Federal Disability Assistance: Stronger Federal Oversight Could Help Assure Multiple Programs' Accountability

In 2010, ED reported that it completed its development of performance goals and outcome measures for the Randolph-Sheppard program in June 2007. These performance goals are related to the three explicit purposes of the program: (1) providing blind persons with remunerative employment, (2) enlarging economic opportunities for persons who are blind, and (3) stimulating self-support by persons who are blind. The Department revised and expanded the program's data collection instrument to obtain information necessary to measure program performance. The data collection instrument allows for ad hoc queries and data analysis in a more timely and efficient manner, and provides for greater transparency to the public. In the Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration 2006 Performance Report, published March 17, 2011, The agency establishes standards and performance indicators designed to encourage state agencies to increase average earnings of individuals in the program, and provides data on selected outcomes for 2005 and 2006.

Education initially reported that it is reviewing guidance for the Randolph-Sheppard (R-S) program, is engaged in rulemaking to clarify program requirements in the key area of operation of military food service facilities, and is working with DOD and the Committee for Purchase to obtain a common federal understanding of how state vocational rehabilitation agencies and blind individuals may compete for military cafeteria contracts under the priority afforded by the Randolph-Sheppard Act. On October 21, 2009, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) staff participated in a GAO-sponsored roundtable on healthy food initiatives and provided input and training on the impact on the R-S program with respect to the implementation of this initiative. RSA has continued to maintain the Randolph-Sheppard listservs for state agencies and elected committee chairs, and has disseminated arbitration decisions annually to the states as well. In September 2010, ED reported that, through a series of joint meetings with DOD, ED responded to the development of 32 CFR Part 260, DOD regulations governing Vending Facilities on DOD property. Final regulations were published on November 27, 2009 (62234 Federal Register/ Vol. 74, No. 227/Friday, November 27, 2009/Rules and Regulations). Additionally, RSA staff reviewed proposed guidance updates for the United States Postal Service (EL-602), which was issued in final form in August 2010. RSA staff participated in the training of approximately 100 USPS personnel from throughout the country on RSA and regulations on August 11, 2010. In addition to quarterly guidance provided to SLAs and Federal Property Managing Agencies, RSA hosted a National Randolph-Sheppard Training and Leadership Conference for nearly 400 attendees from state and federal agencies June 2010.

In September 2010, ED reported that it issued the Randolph-Sheppard Self-Assessment Guide to state licensing agencies in the R-S program to help states comply with and prepare for Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) on-site monitoring and other monitoring activities. In July 2010, RSA filled the staff vacancy in the R-S program, allowing it to resume on-site monitoring activities as scheduled in September 2010.

The Committee for Purchase has taken a number of actions to address our recommendation. In July 2007, the Committee held a two-day strategic planning conference that, based on GAO's findings and recommendations, focused on updating its 2007-2009 strategic plan. This effort reduced the number of objectives and measures from approximately 30 to 9 and refined associated metrics that were both realistic and measurable. In April 2009, the Committee further reduced the number of agency goals to 3, along with measurable and achievable objectives. The Committee's current Strategic Plan is streamlined and includes measurable goals and objectives for key aspects of program performance.