Personal budgets: The future of funding?

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Callahan, Michael

Affiliations: Marc Gold & Associates/ Employment for All, 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd., Suite 102, Gautier, MS 39553, USA. Tel.: +1 228 497 6999; Fax: +1 228 497 6966; E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Abstract: The reauthorization of the 1992 Rehabilitation Act prompted Vocational Rehabilitation to authorize a five-year demonstration to enhance choice using ``vouchering'' or personal budgets. During the years of the project a great deal was learned about the issues surrounding individual control of resources for persons with significant disabilities. This article identifies significant findings and ramifications and provides insight into the possible future of funding.

Keywords: personal budgets/individual accounts, choice and self-determination, employment services, adults with disabilities, systems change, blended funding

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 15-26, 2001