§ 711. — Evaluation.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 29USC711]
TITLE 29--LABOR
CHAPTER 16--VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND OTHER REHABILITATION SERVICES
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 711. Evaluation
(a) Statement of purpose; standards; persons eligible to conduct
evaluations
For the purpose of improving program management and effectiveness,
the Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner, shall evaluate all
the programs authorized by this chapter, their general effectiveness in
relation to their cost, their impact on related programs, and their
structure and mechanisms for delivery of services, using appropriate
methodology and evaluative research designs. The Secretary shall
establish and use standards for the evaluations required by this
subsection. Such an evaluation shall be conducted by a person not
immediately involved in the administration of the program evaluated.
(b) Opinions of program and project participants
In carrying out evaluations under this section, the Secretary shall
obtain the opinions of program and project participants about the
strengths and weaknesses of the programs and projects.
(c) Data as property of United States
The Secretary shall take the necessary action to assure that all
studies, evaluations, proposals, and data produced or developed with
Federal funds under this chapter shall become the property of the United
States.
(d) Information from other departments and agencies
Such information as the Secretary may determine to be necessary for
purposes of the evaluations conducted under this section shall be made
available upon request of the Secretary, by the departments and agencies
of the executive branch.
(e) Longitudinal study
(1) To assess the linkages between vocational rehabilitation
services and economic and noneconomic outcomes, the Secretary shall
continue to conduct a longitudinal study of a national sample of
applicants for the services.
(2) The study shall address factors related to attrition and
completion of the program through which the services are provided and
factors within and outside the program affecting results. Appropriate
comparisons shall be used to contrast the experiences of similar persons
who do not obtain the services.
(3) The study shall be planned to cover the period beginning on the
application of individuals with disabilities for the services, through
the eligibility determination and provision of services for the
individuals, and a further period of not less than 2 years after the
termination of services.
(f) Information on exemplary practices
(1) The Commissioner shall identify and disseminate information on
exemplary practices concerning vocational rehabilitation.
(2) To facilitate compliance with paragraph (1), the Commissioner
shall conduct studies and analyses that identify exemplary practices
concerning vocational rehabilitation, including studies in areas
relating to providing informed choice in the rehabilitation process,
promoting consumer satisfaction, promoting job placement and retention,
providing supported employment, providing services to particular
disability populations, financing personal assistance services,
providing assistive technology devices and assistive technology
services, entering into cooperative agreements, establishing standards
and certification for community rehabilitation programs, converting from
nonintegrated to integrated employment, and providing caseload
management.
(g) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
such sums as may be necessary.
(Pub. L. 93-112, Sec. 14, formerly Sec. 12, as added Pub. L. 105-220,
title IV, Sec. 403, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1110; renumbered Sec. 14,
Pub. L. 105-277, div. A, Sec. 101(f) [title VIII, Sec. 402(a)(1)], Oct.
21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681-337, 2681-412.)
Prior Provisions
Provisions similar to this section were contained in section 713 of
this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105-220.
A prior section 711, Pub. L. 93-112, Sec. 12, as added Pub. L. 95-
602, title I, Sec. 122(a)(10), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2985; amended Pub.
L. 99-506, title I, Sec. 104, title X, Sec. 1001(a)(4), Oct. 21, 1986,
100 Stat. 1811, 1841; Pub. L. 100-630, title II, Sec. 201(e), Nov. 7,
1988, 102 Stat. 3304; Pub. L. 102-569, title I, Sec. 105, Oct. 29, 1992,
106 Stat. 4361, related to administration of this chapter, prior to
repeal by Pub. L. 105-220, title IV, Sec. 403, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat.
1093. See section 709 of this title.
A prior section 14 of Pub. L. 93-112 was renumbered section 16 and
is classified to section 713 of this title.
Another prior section 14 of Pub. L. 93-112 was classified to section
713 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105-220.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 705 of this title.
