Training (RA section 302)

What this funds

People with disabilities represent a vital and integral part of our society. Providing workers with disabilities the support and the opportunity to acquire the skills that they need for in-demand jobs and careers is critical to growing our economy, ensuring that everyone who works hard is rewarded, and building a strong middle class. To help achieve this goal, the Rehabilitation Act seeks to empower individuals with disabilities to maximize employment, economic self- sufficiency, independence, and inclusion and integration into society. The Administration's 2027 request for the Rehabilitation Services account aligns with the overall effort to restore fiscal discipline and reduce the Federal role in education. It provides $4.7 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding to support vocational rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities through direct services, as well as direct services to help older individuals who are The $4.6 billion mandatory request for the Vocational rehabilitation (VR) State grants program represents an increase in funding for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State Grants, consistent with the inflationary increase specified in the authorizing statute, as compared to the fiscal year 2026 appropriation level of $4.5 billion. The request provides a level of funding that is aligned to State capacity to use the funds and will assist States and Tribal governments in increasing the participation of individuals with disabilities in the workforce. WIOA strengthened the alignment of the VR program with other components of the workforce development system to promote a coordinated and streamlined system. As an integral partner in this system, the VR program is the primary Federal vehicle for assisting individuals with disabilities, particularly individuals with the most significant disabilities, to prepare for, obtain, retain, or advance in high quality The 2027 request eliminates several programs to restore the proper balance between Federal and State responsibilities. No funds are requested for the Client assistance State grants program (CAP); however, since State VR agencies must operate a CAP to receive VR State grant funds, the request includes appropriations language to permit States to fund client assistance programs with VR State grant funds instead of CAP funds. No funds are requested for the Supported employment State grants program, which duplicates services that are available under the VR State grants program and causes unnecessary administrative burden. Additionally, no funds are requested for the Training program, Demonstration and training programs, or Protection and advocacy of individual rights. States and localities, not the Federal government, are best suited to determine whether to support the activities authorized under these programs or similar activities within their own budgets and without unnecessary administrative burden imposed by the Federal The request would maintain support for the Independent living services for older blind individuals program and the Helen Keller National Center at the 2026 appropriation level.

Extracted from Rehabilitation Services, p. 59. Verbatim; nothing here is paraphrased.

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