Sponsors: Congressman Howard P. McKeon (California)

Cosponsors: 7

Summary: The sponsors of this bill seek to make the federal workforce investment system more effective, accountable and accessible, and to improve the system's outreach to youth.

Comments: The purpose of the Rehabilitation Act, originally passed in 1973, is to "promote and expand employment opportunities in the public and private sectors" for people with disabilities. In 1998, Congress enacted the Workforce Reinvestment Act to consolidate various employment training, counseling, literacy and vocational rehabilitation programs into One-Stop Delivery Systems. Vocational Rehabilitation agencies were included as one of several participating agencies.

Many advocates oppose the bill's proposal to fund infrastructure improvements by transferring funds from all Workforce Investment Act partner agencies such as Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. They argue that since the partner agencies' budgets are already limited and strained, accessibility improvements should be funded in a more appropriate manner. Specifically, advocates maintain that any funds transferred from the Vocational Rehabilitation Administration to joint One-Stop programs should be spent only on improving services to people with disabilities. Similarly, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, the ARC, and United Cerebral Palsy, along with other organizations, oppose the proposal in the bill to target 75% of youth employment training funds for youth in out-of-school programs. They argue that this proposal will take funds away from critical transitional programs serving students with disabilities who are preparing to move from public school to independence and self-sufficiency. Advocates acknowledge that both targeted groups are under-served and that funding must be sufficient to address the serious problem of unemployment among all youth with disabilities. However, national advocacy groups insist that the legislation must support school systems that educate youth with disabilities in an inclusive setting as they prepare these students for graduation and transition to adult life.

Finally, many advocates oppose the bill's proposal to diminish the role of the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, demoting the position to that of a Director within the Department of Education.

Current Status: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Summary of Legislative Activity:
3/13/03 Introduced

5/8/03 Passed House 220-204