A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 326

Projects for Initiating Recreation Programs for Individuals with Disabilities

(CDFA No. 84.128J)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1993, P.L. 93-112, Title III, Part B, Section 316, as amended by P.L. 102-569 and P.L. 103-73 (29 U.S.C. 711(c) and 777(f)) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: To initiate programs of recreational activities and relted experiences for individuals with disabilities to aid in their employment, mobility, socialization, independence, and community integration. To the maximum extent possible, these programs should be provided in settings with peers who are not individuals with disabilities. These programs are designed to demonstrate ways in which they maximize the independence and integration of individuals with disabilities.

Funding History

Fiscal Year Appropriation Fiscal Year Appropriation
1982 $1,884,000 1989 $2,620,000
1983 2,000,000 1990 2,588,000
1984 2,000,000 1991 2,617,000
1985 2,100,000 1992 2,617,000
1986 2,105,000 1993 2,596,000
1987 2,330,000 1994 2,596,000
1988 2,470,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting

The 25 projects initiated in FY 1993 and to be continued through FY 1995 serve an estimated 20,346 persons with disabilities in 17 States and the District of Columbia.

Services

Projects emphasize integrating individuals with disabilities into community-based activities and programs with non-disabled individuals in both urban and rural settings. Projects also promote employment, independence, socialization, and increased mobility. These projects include activities such as scouting, camping, music, dance, handicrafts, art, physical education, and sports. The projects are primarily conducted at the local and community level by local governments, nonprofit organizations, and colleges and universities.

The Rehabilitation Act requires the Commissioner to use one percent of the aggregate funds appropriated for programs authorized in Title II, III, VI, VII, VIII for minority outreach activities as specified in section 21 of the Act. In FY 1993, one percent of the funds appropriated for this program were reserved for this purpose.

Section 21 also requires grant applicants to demonstrate how they will address the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Similarly, all existing grantees are required to document how they address the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Under Section 20 of the Act, all grantees must advise individuals with disabilities who are applicants for or recipients of services, or as appropriate, the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of those individuals, of the availability and purposes of the State Client Assistance Program (CAP), including information on the means of seeking assistance under such program.

Each applicant is required to provide sufficient information on how the project will sustain itself after the termination of Federal grant support; and how the project will meet its matching requirement and increase its share of project costs during the project period, including an identification of the sources and amounts of matching funds. The Federal share of the costs of the recreation programs shall be 100 percent for the first year of the grant, 75 percent for the second year and 50 percent for the third year.

Management Improvement Strategies

Each grant recipent is monitored (through teleconference) two times per year. Each grantee is evaluated on the progress made toward achieving the goals and objectives cited in the grant application. If appropriate, the grantee is provided technical assistance in order to meet the stated goals and objectives of the grant application.

III. Sources of Information

  1. Program files.

IV. Planned Studies

None.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operations:
Tony Cavataio, (202) 205-8206

Program Studies:
Barbara Vespucci, (202) 401-3630

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