Identification of the causes and consequences of disability; Several Federal and state agencies operate or fund programs that relate directly to the employment of people with disabilities. These organizations are discussed below.
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) is located in the US Department of Education, Office of Special Educational and Rehabilitative Services. It administers research programs including those authorized under Sections 202 and 204 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. The mission of the Institute is to provide leadership and resources for research and to improve the lives of people with physical and mental disabilities, especially the severely disabled. It focuses on:
Identification of the causes and consequences of disability;
Maximization of the healthy physical and emotional status of persons with disabilities, their functional ability, self-sufficiency, self-development, and personal autonomy;
Prevention or minimization of personal and family, physical, mental, social, educational, vocational, and economic effects of disability; and
Reduction and elimination of physical, social, educational, vocational and environmental barriers to facilitate access to service and assistance, and to allow persons with disabilities greater use of their abilities in daily life.
The United States Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, provides the legislative basis for Federal programs that assist individuals with disabilities to pursue gainful employment, independence, self-sufficiency and full integration into community life. The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the U.S. Department of Education is the Federal agency which oversees formula and discretionary grant programs that fund such supports as rehabilitation counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other individualized services to help carry out the objectives of this legislation.
RSA's major Title I formula grant program provides funds to state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies to provide employment-related services for individuals with disabilities, giving priority to individuals who are significantly disabled.
In
The Rehabilitation Council was originally established by the State Education Department's Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) in 1992 to fulfill the requirements of the Federal Rehabilitation Act amendments of 1992. The authorized purpose of the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council (SRAC) was to review, analyze, and advise the vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency regarding the performance of its responsibilities under Title 1 of the Rehabilitation Act.
The 1998 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act were incorporated as Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), enacted in July 1998. Section 105 changed the SRAC to the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) to reflect the expanded role and responsibilities of the Council beyond that of advisory.
In
The State Rehabilitation Council – CBVH was established to fulfill the requirements of the Federal Rehabilitation Act. The Council's primary purpose is to review, analyze and advise CBVH about the operational performance of the vocational rehabilitation program for individuals who are blind or visually handicapped.
The New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. is made up of representatives, a majority of whom have disabilities, from around the State, who are appointed by the Board of Regents. It is a not-for-profit, non-Governmental, consumer with disabilities controlled organization. The Council monitors Federally funded Independent Living Centers in New York State, promotes the independent living philosophy statewide, and provides support and technical assistance to the 37 Independent Living Centers (ILC) in New York State.
Independent Living Councils are established under Title VII of Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The Council is jointly responsible, with the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) and the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), for the development of a State Plan for Independent Living as prescribed in the federal Rehabilitation Act.
The NYS Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities serves people with mental disabilities and their families by providing independent oversight of the quality and cost-effectiveness of services provided by all mental hygiene programs in
The Advocacy Services Bureau of CQC administers nine distinct advocacy programs for persons with disabilities. Those related to access to employment and employment services are described below.
1. The Client Assistance Program (CAP) provides New Yorkers who have any type of disability with information and assistance in securing training and services leading to employment and independent living. CAP staff can provide information on funding and services to assist consumers in achieving employment and independent living goals.
The Commission administers the Client Assistance Program (CAP), as authorized and funded by the Rehabilitation Act. The Rehabilitation Act provides Federal funding for states to provide a broad range of services leading to employment and independent living. A CAP program that provides legal and advocacy services to persons receiving services must be available to applicants and consumers of vocational rehabilitation services in order to receive Rehabilitation Act funds.
The Commission's CAP program is available free of charge to adults seeking information and referral; applying for VESID and CBVH services; or in the process of receiving VESID or CBVH services. CAP is also available to assist students in transition from school to adult life with training and services leading to employment, and in resolving complaints with Independent Living Centers.
Almost all the Commission's CAP funding is used to support regionally subcontracted offices. The system is designed to provide for individualized advocacy, outreach and legal support. Most CAP outreach offices are located in Independent Living Centers where there is access to related services that promote successful employment. The bulk of CAP day-to-day business is assisting persons with disabilities in getting vocational rehabilitation services and employment services from VESID or CBVH.
2. Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) was established pursuant to the federal Ticket To Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, to provide advocacy services to assist recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in obtaining, maintaining, and regaining employment.
The PABSS advocacy program works to identify and remove barriers to employment and assist eligible individuals working towards self-sufficiency. The Commission and its regional service offices investigate complaints of inappropriate or inadequate services and assist individuals with disabilities in decision-making, technical assistance and dispute resolution.
3. Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) was established pursuant to the Federal Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act). This act requires States to provide funding to establish protection and advocacy programs to advocate for persons with disabilities seeking technology or related services. The Tech Act provides federal funds to states to encourage the delivery of technology to persons with disabilities. Funding comes to
CQC provides funding for several technology centers throughout the state that provide assistance in matching technology to persons and assistance in obtaining services. The CQC also funds Neighborhood Legal Services in
The federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is responsible for implementation and administration of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) and the disability provisions of the Help America Vote Act. The ADD is located within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is part of the Department’s Administration for Children and Families.
ADD’s mission is to improve and increase services to and assure that individuals with developmental disabilities: have opportunities to make their own choices; contribute to society; have supports to live independently; and are free of abuse, neglect, financial and sexual exploitation, and violations of their legal and human rights.
The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-402) contains four grant programs designed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities in reaching goals relating to prevention, diagnosis, early intervention, therapy, education, training, employment, health care and community living and leisure opportunities. Grants fund activities in eight areas of emphasis: quality assurance, education and early intervention, child care, health, employment, housing, transportation and recreation activities.
These four grant programs provide funds for:
State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD).
Protection and Advocacy (P&A) systems to protect the legal and human rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs).
Projects of National Significance (PNS) - a discretionary program providing ADD with the opportunity to focus funds on emerging areas of concern.
The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) is funded under the Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. The DDPC is responsible for developing new ways to improve the delivery of services and supports to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council focuses on community involvement, employment, recreation and housing issues faced by New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families. The DDPC administers grant programs that fund such activities as:
Demonstration programs;
Training for families and staff;
Outreach to unserved/underserved populations;
Support to communities;
Interagency collaboration and coordination; and
Systems design and redesign.
Mental Hygiene Legal Service (MHLS) is responsible for protecting and advocating for the rights of people who reside, or alleged to be in need of care and treatment, in facilities licensed to provide services for mental illness, developmental disabilities or chemical dependence. It is also responsible for protecting and advocating for individuals who may otherwise become subject to substituted decision making, either by virtue of becoming a ward of the court, by guardianship proceeding, or by virtue of being made subject to other specific substitute decision making authority or involuntary outpatient treatment, allowed and put in place by the laws of New York State.
MHLS was established in 1965 as the Mental Health Information Service. The Agency’s original purpose was to act as the guardian of due process rights for the mentally disabled institutionalized by operation of the Mental Hygiene Law. Over time MHLS has been assigned more duties, especially in the area of guardianship, involuntary outpatient treatment, and new legislation dealing with the rights of the mentally disabled in the community. The agency became Mental Hygiene Legal Service in 1986. By State law, MHLS is placed in the judicial branch of
The mission of the Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) is to help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. For veterans with service-connected disabilities so severe that they cannot immediately consider work, VR&E offers services to improve their ability to live as independently as possible.
Services that may be provided by VR&E include:
Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, interests, and needs;
Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning;
Employment services such as job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance;
Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives;
Training such as On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences;
If needed, post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school;
Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and referral; and
Independent living services.
   |