The Act became law after it was enacted by the United States Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 20, 1936.
The Act was amended and updated significantly in 1974, with then Senator Jennings Randolph pushing the legislation through Congress almost singlehandedly.
It was hoped and expected at the time the 1974 amendments became law that the blind vending facility program could double in size within five years.
Senator Randolph was the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Handicapped of the Senate Labor and Public Welfare Committee, and was responsible for the enactment of other important legislation to improve the lives of people with disabilities, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Education of All Handicapped Children Act.
[2] National management and support are provided under the law by the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the Department of Education.