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)

The Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, met on two occasions, on the first to hear witnesses on how the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 can help low income students overcome challenges to obtain postsecondary education; and on the second to hear how student financial aid programs can be simplified to provide easier access. On the first hearing day the following witnesses appeared: Honorable E. Thomas Coleman; Arthur M. Hauptman; James Stedman, Congressional Research Service; Peter Smith, Responsibilities for Financing Postsecondary Education; Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Dennis J. Martin, Washington University, Saint Louis; Reggie Wilson, American Council on Education; Cesar M. Trimble, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; Anne L. Bryant, American Association of University Women; Robert A. Corrigan, Coalition for Adult and Part Time Students. On the second day of testimony the following witnesses appeared: Joseph M Gaydos; Robert B. Knutson, Education Management Corporation; Selena Dong, United States Student Association; Annette Hines, Student, Morehead State University; Stephen Colbert, Educational Opportunity Center; Regina Manley, Citywide Guidance Programs; Stan Koplik, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance; Natala Hart, State Student Assistance Commission; Paul Phillips, California State University-San Marcos. The document contains the prepared statements of all the witnesses and other statements submitted by those who did not appear. (JB)