The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides leadership and fiscal resources to assist state and other agencies to provide vocational rehabilitation (VR), independent living (IL) and other services to individuals with disabilities. The RSA is established by Congress as the principal federal agency authorized to carry out Titles I, III, VI, and VII, as well as Section 509 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. In addition, RSA administers programs and activities under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, as amended, the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults Act, and the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. The programs administered by RSA develop and implement comprehensive and coordinated programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment and independent living for individuals with disabilities through services, training and advocacy in order to maximize their employment, independence and integration into the community and the competitive labor market.
RSA accomplishes its mission by
- administering formula and discretionary grant programs authorized by Congress;
- evaluating, monitoring, and reporting on the implementation of federal policy and programs and the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and other related programs for individuals with disabilities;
- coordinating with other federal agencies, state agencies, and the private sector including professional organizations, service providers, and organizations of persons with disabilities for the review of program planning, implementation, and monitoring issues.
RSA is under the leadership of a commissioner who advises the assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services on programs and problems affecting individuals with disabilities. The commissioner of RSA provides overall direction, coordination and leadership to two divisions and a support staff.
The two divisions are:
In addition, the immediate office of the commissioner provides leadership and direction to one staff office: