About Randolph-Sheppard

The Randolph-Sheppard Act is the only federal initiative designed to assist persons who are blind in developing the skills needed to own and manage their own businesses. Enacted in 1936, the Act originally provided employment opportunities through the operation of vending facilities in federal buildings. Amended and expanded in 1954 and 1974, the Act now gives priority to blind vendors seeking to operate and manage vending facilities on federal property, with those facilities including:

• Automatic vending machines,
• Cafeterias,
• Snack bars,
• Cart service,
• Shelters, and
• Counters.

This priority has been broadened in many states to include state, county, and municipal locations as well.

Under the Randolph-Sheppard program, state licensing agencies (SLA) are responsible for recruiting, training, and licensing individuals who are blind or have vision impairment to manage vending facilities. Most SLAs operate Randolph-Sheppard programs out of their state’s rehabilitative services department, where they are typically referred to as “business enterprise programs.” The US Department of Education also refers to them as “vending facility programs” for individuals who are blind. The Act requires each SLA to allow active participation and feedback from an elected committee in the operations and rules of the program, meaning Randolph-Sheppard policies may differ from state to state.