CAP funds vital advocacy for people with disabilities to access employment in the most integrated setting possible and at a competitive wage.
The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is authorized under the 1984 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. CAP was established to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities who are eligible to receive services from programs funded through the Act. CAP works primarily with clients:
- Seeking or receiving services from the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) system, the single largest program funded under the Rehabilitation Act.
- Individuals eligible for services from an Independent Living Center or other Rehabilitation Act funded programs.
Background
CAP is funded through the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration. CAP has either been level-funded or cut every fiscal year except three since Fiscal Year 2003. Two of the increases during this time were targeted for the CAP program to ensure people with a disability are being employed in an integrated setting, and to address the problem of people with disabilities forced to work in substandard conditions at less than minimum wage.
Request
We urge Congress to increase funds for employment advocacy as it is sorely needed for CAPs to carry out their mission on behalf of people with disabilities seeking employment.
NDRN recommends a funding level of $16 million for Fiscal Year 2023
For more information, contact Cyrus Huncharek at (202) 408-9514 or [email protected]. Download our Fact Sheet on CAP Funding.
