Rehabilitation Act Summary

The Michigan Commission for the Blind operates under the auspices of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended on August 7, 1998 in the Workforce Investment Act.  This law provides the basic structure of the organization of the agency and establishes the basis of how the Michigan Commission for the Blind operates.  Each state must periodically submit a state plan.  In this state plan, it must guarantee that certain minimal activities take place in the provision of rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind in Michigan.  Under these guidelines, the Michigan Commission for the Blind is the designated state agency for the blind. A five-member policy-making board comprised of consumers and other qualified individuals governs the agency.   The Client Services Division is the Designated State Unit since this division of the Michigan Commission for the Blind is responsible for the provision of the bulk of the services outlined in Title I of the Act. 

Under the Act, the Michigan Commission for the Blind is responsible for determining eligibility of applicants.  Eligibility is based on a significant impediment to employment relating to a series of functional limitations and a condition of legal blindness or rapidly deteriorating vision.  Field staff is responsible for assisting clients in developing a comprehensive Individual Plan for Employment.  These plans are developed with significant information such that each client can exercise the very best possible choices regarding a vocational objective and the provision of services to attain that goal.  The ultimate objective is to have clients working in substantial jobs at the maximum level of their capabilities. 

The agency must assure many things are occurring in the implementation of the State Plan.  Confidentiality, timeliness in the provision of services, choice in the provision of services and a significant conflict resolution process to resolve issues as they arise must be assured.  Agency activities must all be established with significant input from consumers and the general public.  The law also provides for establishing other working relationships with community partners such as the local Workforce Investment Agencies, Institutions of Higher Learning and the Special Education and Early Intervention Program.  Much emphasis is now being placed on transition services to students as young as 14 years of age.  

Under this guidance, the Michigan Commission for the Blind is obligated to provide a wide variety of services that are supposed to be directly related to the individual's employment objective.  Most recent interpretations indicate that the agency is to work with individuals to help them achieve their maximum potential as long as there remains an impediment to their achievement of that goal.  In order to achieve these goals, the agency must match federal dollars.  Currently, the match is approximately 78% federal dollars to 22% state dollars.  The Michigan Commission for the Blind spends $3.3 Million dollars per year in case service expenditures for direct services to clients.  The balance of the funds helps support salaries, the Business Enterprise Program and Administrative Costs.  This funding is the most significant part of the $16 Million dollar agency budget for the year.  Funding is also supplemented by reimbursed dollars from the Social Security Administration, usually amounting to over one million dollars per year. 

The balance of Social Security reimbursement dollars go to enhancing the other programs of the agency.  Also, a significant portion of the rehabilitation dollars go to the operation of the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center and the Business Enterprise Program.

Although Title I is the most significant portion of the Rehabilitation Act, there are seven titles altogether.  Title II relates to research and outlines the establishment and operation of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.  Title III provides for special projects, including programs for migrants and seasonal farm workers and recreational programs for individuals with disabilities.  Title IV establishes the National Council on Disability, describes its functioning and provides the funding to operate the Council.  Title V includes several sections on the rights of individuals with disabilities.  It includes Section 504 that prohibits discrimination in federal hiring and access to various federal grant programs for individuals with disabilities.  This Title also includes Section 508 that provides for universal access to electronic and other media.  Title VI, Part A provides for projects with industry and Part B that provides the basis for the provision of supported employment to individuals with the most significant disabilities.  Title VII establishes the guidelines for Independent Living Services.  It provides for the Statewide Independent Living Council and develops the principles for the allotments of funding.