This hearing, held in conjunction with the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, examined: (1) rehabilitation services for traditionally underserved groups, particularly persons from the Native American population and Hispanic communities; (2) issues concerning transition from school to work, community job development, and the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on the rehabilitation service delivery system within each state; and (3) issues relating to the education of the deaf, the deaf culture, and programs to prepare teachers of students with hearing impairments. The hearing transcript includes statements, prepared statements, and supplemental materials from: Major R. Owens (House member from New York); Arizona rehabilitation officials; Arizona service providers; a vocational rehabilitation supervisor; a legal assistant; a professor from a teacher education program in deafness; representatives of the National Federation of the Blind of Phoenix, D.E.A.F. Deaf Network, and ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens) of Arizona; and concerned citizens. Of special note is a 60-page report by Laura L. Love titled "'School to Work' Transition Services for Students Receiving Special Education Services in Arizona." (JDD)

This hearing was held to give individuals, organizations, and government officials an opportunity to express their concerns about the state of rehabilitation services in the United States and to recommend changes that would make service delivery more effective. The hearing was held in consideration of the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is the primary legislation providing services to assist people with disabilities in preparing for, and engaging in, gainful employment and independent living. Specifically, the hearing focused on: ways to make vocational rehabilitation more of a consumer-driven system; the availability of, and access to, services and the eligibility process; the order of selection provision and assurances that individuals with the most severe disabilities are given priority for services; and the long-term outcomes of vocational rehabilitation services. The hearing contains statements from Major R. Owens (Congressional Representative from New York) and from representatives of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Agency; the Client Assistance Program in Albany, New York; the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; the Government Accounting Office; the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities; and the National Rehabilitation Association. (JDD)