PaRC Federal Position Papers
PaRC attends NRA Conference and Delivers Position Papers
PaRC members attended the National Rehabilitation Association Conference from March 9 - 11, 2008 in Alexandria, VA. After the conference, members delivered the position papers below that were developed by the PaRC to twenty-one Congressional Offices on the Hill.
REAUTHORIZATION OF THE REHABILITATION ACT
(Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act)
The Rehabilitation Act as it exists provides states the freedom to administer programs which are responsive to the needs of its customers. It is essential that a dedicated funding stream from the federal government continue in Pennsylvania. In 2007 alone, the federal, state and local taxes paid by competitively employed customers of OVR throughout Pennsylvania averaged approximately $58,562,473.00. Unlike most benefits legislation, the goal of the Rehabilitation Act is to help individuals become taxpayers and not tax users.
The Rehabilitation Act must be strengthened to provide customers greater flexibility and control over the services and programs available to them.
In this Reauthorization period we urge you to support the following:
- Keep public VR a mandatory program with single source funding;
- Dramatically Increase funding to help support states such as Pennsylvania who are handling an increased need for vocational rehabilitation services for the national guard troops returning from combat;
- Improve transition services for individuals with disabilities who are transitioning from school to higher education or from school to work;
- Increase funding for the aging baby boomer population;
- Promote career development and job advancement through the opportunity for post employment continuing education and training by expanding the definition of "post employment services" to include "training and other services necessary for career advancement and upward mobility". See 29 U.S.C. § 723(a)(18)
- Clarify when individuals must be advised of the right to request review of a decision made by vocational rehabilitation, and when they must be informed of the services available through the Client Assistance Program (section 722(c)(2)(A) and (B))
- Protect the due process rights of individuals who may want to request review of a vocational rehabilitation decision by requiring notification of state established timeframes in which a request for mediation or review must be filed (section 722(c)(3)(A))
- Require training of all impartial due process hearing officers and staff (section 722(c)(5)(B))
- Expand the role of the Client Assistance Program to allow for advocacy and assistance even after an individual has achieved their employment outcome, and to allow CAP to provide legal representation to individuals in any matter related to the provision of vocational rehabilitation services and/or efforts to gain, regain or maintain employment (section 732)
In addition, the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council urges your support of the following bills:
- HR 3195 + S 1881: The American with Disabilities Restoration Act
- HR 1424: To require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans
- S 2121: Caregiver Support Act
- HR 526: Full funding for assistance for the education of children with disabilities
- HR 627: Full funding for elementary and secondary education
- S 1194: Improve No Child Left Behind
- HR 3985: Over the Road Transportation Accessibility Act
