Relevance to Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
A comparison of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and the Rehabilitation Act, Title VII is important for CILs to review. These two Acts are very similar in their purpose and services. The OAA was established primarily to help older adults, while the Rehab Act, Title VII was established to help people of any age with a disability.
These two Acts govern their respective agencies. After reviewing the OAA, CILs will be more aware of how their programs can be used to serve the older consumer, particularly self-advocacy, assistive technology training and independent living skills. In reviewing the OAA, CILs will see areas for development of new programs, to meet the needs of older consumers with disabilities - programs that could be funded through the Area Agencies on Aging.
CILs have a strong history of providing programs that are consumer driven / consumer choice. The aging network is just beginning to understand this concept and has not been strong in promoting self-advocacy. Both have room for growth. CILs can become valuable consultants or service providers to the aging network.
|
Components of Older Americans Act |
Older Americans Act (OAA) |
Components of the Rehabilitation Act Title VII |
Rehabilitation Act Title VII |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Established |
In 1965, signed into law by Pres.Lyndon B. Johnson in response to the increasing number of older Americans |
Established |
Signed into law by Pres. Richard Nixon in 1973 via override. In 1978, Rehab Act, Title VII marked the beginning of person-centered values as a major part of U.S. law |
|
Purpose of OAA |
Establishment of programs that offer services to older persons that are at risk of losing their independence (frail, disabled, low-income status & living alone) |
Purpose of
Rehab Act, Title VII: |
To promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of persons with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of persons with disabilities into the mainstream of American society |
|
Organized
by Titles with Specific Objectives: |
Initiates the broad, national social policy objectives geared to improve older persons lives |
Organized with Specific Objectives: Title VII - Independent Living Services & Centers for Independent Living |
Areas
of Operation: |
|
Title II - Administration on Aging (Assistant Secretary of Aging) |
Appointed by the President |
CIL Administrator: |
Chief of IL is appointed by the Asst. Secretary of RSA Independent Living is one of the departments within the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) |
|
Title III - Grants for State &Community Programs on Aging |
Defines the types of services provided at local
level |
Rehab Act,
Title VII - Section 725 |
Establishes the requirements for CIL structure, board, staff and management diversity, core services, consumer participation and community involvement |
|
Title III B - Supportive Services |
Three categories: access services, in-home services, community services |
Title VII, CILs can offer many services but must first provide four primary core services |
These
core services are: |
|
Title III C - Nutritional Services |
Two parts: (C-1) Congregate Nutrition Services |
Title VII, CIL Core Services: Independent Living Skills, Information & Referral, Peer Counseling and Advocacy |
CIL's
core services can provide instruction in meal planning and preparation. |
|
Title III D - In-home Services |
Direct resources to those older persons most at risk of losing their independence (minorities & low income) |
Title VII, Primary Core Services |
Direct
resources to those individuals with severe disabilities at risk of losing
their independence |
|
Title III F - Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Services |
Resources used to increase public awareness of healthy lifestyle choices & decrease risk of chronic health conditions |
Title III - Special Projects & Demonstrations |
Provide academic training for skilled personnel, training to maintain & upgrade personnel basic skills, improve & expand rehab services, training for migrant or seasonal disabled farm workers |
|
Title IV - Training, Research & Discretionary Projects/Programs |
Training & research efforts in the field of aging |
Rehab Act, Title II - Research & Training |
Provide research, demonstration projects, training to maximize full inclusion & integration into society |
|
Title V - Senior Community Service Employment Program |
Part-time employment program for low-income, unemployed persons age 55+ and whose prospects for employment are limited |
Rehab Act,
Title VI |
Part
A: Projects with industry |
|
Title VI - Grants to Native Americans |
Award grants to provide supportive and nutritional services to Native Americans and Native Hawaiians |
Rehab Act, Title VII |
Assists Native Americans with disabilities to move from a state of dependency to being in control of one's destiny |
|
Title VII - Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities |
Strong advocacy to protect and enhance the rights of socially and economically vulnerable older people |
Title VII, Core Service: Self and Systems Advocacy |
Provides self-advocacy training and support for those individuals with severe disabilities, not served or under served by programs especially minority, urban and rural populations (policy priority) |
1Older Americans Act. Retrieved November 9, 2004 at http://www.aoa.gov/about/legbudg/oaa.asp
2Rehabilitation Act, Title VII. Retrieved November 9, 2004 at http://www.rcep7org/links/rehabact/Title_VII/title_vii.html