The Rehabilitation Act replaces the Vocational Rehabilitation Act:

• to extend and revise the authorization of grants to states for vocational rehabilitation services, with special emphasis on services to individuals with the most severe disabilities,

• to expand special federal responsibilities and research and training programs with respect to individuals with disabilities,

• to create linkage between state vocational rehabilitation programs and workforce investment activities carried out under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,

• to establish special responsibilities for the Secretary of Education for coordination of all activities with respect to individuals with disabilities within and across programs administered by the federal government,

• and for other purposes

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended by title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (PDF 791KB) establishes programs and initiatives administered by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).