Employment and Rehabilitation Policy

Employment

See ADA Title I Key Links on prohibition of discrimination by employers and job accommodations.

AFB CareerConnect®

CareerConnect® is a free resource for people who want to learn about the range and diversity of jobs performed by adults who are blind or visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you are a student exploring careers, a job seeker investigating work options, an employer planning to diversify your workforce, a professional working with visually impaired people; or, a friend or family member assisting someone who is blind or has low vision, this web site can help you!

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended

The Rehabilitation Act authorizes formula grant programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance. It also authorizes a variety of training and service discretionary grants administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

The Act authorizes research activities that are administered by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and the work of the National Council on Disability. The Act also includes a variety of provisions focused on rights, advocacy and protections for individuals with disabilities.

For information on Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, see the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 501; Section 504 page.

For information on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, see the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 501; Section 504 page.

For information on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, see the Technology Issues page.

Independent Living

Title VII Chapter 2, of the Rehabilitation Act, the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, was established to support services for individuals age 55 or older whose severe visual impairment makes competitive employment difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible. Services can include:

• orientation and mobility training; use of public transportation;
• personal and home management skills--such as meal preparation;
• diabetes management using non visual or low vision techniques;
• identification of money and telling time;
• provision of basic assistive technology devices such as white canes, braille writing equipment, talking calculators, and braille or talking watches.

Choose links on this page for information on employment, rehabilitation, and independent living issues.