§ 701. Findings; purpose; policy

§ 701. Findings; purpose; policy

(a) Findings Congress finds that—

(1) millions of Americans have one or more physical or mental disabilities and the number of Americans with such disabilities is increasing;

(2) individuals with disabilities constitute one of the most disadvantaged groups in society;

(3) disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to—

(A) live independently;

(B) enjoy self-determination;

(C) make choices;

(D) contribute to society;

(E) pursue meaningful careers; and

(F) enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society;

(4) increased employment of individuals with disabilities can be achieved through implementation of statewide workforce development systems defined in section 3102 of this title that provide meaningful and effective participation for individuals with disabilities in workforce investment activities and activities carried out under the vocational rehabilitation program established under subchapter I, and through the provision of independent living services, support services, and meaningful opportunities for employment in integrated work settings through the provision of reasonable accommodations;

(5) individuals with disabilities continually encounter various forms of discrimination in such critical areas as employment, housing, public accommodations, education, transportation, communication, recreation, institutionalization, health services, voting, and public services;

(6) the goals of the Nation properly include the goal of providing individuals with disabilities with the tools necessary to—

(A) make informed choices and decisions; and

(B) achieve equality of opportunity, full inclusion and integration in society, employment, independent living, and economic and social self-sufficiency, for such individuals; and

(7)

(A) a high proportion of students with disabilities is leaving secondary education without being employed in competitive integrated employment, or being enrolled in postsecondary education; and

(B) there is a substantial need to support such students as they transition from school to postsecondary life.

(b) Purpose The purposes of this chapter are—

(1) to empower individuals with disabilities to maximize employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into society, through—

(A) statewide workforce development systems defined in section 3102 of this title that include, as integral components, comprehensive and coordinated state-of-the-art programs of vocational rehabilitation;

(B) independent living centers and services;

(C) research;

(D) training;

(E) demonstration projects; and

(F) the guarantee of equal opportunity;

(2) to maximize opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including individuals with significant disabilities, for competitive integrated employment;

(3) to ensure that the Federal Government plays a leadership role in promoting the employment of individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with significant disabilities, and in assisting States and providers of services in fulfilling the aspirations of such individuals with disabilities for meaningful and gainful employment and independent living;

(4) to increase employment opportunities and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities, including through encouraging meaningful input by employers and vocational rehabilitation service providers on successful and prospective employment and placement strategies; and

(5) to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that youth with disabilities and students with disabilities who are transitioning from receipt of special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) and receipt of services under section 794 of this title have opportunities for postsecondary success.

(c) Policy It is the policy of the United States that all programs, projects, and activities receiving assistance under this chapter shall be carried out in a manner consistent with the principles of—

(1) respect for individual dignity, personal responsibility, self-determination, and pursuit of meaningful careers, based on informed choice, of individuals with disabilities;

(2) respect for the privacy, rights, and equal access (including the use of accessible formats), of the individuals;

(3) inclusion, integration, and full participation of the individuals;

(4) support for the involvement of an individual’s representative if an individual with a disability requests, desires, or needs such support; and

(5) support for individual and systemic advocacy and community involvement.

(Pub. L. 93–112, § 2, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 403, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1095; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 402(b)(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–413; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 402, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1631.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is title VI of Pub. L. 91–230, Apr. 13, 1970, 84 Stat. 175, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1400 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1400 of Title 20 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 701, Pub. L. 93–112, § 2, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 357; Pub. L. 95–602, title I, § 122(a)(1), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2984; Pub. L. 99–506, title I, § 101, Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1808; Pub. L. 102–569, title I, § 101, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4346, related to findings, purpose, and policy, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 403, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1093.

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 113–128, § 402(a)(1), substituted “workforce development systems defined in section 3102 of this title” for “workforce investment systems under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998”.

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 113–128, § 402(a)(2)–(4), added par. (7).

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 113–128, § 402(b)(1)(A), substituted “workforce development systems defined in section 3102 of this title” for “workforce investment systems implemented in accordance with title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998”.

Subsec. (b)(2) to (5). Pub. L. 113–128, § 402(b)(1)(B), (2)–(5), added par. (2), redesignated former par. (2) as (3), and added pars. (4) and (5).

1998—Pub. L. 105–277 made technical amendment in original to section designation and catchline.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–213, § 1, July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2343, provided that: “This Act [enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 796f–1 and 796f–2 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Independent Living Centers Technical Adjustment Act’.”

Short Title of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 401, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1092, provided that title IV of Pub. L. 105–220 could be cited as the “Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998”, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 511(a), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1705.

Short Title of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–73, § 1, Aug. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 718, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 753 and 753a of this title, amending sections 706, 718 to 718b, 721 to 723, 725, 730 to 732, 744, 761a, 762, 771a, 777, 777a, 777f, 783, 791, 792, 794e, 795l, 796, 796c, 796d to 796e–2, 796f to 796f–4, and 796k of this title, sections 1431, 4301 to 4305, 4331, 4332, 4351, 4353 to 4357, 4359, 4359a, and 4360 of Title 20, Education, and section 46 of Title 41, Public Contracts, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 725 of this title and section 4301 of Title 20, and amending provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1993’.”

Short Title of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–569, § 1(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4344, provided that: “This Act [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992’.”

Short Title of 1991 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–52, § 1, June 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 260, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 720, 732, 741, 761, 771, 772, 774, 775, 777, 777a, 777f, 785, 792, 795f, 795i, 795q, 796i, and 1904 of this title and section 1475 of Title 20, Education] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1991’.”

Short Title of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–506, § 1(a), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1807, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 716, 717, 752, 794d, 795j to 795q, and 796d–1 of this title and section 2000d–7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, amending this section and sections 702, 705, 706, 711 to 715, 720 to 724, 730 to 732, 740, 741, 750, 751, 760 to 761b, 762, 762a, 770 to 777b, 777f, 780, 781, 783, 785, 791 to 794, 794c, 795, 795d to 795i, 796a, 796b, 796d to 796i, and 1904 of this title, and section 155a of former Title 36, Patriotic Societies and Observances, repealing section 751 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 706, 730, 761a, and 795m of this title and section 1414 of Title 20, Education] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986’.”

Short Title of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–221, § 1, Feb. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 17, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 780a and 1901 to 1906 of this title, amending sections 706, 712 to 714, 720 to 722, 730, 732, 741, 761 to 762a, 771, 772, 774, 775, 777, 777a, 777f, 780, 781, 783, 791, 792, 794c, 795a, 795c, 795f, 795g, 795i, 796e, and 796i of this title and sections 6001, 6012, 6033, 6061, and 6081 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, repealing section 777c of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1901 of this title and amending provisions set out as a note under section 713 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation Amendments of 1984’.”

Short Title of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–602, § 1, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2955, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 710 to 715, 751, 761a, 761b, 762a, 775, 777 to 777f, 780 to 785, 794a to 794c, 795 to 795i, and 796 to 796i of this title and section 6000 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, amending this section, sections 702, 706, 709, 720 to 724, 730 to 732, 740, 741, 750, 760 to 762, 770 to 774, 776, and 792 to 794 of this title, section 1904 [now 3904] of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits, and sections 6001, 6008 to 6012, 6031 to 6033, 6061 to 6065, 6067, 6081, and 6862 of Title 42, repealing sections 764, 786, and 787 of this title and section 6007 of Title 42, omitting sections 6041 to 6043 of Title 42, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 713 and 795 of this title and sections 6000 and 6001 of Title 42, and repealing a provision set out as a note under section 6001 of Title 42] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978’.”

Short Title of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–230, § 1, Mar. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 211, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 720, 732, 741, 761, 771, 772, 774, 775, 783, 785, and 792 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 720 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation Act Extension of 1976’.”

Short Title of 1974 Amendment

Pub. L. 93–516, title I, § 100, Dec. 7, 1974, 88 Stat. 1617, provided that: “This title [amending sections 702, 706, 720 to 722, 732, 741, 750, 761, 762, 771, 772, 774 to 776, 783, 785, and 792 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 702 of this title] shall be known as the ‘Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974’.”

An identical provision is contained in Pub. L. 93–651, title I, § 100, Nov. 21, 1974, 89 Stat. 2–3.

Short Title

Pub. L. 93–112, § 1(a), as added by Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 403, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1093, and amended by Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 402(b)(1)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–412, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Rehabilitation Act of 1973’.”

Pub. L. 93–112, title VI, § 601, as added by Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 409, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1210, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapter VI of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Employment Opportunities for Individuals With Disabilities Act’.”

Pub. L. 93–112, § 1, Sept. 26, 1973, 87 Stat. 355, provided in part that Pub. L. 93–112, which enacted this chapter and repealed sections 31 to 41c and 42–1 to 42b of this title, could be cited as the “Rehabilitation Act of 1973”, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 403, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1093.

Pub. L. 93–112, title VI, § 601, as added by Pub. L. 95–602, title II, § 201, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2989, and amended by Pub. L. 102–569, title I, § 102(p)(34), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4360, provided that title VI of Pub. L. 93–112, enacting former subchapter VI of this chapter, could be cited as the “Employment Opportunities for Handicapped Individuals Act”, prior to the general amendment of title VI of Pub. L. 93–112 by Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 409, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1210.

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 11758. Delegation of Authority of the President

Ex. Ord. No. 11758, Jan. 15, 1974, 39 F.R. 2075, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11784, May 30, 1974, 39 F.R. 19443; Ex. Ord. No. 11867, June 19, 1975, 40 F.R. 26253; Ex. Ord. No. 12608, Sept. 9, 1987, 52 F.R. 34617, provided:

By virtue of the authority vested in me by section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code and as President of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: