | 1,096                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Kentucky**          | 0.912                 | 2,164                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Louisiana**         | 0.889                 | 2,907                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Maine**             | 0.815                 | 78\*                  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Maryland**          | 0.903                 | 4,445                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Massachusetts**     | 0.824                 | 2,565                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Michigan**          | 0.843                 | 5,701                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Minnesota**         | 0.818                 | 2,369                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Mississippi**       | 0.933                 | 4,587                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Missouri**          | 0.773                 | 3,789                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Montana**           | 0.822                 | 411                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Nebraska**          | 0.805                 | 602                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Nevada**            | 0.910                 | 943                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **New Hampshire**     | 0.883                 | 96\*                  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **New Jersey**        | 0.879                 | 4,909                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **New Mexico**        | 0.818                 | 2,993                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **New York**          | 0.892                 | 20,355                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **North Carolina**    | 0.988                 | 11,891                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **North Dakota**      | 0.621                 | 252                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Northern Mariana    | 0.912                 | 94\*                  |
| Islands**             |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Ohio**              | 0.846                 | 5,645                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Oklahoma**          | 0.937                 | 2,472                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Oregon**            | 0.890                 | 1,424                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Pennsylvania**      | 0.918                 | 5,309                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Puerto Rico**       | 3.653                 | 6,143                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Rhode Island**      | 0.859                 | 328                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **South Carolina**    | 0.959                 | 9,636                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **South Dakota**      | 0.813                 | 461                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Tennessee**         | 0.960                 | 3,661                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Texas**             | 0.993                 | 32,747                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Utah**              | 0.970                 | 1,328                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Vermont**           | 0.878                 | 125                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Virgin Islands**    | 2.065                 | 93\*                  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Virginia**          | 1.029                 | 4,563                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Washington**        | 0.986                 | 2,640                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **West Virginia**     | 0.842                 | 342                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Wisconsin**         | 0.874                 | 2,855                 |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| **Wyoming**           | 1.010                 | 221                   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531499                           
  .anchor}Table A-4 Equal Access to                         
  Service (Evaluation Standard 2)                           
  of State VR[^47] Agencies Serving                         
  the Blind and Visually Impaired,                          
  by Indicator and Jurisdiction,                            
  Fiscal Year 2003                                          
  --------------------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  **Agency**[^48]                   **Indicator 2.1:\       **Minorities Exiting
                                    Minority Service rate   the\
                                    ratio**[^49]**\         VR Program**[^50]
                                    ([\>]{.underline}       
                                    .80)**                  

  **Arkansas**                      1.099                   143

  **Connecticut**                   0.714                   49\*[^51]

  **Delaware**                      1.190                   19\*

  **Florida**                       1.052                   668

  **Idaho**                         1.311                   13\*

  **Iowa**                          0.529                   16\*

  **Kentucky**                      0.824                   58\*

  **Maine**                         0.447                   3\*

  **Massachusetts**                 0.922                   55\*

  **Michigan**                      0.827                   226

  **Minnesota**                     0.860                   102

  **Missouri**                      0.833                   177

  **Nebraska**                      0.589                   33\*

  **New Jersey**                    0.892                   290

  **New Mexico**                    1.026                   68\*

  **New York**                      0.738                   774

  **North Carolina**                0.890                   541

  **Oregon**                        0.989                   28\*

  **South Carolina**                0.963                   271

  **South Dakota**                  0.518                   17\*

  **Texas**                         0.767                   2232

  **Vermont**                       1.087                   5\*

  **Virginia**                      0.871                   154

  **Washington**                    0.956                   59\*
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix B

# Appendix B

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  []{#__RefHeading___Toc151531500 .anchor}Table B Employment Outcomes of
  State VR[^52] Agencies: Number and Percentage Change for Individuals
  With Significant Disabilities[^53], by Type of Agency and Jurisdiction,
  Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Agency**          **Fiscal Year  **Employment   **Competitive   **Percentage of
                      and Percentage Outcomes Of    Employment      Employment Outcomes
                      Change**       Individuals    Outcomes for    for Individuals with
                                     with           Individuals     Significant
                                     Significant    with            Disabilities That
                                     Disabilities   Significant     were
                                     and Percentage Disabilities    Competitive**[^54]
                                     Change**       and Percentage  
                                                    Change**        
  ------------------- -------------- -------------- --------------- --------------------
  **U.S. Total**      **2003**       **196,597**    **183,926**     **93.55**

                      **2002**       **195,918**    **180,791**     **92.28**

                      **Percentage   **0.35**       **1.73**        ** **
                      change**                                      

  **Total ---\        **2003**       **188,689**    **178,821**     **94.77**
  General/Combined                                                  
  Agencies**[^55]                                                   

                      **2002**       **187,836**    **175,821**     **93.60**

                      **Percentage   **0.45**       **1.71**        ** **
                      change**                                      

  **Total ---\        **2003**       **7,908**      **5,105**       **64.55**
  Agencies for the                                                  
  Blind**[^56]                                                      

                      **2002**       **8,082**      **4,970**       **61.49**

                      **Percentage   **-2.15**      **2.72**        ** **
                      change**                                      

  **General /                                                       
  Combined Agencies**                                               

  **Alabama**         2003           6,876          6,644           96.63

                      2002           6,821          6,411           93.99

                      Percentage     0.81           3.63             
                      change                                        

  **Alaska**          2003           429            417             97.20

                      2002           412            393             95.39

                      Percentage     4.13           6.11             
                      change                                        

  **American Samoa**  2003           38             26              68.42

                      2002           16             11              68.75

                      Percentage     137.50         136.36           
                      change                                        

  **Arizona**         2003           1,296          1,284           99.07

                      2002           1,293          1,202           92.96

                      Percentage     0.23           6.82             
                      change                                        

  **Arkansas**        2003           2,047          2,045           99.90

                      2002           1,806          1,730           95.79

                      Percentage     13.34          18.21            
                      change                                        

  **California**      2003           13,549         10,780          79.56

                      2002           12,767         10,457          81.91

                      Percentage     6.13           3.09            
                      change                                        

  **Colorado**        2003           1,212          1,058           87.29

                      2002           1,533          1,273           83.04

                      Percentage     -20.94         -16.89          
                      change                                        

  **Connecticut**     2003           1,722          1,710           99.30

                      2002           1,649          1,639           99.39

                      Percentage     4.43           4.33            
                      change                                        

  **Delaware**        2003           635            628             98.90

                      2002           638            585             91.69

                      Percentage     -0.47          7.35            
                      change                                        

  **District of       2003           624            620             99.36
  Columbia**                                                        

                      2002           396            363             91.67

                      Percentage     57.58          70.80           
                      change                                        

  **Florida**         2003           7,662          7,562           98.69

                      2002           7,356          7,276           98.91

                      Percentage     4.16           3.93            
                      change                                        

  **Georgia**         2003           3,695          3,198           86.55

                      2002           3,303          2,801           84.80

                      Percentage     11.87          14.17           
                      change                                        

  **Guam**            2003           23             21              91.30

                      2002           9              7               77.78

                      Percentage     155.56         200.00          
                      change                                        

  **Hawaii**          2003           423            401             94.80

                      2002           321            306             95.33

                      Percentage     31.78          31.05           
                      change                                        

  **Idaho**           2003           1,732          1,723           99.48

                      2002           1,598          1,583           99.06

                      Percentage     8.39           8.84            
                      change                                        

  **Illinois**        2003           9,057          8,555           94.46

                      2002           9,269          8,356           90.15

                      Percentage     -2.29          2.38            
                      change                                        

  **Indiana**         2003           4,540          4,213           92.80

                      2002           3,819          3,453           90.42

                      Percentage     18.88          22.01           
                      change                                        

  **Iowa**            2003           1,795          1,682           93.70

                      2002           2,261          2,102           92.97

                      Percentage     -20.61         -19.98          
                      change                                        

  **Kansas**          2003           1,680          1,566           93.21

                      2002           1,674          1,450           86.62

                      Percentage     0.36           8.00            
                      change                                        

  **Kentucky**        2003           4,754          4,556           95.84

                      2002           4,540          4,318           95.11

                      Percentage     4.71           5.51            
                      change                                        

  **Louisiana**       2003           1,918          1,911           99.64

                      2002           1,826          1,826           100.00

                      Percentage     5.04           4.65            
                      change                                        

  **Maine**           2003           844            825             97.75

                      2002           942            906             96.18

                      Percentage     -10.40         -8.94           
                      change                                        

  **Maryland**        2003           2,891          2,768           95.75

                      2002           2,959          2,865           96.82

                      Percentage     -2.30          -3.39           
                      change                                        

  **Massachusetts**   2003           2,696          2,605           96.62

                      2002           3,170          3,055           96.37

                      Percentage     -14.95         -14.73          
                      change                                        

  **Michigan**        2003           5,698          5,532           97.09

                      2002           5,906          5,736           97.12

                      Percentage     -3.52          -3.56           
                      change                                        

  **Minnesota**       2003           3,346          3,179           95.01

                      2002           3,571          3,370           94.37

                      Percentage     -6.30          -5.67           
                      change                                        

  **Mississippi**     2003           4,263          4,161           97.61

                      2002           3,705          3,536           95.44

                      Percentage     15.06          17.68           
                      change                                        

  **Missouri**        2003           4,536          4,313           95.08

                      2002           3,902          3,727           95.52

                      Percentage     16.25          15.72           
                      change                                        

  **Montana**         2003           737            699             94.84

                      2002           749            678             90.52

                      Percentage     -1.60          3.10            
                      change                                        

  **Nebraska**        2003           1,436          1,386           96.52

                      2002           1,490          1,427           95.77

                      Percentage     -3.62          -2.87           
                      change                                        

  **Nevada**          2003           813            785             96.56

                      2002           812            788             97.04

                      Percentage     0.12           -0.38           
                      change                                        

  **New Hampshire**   2003           1,399          1,295           92.57

                      2002           1,434          1,311           91.42

                      Percentage     -2.44          -1.22           
                      change                                        

  **New Jersey**      2003           3,318          3,303           99.55

                      2002           3,428          3,413           99.56

                      Percentage     -3.21          -3.22           
                      change                                        

  **New Mexico**      2003           1,369          1,339           97.81

                      2002           1,291          1,257           97.37

                      Percentage     6.04           6.52            
                      change                                        

  **New York**        2003           14,520         13,409          92.35

                      2002           13,858         12,615          91.03

                      Percentage     4.78           6.29            
                      change                                        

  **North Carolina**  2003           5,663          5,593           98.76

                      2002           6,470          6,044           93.42

                      Percentage     -12.47         -7.46           
                      change                                        

  **North Dakota**    2003           714            659             92.30

                      2002           760            707             93.03

                      Percentage     -6.05          -6.79           
                      change                                        

  **Northern Mariana  2003           29             19              65.52
  Islands**                                                         

                      2002           17             11              64.71

                      Percentage     70.59          72.73           
                      change                                        

  **Ohio**            2003           7,034          6,782           96.42

                      2002           6,826          6,500           95.22

                      Percentage     3.05           4.34            
                      change                                        

  **Oklahoma**        2003           2,022          1,942           96.04

                      2002           2,619          2,459           93.89

                      Percentage     -22.79         -21.02          
                      change                                        

  **Oregon**          2003           2,600          2,587           99.50

                      2002           2,634          2,535           96.24

                      Percentage     -1.29          2.05            
                      change                                        

  **Pennsylvania**    2003           11,032         10,445          94.68

                      2002           11,002         10,319          93.79

                      Percentage     0.27           1.22            
                      change                                        

  **Puerto Rico**     2003           1,672          1,495           89.41

                      2002           1,550          1250            80.65

                      Percentage     7.87           19.60           
                      change                                        

  **Rhode Island**    2003           602            571             94.85

                      2002           562            503             89.50

                      Percentage     7.12           13.52            
                      change                                        

  **South Carolina**  2003           8,268          8,237           99.63

                      2002           7,000          6,961           99.44

                      Percentage     18.11          18.33            
                      change                                        

  **South Dakota**    2003           672            661             98.36

                      2002           725            709             97.79

                      Percentage     -7.31          -6.77            
                      change                                        

  **Tennessee**       2003           3,082          2,682           87.02

                      2002           3,937          3,545           90.04

                      Percentage     -21.72         -24.34           
                      change                                        

  **Texas**           2003           16,090         15,968          99.24

                      2002           18,579         18,382          98.94

                      Percentage     -13.40         -13.13           
                      change                                        

  **Utah**            2003           2,585          2,514           97.25

                      2002           2,628          2,455           93.42

                      Percentage     -1.64          2.40             
                      change                                        

  **Vermont**         2003           1,303          1,285           98.62

                      2002           1,206          1,181           97.93

                      Percentage     8.04           8.81             
                      change                                        

  **Virginia**        2003           3,534          3,160           89.42

                      2002           3,602          3,204           88.95

                      Percentage     -1.89          -1.37            
                      change                                        

  **Virgin Islands**  2003           25             19              76.00

                      2002           30             22              73.33

                      Percentage     -16.67         -13.64           
                      change                                        

  **Washington**      2003           2,387          2,340           98.03

                      2002           1,327          1,285           96.83

                      Percentage     79.88          82.10            
                      change                                        

  **West Virginia**   2003           1,803          1,712           94.95

                      2002           2,070          1,936           93.53

                      Percentage     -12.90         -11.57           
                      change                                        

  **Wisconsin**       2003           3,495          3,467           99.20

                      2002           3,229          3,071           95.11

                      Percentage     8.24           12.89           
                      change                                        

  **Wyoming**         2003           504            484             96.03

                      2002           539            516             95.73

                      Percentage     -6.49          -6.20           
                      change                                        

  **Agencies for the                                                
  Blind **                                                          

  **Arkansas**        2003           326            242             74.23

                      2002           306            188             61.44

                      Percentage     6.54           28.72            
                      change                                        

  **Connecticut**     2003           210            95              45.24

                      2002           204            98              48.04

                      Percentage     2.94           -3.06            
                      change                                        

  **Delaware**        2003           24             24              100.00

                      2002           22             22              100.00

                      Percentage     9.09           9.09             
                      change                                        

  **Florida**         2003           624            611             97.92

                      2002           705            656             93.05

                      Percentage     -11.49         -6.86            
                      change                                        

  **Idaho**           2003           68             46              67.65

                      2002           65             24              36.92

                      Percentage     4.62           91.67            
                      change                                        

  **Iowa**            2003           135            114             84.44

                      2002           140            92              65.71

                      Percentage     -3.57          23.91            
                      change                                        

  **Kentucky**        2003           355            274             77.18

                      2002           309            230             74.43

                      Percentage     14.89          19.13            
                      change                                        

  **Maine**           2003           202            53              26.24

                      2002           200            48              24.00

                      Percentage     1.00           10.42            
                      change                                        

  **Massachusetts**   2003           189            112             59.26

                      2002           185            85              45.95

                      Percentage     2.16           31.76            
                      change                                        

  **Michigan**        2003           281            157             55.87

                      2002           250            120             48.00

                      Percentage     12.40          30.83            
                      change                                        

  **Minnesota**       2003           126            121             96.03

                      2002           178            173             97.19

                      Percentage     -29.21         -30.06           
                      change                                        

  **Missouri**        2003           342            236             69.01

                      2002           335            259             77.31

                      Percentage     2.09           -8.88            
                      change                                        

  **Nebraska**        2003           66             36              54.55

                      2002           67             47              70.15

                      Percentage     -1.49          -23.40           
                      change                                        

  **New Jersey**      2003           253            215             84.98

                      2002           287            241             83.97

                      Percentage     -11.85         -10.79           
                      change                                        

  **New Mexico**      2003           49             46              93.88

                      2002           30             29              96.67

                      Percentage     63.33          58.62            
                      change                                        

  **New York**        2003           1,459          381             26.11

                      2002           1,612          401             24.88

                      Percentage     -9.49          -4.99            
                      change                                        

  **North Carolina**  2003           613            575             93.80

                      2002           604            545             90.23

                      Percentage     1.49           5.50             
                      change                                        

  **Oregon**          2003           85             54              63.53

                      2002           106            59              55.66

                      Percentage     -19.81         -8.47            
                      change                                        

  **South Carolina**  2003           282            178             63.12

                      2002           209            128             61.24

                      Percentage     34.93          39.06            
                      change                                        

  **South Dakota**    2003           62             58              93.55

                      2002           69             64              92.75

                      Percentage     -10.14         -9.38            
                      change                                        

  **Texas**           2003           1,717          1,126           65.58

                      2002           1,790          1,142           63.80

                      Percentage     -4.08          -1.40            
                      change                                        

  **Vermont**         2003           86             49              56.98

                      2002           69             37              53.62

                      Percentage     24.64          32.43            
                      change                                        

  **Virginia**        2003           230            183             79.57

                      2002           223            174             78.03

                      Percentage     3.14           5.17             
                      change                                        

  **Washington**      2003           124            119             95.97

                      2002           117            108             92.31

                      Percentage     5.98           10.19            
                      change                                        
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix C

# Appendix C

## Definition of *Individual With a Disability* as Listed in Section 7(20) of the *Rehabilitation Act*

**(A) In general**

> Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the term "individual
> with a disability" means any individual who---
>
> **(i)** has a physical or mental impairment which for such individual
> constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and
>
> **(ii)** can benefit in terms of an employment outcome from vocational
> rehabilitation services provided pursuant to Title I, III, or VI.

**(B) Certain programs; limitations on major life activities**

> Subject to subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), and (F), the term "individual
> with a disability" means, for purposes of Sections 2, 14 and 15, and
> Titles II, IV, V, and VII of this act, any person who---
>
> **(i)** has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits
> one of more of such person's major life activities;
>
> **(ii)** has a record of such an impairment; or
>
> **(iii)** is regarded as having such an impairment.

**(C) Rights and advocacy provisions**

> **(i)** In general; exclusion of individuals engaging in drug use
>
> For purposes of Title V, the term "individual with a disability" does
> not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use
> of drugs, when a covered entity acts on the basis of such use.
>
> **(ii)** Exception for individuals no longer engaging in drug use
>
> Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to exclude as an individual
> with a disability an individual who---
>
> **(I)** has successfully completed a supervised drug rehabilitation
> program and is no longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs, or has
> otherwise been rehabilitated successfully and is no longer engaging in
> such use;
>
> **(II)** is participating in a supervised rehabilitation program and
> is no longer engaging in such use; or
>
> **(III)** is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use, but is not
> engaging in such use; except that it shall not be a violation of this
> act for a covered entity to adopt or administer reasonable policies or
> procedures, including but not limited to drug testing, designed to
> ensure that an individual described in subclause (I) or (II) is no
> longer engaging in the illegal use of drugs.
>
> **(iii)** Exclusion for certain services
>
> Notwithstanding clause (i), for purposes of programs and activities
> providing health services and services provided under Titles I, II and
> III, an individual shall not be excluded from the benefits of such
> programs or activities on the basis of his or her current illegal use
> of drugs if he or she is otherwise entitled to such services.
>
> **(iv)** Disciplinary action
>
> For purposes of programs and activities providing educational
> services, local educational agencies may take disciplinary action
> pertaining to the use of possession of illegal drugs or alcohol
> against any student who is an individual with a disability and who
> currently is engaging in the illegal use of drugs or in the use of
> alcohol to the same extent that such disciplinary action is taken
> against students who are not individuals with disabilities.
> Furthermore, the due process procedures at Section 104.36 of Title 34,
> Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation
> or ruling) shall not apply to such disciplinary actions.
>
> **(v)** Employment; exclusion of alcoholics
>
> For purposes of Sections 503 and 504 as such sections relate to
> employment, the term "individual with a disability" does not include
> any individual who is an alcoholic whose current use of alcohol
> prevents such individual from performing the duties of the job in
> question or whose employment, by reason of such current alcohol abuse,
> would constitute a direct threat to property or the safety of others.

**(D) Employment; exclusion of individuals with certain diseases or
infections**

> For the purposes of Section 503 and 504, as such sections relate to
> employment, such terms does not include an individual who has a
> currently contagious disease or infection and who, by reason of such
> disease or infection, would constitute a direct threat to the health
> or safety of other individuals or who, by reason of the currently
> contagious disease or infection, is unable to perform the duties of
> the job.

**(E) Rights provision; exclusion of individual on basis of
homosexuality or bisexuality**

> For purposes of Sections 501, 503, and 504---
>
> **(i)** for purposes of the application of subparagraph (B) to such
> sections, the term "impairment" does not include homosexuality or
> bisexuality; and
>
> **(ii)** therefore the term "individual with a disability" does not
> include an individual on the basis of homosexuality or bisexuality.

**(F) Rights provisions; exclusion of individuals on basis of certain
disorders**

> For the purposes of Sections 501, 503, and 504, the term "individual
> with a disability" does not include an individual on the basis of---
>
> **(i)** transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism,
> voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical
> impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders;
>
> **(ii)** compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or
>
> **(iii)** psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current
> illegal use of drugs.

References

# References

CESSI. 2003. *Evaluation of the Centers for Independent Living Program*,
<http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/rehab/eval-studies.html#il>
(accessed April 19, 2007).

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34-Education (34 CFR), Subtitle
B---Regulations of the Offices of the Department of Education, Chapter
III-OSERS,
<http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_00/34cfrv2_00.html>
(accessed Feb. 14, 2007).

DAI (Development Associates, Inc.). 2003a. *Evaluation of American
Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program.* Available through:
<http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/rehab/eval-studies.html> (accessed
Feb 15, 2007).

\_\_\_\_\_.2003b. *Evaluation of Literacy Demonstration Projects: A
Design Study*. Submitted to the U.S. Department of Education,
Rehabilitation Services Administration under contract
#ED-01-CO-0042/00001.

IRI (Institute on Rehabilitation Issues). 2003. *Distance Education:
Opportunities and Issues for the Public Vocational Rehabilitation
Program*. Available through <http://www.gwu.edu/~iri/publications.htm>
(accessed Feb. 15, 2007).

*Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998* (*Title IV of the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998*), Public Law 105-220, 105th Congress, Aug. 7,
1998. Available through: [http://thomas.loc.gov](http://thomas.loc.gov/)
(accessed March 5, 2007).

RTI (Research Triangle Institute). 2003a. *Evaluation of the Projects
With Industries Program*. Available through:
<http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/rehab/eval-studies.html#pwi>
(accessed April 19, 2007).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003b. *A Longitudinal Study of the Vocational
Rehabilitation Services Program*. Available through:
<http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/leg/rehab/eval-studies.html#vr>
(accessed April 19, 2007).

\_\_\_\_\_. Forthcoming, a. *Variables Related to State VR Agency
Performance*. To be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education,
Rehabilitation Services Administration under contract
#ED-01-CO-0052/0005.

\_\_\_\_\_. Forthcoming, b. *An Evaluation of the Florida Privatization
Initiative*. To be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education,
Rehabilitation Services Administration under contract
#ED-01-CO-0052/0002.

\_\_\_\_\_. Forthcoming, c. *Providing Technical Support for
Reauthorization Issues and Standards and Indicators*. To be submitted to
the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration
under contract #ED-01-CO-0052/0006.

\_\_\_\_\_. Forthcoming, d. *Support for Analyzing Data, Completing
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Database*. To be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education,
Rehabilitation Services Administration under contract
#ED-01-CO-0052/0010.

\_\_\_\_\_. Forthcoming, e. *Assisting RSA Discretionary Grantees to
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be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation
Services Administration under contract #ED-01-CO-0052/0011.

\_\_\_\_\_. Forthcoming, f. *Design of a Second Longitudinal Study of
the VR Services Program*. To be submitted to the U.S. Department of
Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration under contract
#ED-01-CO-0052/0012.

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (USED/NIDRR). 2006a. "National Institute on
Disability and Rehabilitation Research---Notice of Long-Range Plan for
Fiscal Years 2005-2009," *Federal Register* 71:31 (Feb. 15, 2006):
8166-8199,
http://[www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2006-1/021506d.pdf](http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2006-1/021506d.pdf)
(accessed Feb. 21, 2007).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2006b. Center of Excellence Model. Selected fiscal years.
Washington, D.C. (Unpublished program files).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003. *NIDRR Annual Performance Report*. Fiscal years 2002
and 2003. Washington, D.C. (Unpublished program files).

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration
(USED/RSA). 2006*. RSA Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2002: Report on
Federal Activities Under the Rehabilitation Act*. Available through:
<http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/products.html> (accessed
April 19, 2007).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003a. Case Service Report (RSA 911). Selected fiscal years.
Washington, D.C. (Unpublished program files).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003b. Quarterly Cumulative Caseload Report (RSA-113).
Selected fiscal years. Washington, D.C. (Unpublished program files).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003c. Program Assessment Rating Tool---State Vocational
Rehabilitation Services and Supported Employment, 2003. Available at:
<http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/2003report/edlite-statevocational.html>
(accessed March 6, 2007).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003d. American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Yearly Performance Report. Selected fiscal years. Washington, D.C.
(Unpublished program files).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003e. Program Performance Management Database, Fiscal Years
2001-03. Washington, D.C. (Unpublished program files).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003f. Projects With Industry Annual Compliance Indicators
and Annual Evaluation Plan Report. Fiscal years 2002 and 2003.
Washington, D.C. (Unpublished program files).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2003g. Report of Vending Facility Program, RSA-15.
Washington, D.C. (Unpublished program files).

---------. 2003h. RSA Annual Performance Report. Washington, D.C.
(Unpublished program files).

\_\_\_\_\_. 2002. Program Assessment Rating Tool---State Vocational
Rehabilitation Services (including Supported Employment), 2002.
Available at:
<http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/2002report/edlite-vr.html>
(accessed March 5, 2007).

U.S. Department of Labor. 2003. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Average
Annual Pay by State and Industry, 2003,"
http://[www.bls.gov/news.release/annpay.toc.htm](http://www.bls.gov/news.release/annpay.toc.htm)
(accessed April 20, 2007).

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[^1]: An individual with a disability is defined, for purposes of
    programs funded under the act, at Section 7(20) of the act (see
    Appendix C: Definition of "Individual With a Disability" as listed
    in Section 7(20) of the *Rehabilitation Act*).

[^2]: Employment outcome means: with respect to an individual, entering
    or retaining full-time or, if appropriate, part-time competitive
    employment ... in the integrated labor market, supported employment,
    or any other type of employment in an integrated setting, including
    self-employment, telecommuting or business ownership, that is
    consistent with an individual's strengths, resources, priorities,
    concerns, abilities, capabilities, interest and informed choice,
    according to the program regulations at 34 CFR 361.5(b)(16).

[^3]: States include, in addition to each of the several states of the
    United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
    Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and
    the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, according to
    Section 7(32) of the act.

[^4]: The program regulations at 34 CFR 361.5(b)(31) defines an
    individual with a significant disability as an individual with a
    disability:

    Who has a severe physical or mental impairment that seriously limits
    one of more functional capacities (such as mobility, communication,
    self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance or
    work skills) in terms of an employment outcome;

    Whose vocational rehabilitation can be expected to require multiple
    vocational rehabilitation services over an extended period of time;
    and

    Who has one or more physical or mental disabilities resulting from
    amputation, arthritis, autism, blindness, burn injury, cancer,
    cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, deafness, head injury, heart
    disease, hemiplegia, hemophilia, respiratory or pulmonary
    dysfunction, mental retardation, mental illness, multiple sclerosis,
    muscular dystrophy, musculo-skeletal disorders, neurological
    disorders (including stroke and epilepsy), paraplegia, quadriplegia,
    and other spinal cord conditions, sickle cell anemia, specific
    learning disability, end-stage renal disease, or another disability
    or combination of disabilities determined on the basis of an
    assessment for determining eligibility and vocation rehabilitation
    needs to cause comparable substantial functional limitation.

[^5]: Individual with a most significant disability means an individual
    with a significant disability who meets the designated state unit's
    criteria for an individual with a most significant disability. These
    criteria must be consistent with the requirements in 34 CFR
    361.36(d)(1) and (2).

[^6]: The program regulations at 34 CFR 361.5(b)(11) define competitive
    employment as work:

    In the competitive labor market that is performed on a full-time or
    part-time basis in an integrated setting; and

    For which an individual is compensated at or above the minimum wage,
    but not less than the customary wage and level of benefits paid by
    the employer for the same or similar work performed by individuals
    who are not disabled.

[^7]: For purposes of calculating this indicator, the numerator for the
    service rate is the number of individuals whose service records are
    closed after they receive services under an IPE whether or not they
    achieved an employment outcome; the denominator is the number of all
    individuals whose records are closed after they applied for services
    whether or not they had an IPE.

[^8]: Extended employment is defined as work in a nonintegrated or
    sheltered setting for a public or private nonprofit agency or
    organization that provides compensation in accordance with the Fair
    Labor Standards Act. See 34 CFR 361.5(b)(19). Although extended
    employment is no longer an allowable employment outcome under the VR
    program, state VR agencies may continue to serve eligible
    individuals who choose to continue to train or otherwise prepare for
    competitive employment in an extended employment setting, unless the
    individual through informed choice chooses to remain in extended
    employment.

[^9]: ^\*^ See definition in footnote 6 on page 16.

[^10]: ^\*^ For definition, see footnote 5 on page 12.

[^11]: Extended services is defined in the program regulations at 34 CFR
    361.5(b)(20) as ongoing support services and other appropriate
    services that are needed to support and maintain an individual with
    a most significant disability in supported employment and that are
    provided by a state agency, a private nonprofit organization,
    employer or any other appropriate resource, from funds other than
    funds received under this part and 34 CFR Part 363 after an
    individual with a most significant disability has made the
    transition from support provided by the designated state unit.

[^12]: ^\*^ For definition, see footnote 5 on page 12.

[^13]: Cross-disability means: with respect to a center for independent
    living, that a center provides IL services to individuals
    representing a range of significant disabilities and does not
    require the presence of one or more specific significant
    disabilities before determining that an individual is eligible for
    IL services (according to the program regulations at 34 CFR Section
    364.4).

[^14]: ^\*^ See definition of *state* in footnote 3 on page 11.

[^15]: Short-term outcomes, as defined in the NIDRR final long-range
    plan for fiscal years 2005-09 (USED/NIDRR 2006), refer to
    advancements in understanding, knowledge, skills, and learning
    systems that result from the successful implementation of program
    activities and the use of program outputs. Within the context of
    disability and rehabilitation research, the NIDRR long-range plan
    and Logic Model identify three short-term outcome arenas,
    corresponding to the agency's strategic goals and investments in the
    functional program areas of (1) Capacity-building; (2) Research and
    Development; and (3) Knowledge translation.

[^16]: Intermediate outcomes refer to changes in policy, practice,
    behavior and system capacity that occur in part as a result of the
    external use of adoption of NIDRR-funded outputs and advances in
    knowledge. Unlike short-term outcomes, intermediate outcomes are
    under the indirect influence of program activities and outputs, and
    because of this NIDRR can only partially influence these outcomes,
    and thus cannot be held accountable to the same degree as for
    short-term outcomes (USED/NIDRR 2006).

[^17]: Rehabilitation Research Training Center on Persons with Long-Term
    Mental Illness, Boston University, MA (Sally Rogers, Sc.D.,
    principal investigator).

[^18]: Rehabilitation Research Training Center on Persons with Long-Term
    Mental Illness, Boston University, MA (Sally Rogers, Sc.D.,
    principal investigator).

[^19]: Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Information
    Technology Access at the Trace Center, University of Wisconsin
    (Gregg Vanderheiden, Ph.D., principal investigator).

[^20]: Center for International Rehabilitation Research, SUNY, Buffalo,
    NY (John Stone, principal investigator).

[^21]: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Northern California
    TBI Model Systems, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, GA (Jeffrey
    Englander, M.D.; Karyl M. Hall, Ed.D., principal investigators).

[^22]: Southeast DBTAC at CATEA, Georgia Institute of Technology
    (Shelley Kaplan, principal investigator).

[^23]: Northwest ADA/IT Center at Oregon Health and Science University,
    Portland, OR (Charles Drum, JD, Ph.D., principal investigator).

[^24]: Sendero Group, LLC, Davis, CA (Michael May, principal
    investigator).

[^25]: SBIR, Intelligent Automation, Inc., Programmable Manipulatives to
    Improve Language, Sequencing, and Imaginative Play Skills in
    Children with Autism, Rockville, MD (Shannon Mayhew,
    principal investigator).

[^26]: ^a^ VR -- Vocational Rehabilitation

[^27]: ^b^ General agencies serve persons with various disabilities
    other than blindness and/or visual impairments. Combined agencies
    service all individuals with disabilities including persons who are
    blind and visually impaired.

[^28]: ^c^ Minimum performance level criteria for each standard and
    indicator were established by the Rehabilitation Services
    Administration and published in the *Federal Register* on June 5,
    2000 (34 CFR Part 361).

[^29]: ^d^ To pass this indicator, the number of individuals exiting the
    VR program securing employment during the current performance period
    must be at least the same as the number of individuals exiting the
    VR program employed during the previous performance period.

[^30]: ^e^ Percentage who have received employment outcomes after
    provision of VR services.

[^31]: ^f^ Percentage of employed individuals who exit the VR program
    and are placed in an integrated setting, self-employment, or BEP
    (Business Enterprise Program, also known as the Vending Facility
    Program) with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage.

[^32]: ^g^ Significant disabilities are severe physical or mental
    impairments caused by certain conditions that seriously limit one or
    more functional capacities and require multiple VR services over an
    extended period of time.

[^33]: ^h^ No state wage data exists for Guam, Northern Mariana Islands
    and American Samoa. Therefore, Indicator 1.5 cannot be computed for
    these VR agencies.

    **Source:** USED/RSA 2003a.

[^34]: ^a^ VR -- Vocational Rehabilitation

[^35]: ^b^ Minimum performance level criteria for each standard and
    indicator were established by the Rehabilitation Services
    Administration and published in the *Federal Register* on June 5,
    2000 (34 CFR Part 361).

[^36]: ^c^ Separate agencies in 24 states providing specialized services
    to blind and visually impaired persons.

[^37]: ^d^ To pass this indicator, the number of individuals exiting the
    VR program securing employment during the current performance period
    must be at least the same as the number of individuals exiting the
    VR program employed during the previous performance period and
    hence, comparison of the two elements must yield a number greater
    than or equal to zero.

[^38]: ^e^ Percentage who have received employment outcomes after
    provision of VR services.

[^39]: ^f^ Percentage of employed individuals who exit the VR program
    and are placed in an integrated setting, self-employment, or BEP
    (Business Enterprise Program, also known as the Vending Facility
    Program) with earnings equivalent to at least the minimum wage.

[^40]: ^g^ Significant disabilities are severe physical or mental
    impairments caused by certain conditions that seriously limit one or
    more functional capacities and require multiple VR services over an
    extended period of time.

    **Source:** USED/RSA 2003a.

[^41]: ^a^ VR -- Vocational Rehabilitation

[^42]: ^b^ General agencies serve persons with various disabilities
    other than blindness and/or other visual impairments. Combined
    agencies serve all individuals with disabilities including persons
    who are blind and visually impaired.

[^43]: ^c^ Minority service rate ratio is the ratio of the percentage of
    minorities exiting the VR program who received services to the
    percentage of nonminorities exiting the program who received
    services. Minimum performance level criterion for this standard and
    indicator (as shown in parentheses) was established by the
    Rehabilitation Services Administration and published in the *Federal
    Register* on June 5, 2000 (34 CFR Part 361).

[^44]: ^d^ Total number of individuals from minority populations exiting
    the VR program during the performance period.

[^45]: ^e^ Ratio not computed when service rate (minority or
    nonminority) equals 0.

[^46]: ^\*^ Fewer than 100 individuals from minority populations exiting
    the program.

    **Source:** USED/RSA 2003a.

[^47]: ^a^ VR -- Vocational Rehabilitation

[^48]: ^b^ Separate agencies in 24 states providing specialized services
    to blind and visually impaired persons.

[^49]: ^c^ Minority service rate ratio is the ratio of the percentage of
    minorities exiting the VR program who received services to the
    percentage of nonminorities exiting the program who received
    services. Minimum performance level criterion for this standard and
    indicator (as shown in parentheses) was established by the
    Rehabilitation Services Administration and published in the *Federal
    Register* on June 5, 2000 (34 CFR Part 361).

[^50]: ^d^ Total number of individuals from minority populations exiting
    the VR program during the performance period.

[^51]: ^\*^ Fewer than 100 individuals from minority populations exiting
    the program.

    **Source:** USED/RSA 2003a.

[^52]: ^a^ VR -- Vocational Rehabilitation

[^53]: ^b^ Significant disabilities are severe physical or mental
    impairments caused by certain conditions that seriously limit one or
    more functional capacities and require multiple VR services over an
    extended period of time.

[^54]: ^c^ Percentage = Competitive employment outcomes of individuals
    with significant disabilities

    > Total employment outcomes

[^55]: ^d^ General agencies serve people with various disabilities other
    than blindness and/or other visual impairments. Combined agencies
    serve all individuals with disabilities including persons who are
    blind and visually impaired.

[^56]: ^e^ Separate agencies in 24 states providing specialized services
    to blind and visually impaired persons.

    **Source:** USED/RSA 2003a.