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Randolph-Sheppard Program

Under the Randolph-Sheppard program, State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies recruit, train, license, and place individuals who are blind as operators of vending facilities located on Federal and other properties. The program provides qualified blind persons the opportunity to operate businesses on Federal, State, and other property by granting a priority on such property.

Persons who are legally blind are established in businesses of various kinds, including cafeterias, snack bars, and other vending facilities in public and private buildings. The State VR Agency secures the location and furnishes equipment, initial stock, and operating capital. The Agency also provides training necessary to be licensed in this program through vocational rehabilitation services.

Background

This program was developed following the enactment of the Randolph-Sheppard Act of 1936, 20 USC 107 et. seq., as amended in 1954 and 1974. The 1936 Act was enacted to provide blind persons with remunerative employment, enlarge their economic opportunities, and encourage their self-support through the operation of vending facilities in Federal buildings.

The Department of Education prescribes regulations, as set forth in 34 CFR, Part 395, implementing the Act as amended (See 41 CFR 101-20.2). Randolph-Sheppard vending facilities can be established in leased space and under Cooperative Use Space in GSA locations.

Scope of Program

The Randolph-Sheppard food service program provides food and other essential services through snack bars, cafes, and sundry shops that are operated by blind entrepreneurs nationwide.

In FY 2004, a total of 2,584 blind vendors operated 3,100 vending facilities located on Federal and other property. The program generated $488.5 million, and the average vendor earnings amounted to $39,880.

Responsibilities

The GSA develops and administers the Randolph-Sheppard Program and ensures compliance with all provisions of the Act, the regulations, and the procedures. The Randolph-Sheppard Vending program manager administers the regional program on a day-to-day basis. This regional program manager serves as the representative in all dealings with State licensing agencies, blind vendors, the Department of Education and occupant agencies. GSA is available to provide technical assistance to GSA regions and Federal agencies on Randolph-Sheppard opportunities within Federal space.

At the Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides guidance and technical assistance to improve the achievement of employment outcomes for persons who are blind and visually impaired. The Division also oversees the implementation of the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Staff members:

·               Develop guidelines and regulations for federal departments and blind licensees to conduct vending facilities programs.

·               Ensure the uniform and effective management of the vending facilities program in each state.

·               Provide technical consultation to federal and state agencies regarding suitability of location, design layout, food concessions, and sanitation for vending facilities.

·               Interpret provisions of the Randolph-Sheppard Act for convening and conducting arbitration panels.

·               Provide consultation to other federal and state agencies on issues regarding blindness and visual impairment; and serve as liaison to the National Council of State Administrators for the Blind (NCSAB) and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) on issues related to the Randolph-Sheppard program and to improve the achievement of employment outcomes for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

Additional Information

The complete text of the Randolph-Sheppard Act (as amended and as codified at Chapter 6A of Title 20 of the U.S. Code) is available on the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) website at:
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Randolph-Sheppard_Act.asp?SnID=2

Regulations (Code Of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR Part 395) implementing the Randolph-Sheppard Act are available on the NFB website at:
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Randolph-Sheppard_regs.asp?SnID=2

The National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM), a division of the National Federation of the Blind, is a membership organization of blind persons employed in either self-employment work or the Randolph-Sheppard vending program. It provides information regarding rehabilitation, Social Security, tax, and other issues that directly affect blind merchants. Additionally, it serves as an advocacy and support group, and operates a website at:
http://www.blindmerchants.org/

Source

Information for this topic was drawn from pages of the U.S. Department of Education website at:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsarsp/contacts.html
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsarsp/index.html

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