After consultation with many organizations, including the Rehabilitation Services Administration, it would seem that the Rehabilitation Act as amended would not be included in H.R. 2086 and S. 88. However, that is merely an opinion, and it would probably take a test case in the federal courts after the enactment of the legislation to confirm or deny this as a fact.

Consequently, to make matters crystal clear, it would be an excellent idea to contact federal representatives and have the exclusion of the Rehabilitation Act written into this legislation. We have seen in several States how devastating waivers could be—and as the old adage goes—it is better to be safe now than sorry later.

Suggested Actions: Contact your Congressman and your Senators as well as Congressman Christopher Shays and Senator Mark Hatfield and request that the Rehabilitation Act as Amended be added as a part of the specifically excluded legislation (the bill currently excludes the Americans with Disabilities Act and other Civil Rights legislation).

VECAP congratulates the Governmental Relations Committee of the National Rehabilitation Association for receiving recognition for running one of the most effective governmental relations programs in the nation. The NRA Governmental Relations Committee was honored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and will be recognized in ceremonies at ASAE’s 15th annual Legislative Summit, June 4th and 5th in Washington, D.C.

- Joseph M. Ashley