How large is the Randolph-Sheppard program nationally? How much federal funding does it receive?
There are 2,584 licensed blind vendors, a number that has been declining steadily. These vendors operate about 3,100 facilities, (again a number that is declining) but many venues are small and are therefore combined to produce a respectable income for their operators. Congress is authorized to appropriate federal funds to the Randolph-Sheppard program, but has never done so. The state licensing agencies generally dedicate a small portion of their funds for rehabilitation to the program, and some states require vendors to contribute a reasonable portion of their profits (referred to in the RS Act as a set aside) which can only be allocated for specific purposes expressed by law.
