Sonya Neilson & Heather Moraru
The Smith-Fess act of 1920, also known as the Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act, is considered the starting point of the public rehabilitation for people with disabilities. It initially provided counseling, training, prostheses, and placement services. This program did not include the blind. Funding was provided to the states on a 50/50 match. In order for states to receive matching funds they had to (1) develop a state plan and submit it to the federal government for approval, (2) write an annual report to the FBVE, (3) establish a state program under the state's Vocational Education Board, and (4) not spend any of this money on buildings or equipment. Since its origination, this program has helped some 9 million disabled people acquire employment. At the acts origination, these funds were not permanent. Congress had to periodically vote to renew them. These programs have been continually reauthorized and expanded with bipartisan congressional support.
The 1920's marked the beginning of the United States migration into the modern society of today. During this period, people moved from farms to cities in large numbers. The movement to cities allowed more people to enjoy movies, plays, and sporting events. Radio broadcasting brought news of the world and entertainment into the homes of many Americans. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote in all elections. During this period new opportunities for education and careers were available to women.
http://www.mrs.state.mi.us/legislation/historyvr.html
http://www.nfb.org/bm/bm99/bm990116.htm
http://soe.drake.edu/nri/syllabi/reha200kc/laws.html
Legislative History of the American State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Program
(n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2001 from http://luna.cas.usf.edu/~rasch/leg.html
History of Rehabilitation Legislation. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2001 from
http://soe.drake.edu/nri/syllabi/reha200kc/laws.html
Legislative History of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) (n.d.). Retrieved December 3,
2001 from http://www.mrs.state.mi.us/legislation/historyvr.html
World Book Online