WHAT IS REHABILITATION?

Rehabilitation is the process of restoring or creating within an individual with a disability the highest degree of independence and integration within their community. The measurable outcomes are competitive integrated employment and independent living. Key terms currently focusing the rehabilitation process include: consumer choice and control, community integration and inclusion, collaboration, community partnerships, and "seamless service systems". To find out more about rehabilitation of persons with disabilities our distance learning "Orientation To Rehabilitation" is a good short introduction to the field, including history, values, personal stories, medical and psychological issues, and outcomes.

WHAT IS THE PUBLIC REHABILITATION PROGRAM?

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, amended in 1998, is the Law passed by the Congress of the United States governing the Federally mandated "Public Rehabilitation Program". The Rehabilitation Act provides the authorization for the more than $3 Billion State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living programs. Every State has a Vocational Rehabilitation program and Independent Living Centers serving the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. The specific goals of the Public Rehabilitation Program are to maximize the employment and independent living outcomes of persons with disabilities. It is the oldest Federally sponsored social service program dating to 1918. It has bi-partisan political support and has continuous grown to its current size. The Rehabilitation Act, along with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) form the statutory base for not only services for citizens with disabilities, but also the guarantees of Civil Rights.

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