Changes coming to your Center for Independent Living?
Federal administrative chief resigns in protest.

Last month the RSA Commissioner Joanne Wilson, appointed by President Bush, resigned “in protest.” Your local Center for Independent Living reports to a federal agency called the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). RSA works with state agencies that receive the federal funds to ensure that the work is done and to create a cohesive state plan that includes Independent Living.

This past Fall, rumors were circulated that significant upheaval was in the works for RSA. The buzz was that the Bush Administration would cut RSA staff in half and close regional offices. On February 7, 2005 the Administration announced that it would close all the RSA regional offices and cut personnel from 138 to around 70 working exclusively from the Washington DC office.

Joanne Wilson announced her resignation the next day.

Ms. Wilson’s resignation came at a time that makes it look like she disagrees with the administrations plans for RSA. It was not until after she left her position that Ms. Wilson affirmed the obvious, she quit in protest. She told the Washington Post that the Bush Administration’s is pushing to allow governors to combine RSA programs with a number of other job placement programs that serve both the disabled and the able-bodied. The net result of such a move, she said, would be less money and fewer services dedicated to helping those with disabilities.

Ms. Wilson also said the Department of Education is pushing to downgrade the authority of the RSA commissioner.

"Programs for people with disabilities are being dismantled,” Joanne Wilson told the Washington Post, “and nobody is crying out and saying, 'Look what's happening,’”

The Administration responded stating that most parts of the Department of Education made similar changes years ago.

"Even though you combine it with other programs,” said John Hager, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services, “it's going to be the responsibility of the states to use it responsibly and to generate the results that they are going to be required to have in order to qualify for the money." 

“I believe she thought these plans, if implemented, would mean the end of comprehensive employment services for people with disabilities throughout the nation,” said Dr. Fred Schroeder a past commissioner of the RSA, “and as a person of conscience she would not—could not—be a part of any plan that would harm people with disabilities.” [The Braille Monitor, March 2005]

Congress will have to address the reorganization in 2006. Andy Imparato of the AAPD is waiting for more information on the impact of this on overall disability policy. The total effect of Joanne Wilson’s protest resignation may not have an immediate consequence on the lives of people with disabilities, but an alert has been sounded through the disability community.