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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 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
investment systems under title I of the Workforce Investment Act
of 1998 [29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.] 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 of this chapter, 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; and
(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.
(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 investment systems implemented in
accordance with title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
[29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.] 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; and
(2) 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.
(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.
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