Which legislation authorized vocational rehabilitation counselors to pay for interpreters for deaf clients?

The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1965 is significant because it marked one of the first federal efforts to provide aid to individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf. Under this legislation, vocational rehabilitation counselors were empowered to facilitate the employment of individuals with disabilities, which included the provision of necessary services and resources. Specifically, the Act authorized the payment for interpreters to support deaf clients in accessing vocational training and employment opportunities, recognizing the importance of effective communication in achieving successful outcomes.

The act addressed barriers that individuals with disabilities faced in the workforce and aimed to enhance their ability to live independently and gain employment. As a result, it directly contributed to the inclusion of interpreters as a critical service for facilitating access to vocational training and employment for deaf individuals.