Goal: Texans with disabilities should have access to quality rehabilitation services, such as vocational and independent living services, which can be improved by better leveraging of available federal resources.
Problem: As the population of Texans with disabilities increase the need for quality services increases. In order for Texas to have access to all available federal dollars for the vocational rehabilitation program it is necessary that the Texas Legislature appropriate general revenue dollars.
Recommendation: The DPC recommends that the Texas Legislature
Background: The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) provides vocational rehabilitation and independent living services for people with disabilities in Texas through their two divisions; the Division for Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and the Division for Blind Services (DBS).
What sets DARS apart from other state agency’s funding is that it receives a 4 to 1 match from the federal government based on what the state funds.
DARS exceptional item #1 in their Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) is for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) grant growth. They are requesting the necessary state general funds to draw down the federal match.
The population of people with disabilities is expected to increase by 18 percent between 2001 and 2010. However, DARS has yet to have an increase in staff in the field.
DARS also continues to carry a waiting list for people in need of independent living services (ILS) and comprehensive rehabilitation services (CRS). The ILS program assists people who want to live in the community to get necessary devices or services. The CRS program serves people who incurred a spinal cord or traumatic brain injury and need acute rehabilitation services.
Justification: Individuals with disabilities are an untapped pool of workers. As more individuals with disabilities go to work, more taxes are paid, which helps a community as a whole. Providing individuals with the tools they need to become self-sufficient makes them less likely to need financial assistance from the government.