Title 29 › Chapter 16— VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND OTHER REHABILITATION SERVICES › § 705
Defines many key words used in the chapter so people know how to apply the rules. It lists terms with short meanings: administrative costs — money spent to run the vocational rehab program (planning, finance, data systems, public info, technical help, advisory groups, staff, buildings, supplies, travel, reviews, and legal costs); assessment for determining eligibility and vocational rehabilitation needs — review of existing records and, if needed, extra tests or trial work to decide eligibility, needs, services, and work goals; assistive technology, assistive technology device, assistive technology service — as defined in section 3002 of this title; community rehabilitation program — a program that provides various rehab services (medical, therapy, job development, supported and extended employment, personal assistance, and similar services); competitive integrated employment — paid work (including self-employment) that meets wage rules (at least the higher of the federal minimum wage in section 206(a)(1) or the state/local minimum wage and at least the employer’s usual rate for similar non-disabled workers), gives the same benefits, involves interaction with non-disabled coworkers, and offers similar advancement chances; construction and cost of construction — building new or changing existing buildings and initial equipment, with architects’ fees and land included but not offsite improvements; customized employment — individualized job matches for people with significant disabilities using flexible strategies; designated State agency/unit — the State agency or unit named under section 721; disability — a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits employment (for some parts of the law it uses the definition in section 12102 of title 42); drug and illegal use of drugs — “drug” means a controlled substance under schedules I–V, and “illegal use” means unlawful use, possession, or distribution (does not include supervised medical use); employment outcome — entering or keeping full- or part-time competitive employment, meeting supported employment goals, or other outcomes the Secretary allows (like customized employment or self-employment); establishment of a community rehabilitation program — adapting buildings and adding equipment or staff as allowed by the Secretary; extended services — ongoing supports after transition to help someone keep supported employment, based on their plan; Federal share — 78.7 percent, with special rules for some construction payments and rules about what counts as State spending; Governor — the State’s chief executive; impartial hearing officer — a neutral person not previously involved, not a State Rehab Council member, with rehab rule knowledge and no conflict of interest; independent living core services and independent living services — basic and broader services that help people live independently (information, skills training, counseling, advocacy, transition from institutions, rehab tech, housing help, transportation, and many other supports); Indian/Indian tribe — a member of a recognized tribe and the tribe itself (including Alaska Native villages and related entities); individual with a disability — someone with an impairment that substantially limits employment and who can benefit from vocational rehab services (some parts of the law use the section 12102 definition and some parts list narrow exclusions, such as certain current illegal drug use or other specific conditions in specific contexts); individuals with disabilities — more than one such person; individual with a significant disability — a person with a severe impairment that greatly limits work and who will likely need many services over time (includes many listed example conditions and varies by subchapter); individuals with significant disabilities — plural; individual with a most significant disability — someone a State identifies under section 721(a)(5)(C); individual’s/applicant’s representative — parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized rep; institution of higher education — as defined in section 1002 of title 20; local agency — a local government or tribal agency that runs rehab services under State supervision; local workforce development board, State workforce development board, statewide workforce development system, and workforce investment activities — as defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; nonprofit — a 501(c)(3) organization with no private profit; ongoing support services — services for people with the most significant disabilities provided at least twice a month to assess worksite needs and give intensive supports (trainers, job coaching, follow-up, and similar services); personal assistance services — help with daily living tasks to increase independence; pre-employment transition services — as described in section 733; public or nonprofit — includes Indian tribes; rehabilitation technology — use of technology and engineering to meet needs and remove barriers, including assistive tech and engineering; Secretary — usually the Secretary of Education, except in subchapter II and part A of subchapter VII where it means the Secretary of Health and Human Services; State — the 50 States plus DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands; student with a disability — a person within the age limits set by IDEA or the State (generally up to age 21 unless the State sets a higher maximum) who receives special education or is covered by section 794; supported employment and supported employment services — individualized, often long-term work supports for people with the most significant disabilities (services by the State unit may last up to 24 months unless extended); vocational rehabilitation services — the services listed in section 723; and youth with a disability — someone aged 14 through 24.
Full Legal Text
Labor — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
29 U.S.C. § 705
Title 29 — Labor
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60