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Originally passed in 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Act creates entrepreneurial opportunities for blind people to achieve their "maximum vocational potential" through the operation of food and vending service businesses located on any federal property.  In 1974, Congress clearly showed confidence in the program when it expanded the Act to include the operation of cafeterias by blind operators in order to demonstrate their capacity to perform management duties.

Most state legislatures--including Wisconsin's--have adopted a "Mini Randolph-Sheppard Act" which provides a similar right in state, county, city, and municipal buildings.  Forty-six states and the District of Columbia now participate in the Randolph-Sheppard program.  Their duties also include management of all troop dining services at 38 separate military installations located in the United States.  By designating an agency to license the vendors in each state, (referred to as the State Licensing Agency), the Department of Education, through the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, oversees and regulates the implementation of the Act.

Randolph-Sheppard is by far the most successful effort to provide employment for blind individuals in the history of the country, and is also the most successful disability-targeted program for providing real opportunities--with competitive wages--in the history of the country.

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