History of Vocational Rehabilitation

The timeline of events are key dates that have led to the removal of barriers so that people with disabilities in the United States and Florida can participate fully in society. Starting shortly after the United States was founded, the disabilities timeline features examples of the remarkable diversity, creativity and leadership that has shaped the disability community up through today.

1541

As early as 1541 at first contact by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, there were reports that the Plains Indians had developed a sign language to communicate between tribes of different languages.

1776

Founding Father Serves Despite Disability: Stephen Hopkins, a man with cerebral palsy, is one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Hopkins is known for saying “my hands may tremble, my heart does not.”

1872

Alexander Graham Bell, most likely had dyslexia, went on to invent the first practical telephone. His learning disability did not stop him. In fact, his mother and wife were both Deaf, allowing him to understand advanced and alternative means of communication.

1885

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind was founded in St. Augustine. In 1882, Thomas Hines Coleman, a young deaf man, was preparing to graduate from Gallaudet University. He graduated from the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind and knew he wanted to make education for children his life’s work. Florida was one of the few states that had not made provision for the education of children who were deaf/hard of hearing or who had visual impairments. Coleman wrote Governor William D. Bloxham and he replied favorably toward the establishment of such a school. As their correspondence continued, the sum of $20,000 was reached as a minimum appropriation to start the school. The school is now the largest school of its type in the United States with 47 buildings on 82 acres. Notable alumni: Ray Charles attended St. Augustine School where he learned to read Braille; Ashley Fiolek, national women’s motocross champion; Marcus Roberts, jazz pianist; Joseph “Joe” Walker, sports broadcaster; and Sir Charles Atkins, Florida blues legend.

Ray Charles was a legendary musician often called the “Genius,” who pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s. Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia, he was raised in Greenville, Florida, and started playing the piano before he was five. At age six, he contracted glaucoma that eventually left him blind. He studied composition (writing music in Braille) and learned to play the alto saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and organ while attending the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and the Blind from 1937 to 1945.

1906

Florida required car owners to register their vehicles and issued paper certificates to be displayed on the vehicle. The first plate was made of leather. In 1951, Disabled Veteran license plate was offered. Enacted in 1990 and amended in 2008, ADA established the rights for individuals with disabilities to have access to public parking spaces and building entrances.

1918

Soldier’s Rehabilitation Act helped to establish federally-funded rehabilitation services such as training and job placement services to assist men injured due to active duty or work-related injuries. Over the years, the program has evolved to protect the rights of people with disabilities in such areas as employment, education, public transportation and building accessibility.

Welding Tool Adaptation for Amputee at Walter Reed 1919

1920

June 2, signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, the Smith-Fess Act (also known as the Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act) establishes the Vocational Rehabilitation program for Americans with disabilities. At this point, only individuals with physical disabilities are eligible for services.

1925

Florida VR program began. Florida’s first director was Harold Corpening who served as both director and counselor. The first year he identified 2,000 known adults and 1,500 children with disabilities.

1926

By the end of the second year, VR had 300 active clients with 17 successful closures; most of whom had been rehabilitated through training. Corpening spent 178 days in the field and logged 19,360 miles. Florida’s first special education class in Jacksonville.

1928

Florida VR’s first successful outcome: W.M. Turner, a 26 year-old lineman for a utility company who crushed his foot on the job. Gangrene developed and he lost his leg and his job at the same time.

1933

Interesting to know that during the Great Depression, VR was almost eliminated. The State Budget Commission omitted VR in the budget to the legislature, as the new governor’s platform was a reduction in expenditures. VR Director Claude Andrews was present at a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting. The secretary to the chairman of that committee was a former client of VR. She whispered to the chairman that the VR director was there. Director Andrews was asked to describe VR. He did and VR was kept alive--largely because of the former client’s experience.

1930
30
Persons with disabilities
who got or kept jobs
$15
Average weekly salary
18
Number of
customers ages
(14-21)

2020
5,924
Persons with disabilities
who got or kept jobs
$370
Average weekly salary
26,086
Number of
customers ages
(14-21)

1935

The Social Security Act signed by President Roosevelt extending VR programs. The Act establishes an income maintenance system for those unable to work by providing benefits to unemployed individuals and retirees. The Act also outlines assistance to aged individuals, blind individuals, and dependent and “crippled” children.

1936

June 20: Randolph-Sheppard Act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Act mandates a priority to people who are blind to operate vending facilities on federal property.

1937

Herbert A. Everest (disabled American mining engineer) and Harry C. Jennings patent a design for a folding crossframe wheelchair that can be packed into a car. The earliest record of a wheelchair dates back to the 6th century as an inscription on a stone slate in China.

Wheelchair designs from 1920 to 2020.

1938

Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) lost all his hearing possibly because of scarlet fever. He often treated it as an asset that allowed him to concentrate on his experiments and research. Edison acquired 1,093 patents including his invention of the light bulb. He built his first laboratory in Fort Myers. The Fair Labor Standards Act establishes a national minimum wage and the Wagner-O’Day Act requires all federal agencies to purchase specified products made by people who are blind.

1941

Florida Legislature established the Florida Council for the Blind.

1945

August 11: Declaration of National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. President Harry S. Truman approves a Congressional resolution declaring the first week in October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” is removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities.

1948

The Florida Council for the Blind acquired a U.S. Army convalescent center in Daytona Beach. Currently operates as the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

1956

Congress creates a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program for workers (ages 50-64) with disabilities. Additional amendments two years later extend SSDI benefits to the dependents of workers with disabilities.

1965

Medicare and Medicaid established.

1968

Architectural Barriers Act requires all federal buildings to be accessible to people with physical disabilities. One example of this is that instead of just having steps, the building must provide ramps or elevators to allow people in wheelchairs access. First International Special Olympics Games. International symbol of access designed by Danish design student Susanne Koefoed.

1971

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 is amended to bring people with disabilities (other than blindness) into sheltered workshops.

Florida Senator Verle Pope talking with his new employee Scott Trees. Scott at 16 years old was rejected by Legion Boy’s State because of his handicap. He was born without hands or toes.
--Florida Memory, State Archives

1972

The first Center for Independent Living (CIL) is established in Berkeley, CA. This sparked the CIL movement. First closed captioning.

1974

The Rehabilitation Act, as amended is one of the most important pieces of legislation for VR. Section 504 of this act, made it illegal to discriminate against anyone solely on the basis of disability. Client Assistant Project, known as CAP, is established to advocate for clients of state VR agencies.

1975

President Ford signs the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which requires public schools to provide a “free appropriate public education” to all students, including those with disabilities. The Act is renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1990.

1977

After major demonstrations in 10 U.S. cities on April 5, including a 150-person sit-in in San Francisco led by Judith Heumann and Kitty Cone lasting 28 days, U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph Califano signs regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These regulations extend civil rights to people with disabilities, covering any program or activity, including employment services, receiving federal financial assistance. Disability Rights Florida was founded to advocate, educate, investigate and litigate to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination and choices for all people with disabilities.

1978

Special education teacher Marc Gold seeks to teach persons with intellectual disabilities to perform complex tasks. This provides the instructional foundation for the concept of Supported Employment.

1982

Lani Deauville is the first female and individual with a disability to become VR director in Florida. She served from 1982-1985.

1983

Disability advocates draw attention to the importance of transportation as a critical link to employment as well as education, recreation and all other aspects of community life. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) opens. This first-of-its-kind technical assistance center provides free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.

1990

President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.

Americans with Disabilities Act: President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. Modeled on the Civil Rights Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA stems from collective efforts by advocates in the preceding decades and is the most comprehensive disability rights legislation in history. Its employment provisions prohibit discrimination in job application procedures, hiring, advancement and termination and provide for equal access to workers’ compensation; job training; and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL) founded. FACIL provides support and resource development for 15 Centers for Independent Living throughout Florida. CILS are 501(c) (3), community-based, non-profit agencies that empower persons with disabilities to move from dependence to independence. David Jones was shot in a hunting accident that left him with permanent paralyses of his left leg and hand. This life changing event developed into his personal crusade and founded the Florida Disable Outdoors Association.

1993

Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) established seven centers funded by the Florida Legislature. CARD offers free supports within the natural contexts of all settings including homes, child care programs, schools, work, and community businesses and programs.

1996

Telecommunications Act of 1996 recognizes the importance of access to telecommunications for people with disabilities in the Information Age. NASA Centers began to provide students with disabilities the opportunities to explore careers in high technology. High School/High Tech, an enrichment program, pioneered at Goddard Space Flight Center. The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 creates the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program, which provides a federal tax credit to companies that hire workers from populations that face high rates of unemployment, including people with certain disabilities.

1998

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. administered by VR provides Floridians with free access to assistive technology information, referral services, educational programs and publications.

1999

U.S. Supreme Court issues the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision, which declares segregation of people with disabilities, when integrated, community-based settings are an option, a form of discrimination under the ADA. Through this decision, the Court sends a simple, yet profound, message that long-term services and supports for people with disabilities of all ages, including participation in community living or employment, must reflect what is appropriate for and desired by the individual.

2000

The Able Trust sponsored the first Florida Youth Leadership Forum. A nonprofit foundation, The Able Trust has a mission to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fundraising, grant programs, public awareness and education. The YLF is one of four youth programs of The Able Trust that works to reduce the dropout rate of youth with disabilities and improve their participation in employment related activities. The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act supports people with developmental disabilities in pursuing paid work experiences in integrated, community-based settings and acknowledge the importance of technology in increasing such opportunities.

2008

ADA Amendments Act makes important changes to the definition of the term “disability.” These changes make it easier for a person seeking protection under the law to establish eligibility under it and require courts to focus more on assessing the extent of discriminatory practices than the technical definition of the term. Florida Disability History and Awareness Instruction signed into law. It requires school districts to designate the first two weeks of October as Disability History and Awareness Weeks and also promotes providing instruction for students in all public schools to expand student knowledge, understanding, and awareness of individuals with disabilities, disability history, and the disability rights movement.

2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act increases funding for the IDEA and provides more than $500 million for VR services, including job training, education and placement. Florida along with Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Carolina established state infrastructure supporting local implementation of High School High Tech. In those states, a total of 135 local HS/HT sites were serving students in over 350 schools.

2014

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorizes and amends crucial programs to help job seekers access the services they need to succeed in employment and match employers with skilled workers.

2019

Florida VR Customer Zack Gottsagen made history as the first Oscar presenter with Downs Syndrome.

2020

Our economy and workforce was challenged with an international pandemic. We do not know specifically what the future is going to look like, but VR has reinvented itself over the last century to meet the ever-changing employment needs and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the demands of public policy. We hope learning from the past 100 years, VR will continue to incorporate new services and methods that will be relevant to the next 100 years to improve employment outcomes for eligible individuals with physical and mental disabilities.