1975. In 1976, it is estimated that the workload will equal or surpass that of Having no programatic responsibility as well as no control over case workload, the Board will be attempting to hear all appeals, render timely and quality decisions and increase productivity in order to avoid unmanageable case backlog. Changes in 1976 Mandatory changes amount to Program changes amount to +$4,000 None Mandatory changes consist of $2,000 for net additional cost of pay increase effective October 13, 1974; $1,000 for one extra day of pay in FY 1976; $1,000 for increased cost of administrative and program support services. Activity 6. PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED (1975, $1,297,000, Pos. 48; 1976, $1,328,000, Pos. 49) Narrative Description of Program Services are provided by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped to build public and employer acceptance of physically and mentally handicapped persons. The Committee works with all segments of America; management, labor, government of all levels, the professions, mass media, health, veterans, civic groups, and others. It also cooperates with international rehabilitation groups. (Authorizing Legislation; 63 USC 409, EO 11480) In 1974, the 'Committee placed special stress on employment of disabled veterans and the handicapped poor. It developed a new program to promote recreation for the handicapped as well as jobs in the recreation field. It maintained a high level of activity in the elimination of architectural and transportation barriers against the handicapped. It sponsored an emergency energy conference of 60 national leaders to evaluate special problems faced by the handicapped. Conference findings were taken into consideration in the planning of America's energy needs. It continued its efforts to strengthen Governors' and Mayors' Committees on Employment of the Handicapped. It stepped up its cooperative programs with voluntary health organizations (mental health, mental retardation, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, others) to encourage handicapped people to prepare for the labor market and to encourage employers to accept them. In 1975, a special national meeting of 100 leaders in employment, labor and rehabilitation was called to discuss Sec. 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (affirmative action in hiring the handicapped) and its far-reaching implications; similar State-wide meetings were held in 12 States and 20 cities. Another meeting was held to bring handicapped persons together with the nation's recreation leaders, to develop policies on accessibility of recreation areas for the handicapped. Pamphlets for five major disadvantaged areas of New York City were prepared, aimed at the handicapped poor, informing them about the basics of rehabilitation; these are prototypes for other cities to adopt. A special promotion campaign was conducted to further employment of disabled veterans. Staff members have been advising national energy officials on special needs of the handicapped. Further plans for FY 1975 include implementing management by objectives for all 18 Standing Committees of the President's Committee, and stepping up services to Governors' and Mayors' Committees. Arranging another dozen State meetings on Section 503, and developing pilot projects to (a) determine whether local health organizations can effectively recruit handicapped manpower for employers; (b) determine whether local service clubs can help coordinate services to employers under Section 503 will be undertaken. The Committee will arrange special national meetings with educational groups and institutional groups on Section 504 (affirmative action for Federal agencies) of the Rehabilitation Act and its implications on employment and the providing of services. In 1976, the Committee will step up services to Governors' and Mayors' Committees through increased staff time. New demands for handicapped manpower by Section 503 have brough about need for the President's Committee to investigate current methods of preparing the handicapped for work. This will be done by a series of national meetings. Revising Management by Objectives to reflect impact of Section 503 and 504 on Standing Committee functions, stepping up efforts to promote jobs for disabled veterans in light of a new affirmative action plan in their behalf, expanding recreational facilities for the handicapped, eliminating architectural and transportation barriers, promoting employment of mentally retarded and mentally restored, developing special promotional material for the handicapped in disadvantaged areas, working with a larger number of national voluntary health organizations to encourage the handicapped to prepare for jobs, and to encourage greater acceptance of them by employers, will also be primary goals of the Committee in FY 1976. Mandatory changes amount to Changes for 1976 Program changes amount to +$31,000 None Mandatory changes consist of: $11,000 for net additional cost of pay raise effective October 13, 1974; $5,000 for net additional cost of within-grade increases in FY 1975 and FY 1976; $3,000 for one extra day of pay in FY 1976; $2,000 for increased cost of administrative and program support services; $10,000 for net additional cost of financing new positions received in FY 1975. ACTION ON CONGRESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations, House Appropriations Committee: No specific actions recommended. Recommendations, Senate Appropriations Committee No specific actions recommended. Recommendations, Conference Committee: No specific actions recommended. General Provision: The Congress made no specific recommendations directly relating to the appropriation for Departmental Management. DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT Salaries and Expenses For "Salaries and Expenses" for the period July 1, 1976 through September 30, 1976, $8,311,000 together with an amount not to exceed $221,000 to be derived from the Employment Security Administration account, Unemployment Trust Fund. 1/ EXPLANATION OF LANGUAGE CHANGE 1/ The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974, P.L. 93-344, changes the fiscal year from July 1 30 to October 1 September 30. This language covers the three-month period between the end of Fiscal Year 1976 and the beginning of Fiscal Year 1977. |