The Virginia Advisory Legislative Council's Study of the Needs of the Handicapped was established as a result of Senate Joint Resolution No. 36 which was adopted by the 1970 Session of the Virginia General Assembly.

Senator Henry E. Howell, Jr., of Norfolk, a member of the Council, was appointed Chairman of a Committee to conduct the initial study. Other members selected to serve on that Committee were Senator George S. Aldhizer, II, of Broadway, Mr. Walter Bartkin of Springfield, Senator Adelard L. Brault of Fairfax, Delegate John N. Dalton of Radford, Mr. Arthur S. Guille of Norfolk, Delegate Robert R. Gwathmey, III of Hanover, Senator William B. Hopkins of Roanoke, Mrs. A. B. Jackson of Norfolk, Mr. Alexander Kyrus of Norfolk, Mr. Louis Michaux of Richmond, Mrs. Bernice Munsey of Arlington, Mrs. Ruth Page of Arlington, Mr. Karl Schmeidler of Alexandria, Mr. R. Sams Smith of Fairfax, Miss Mary Switzer of Alexandria, and Mr. A. Darden Towe of Charlottesville.

Mr. George B. Anderson of Danville was elected Vice-Chairman.

The Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and the Division of Statutory Research and Drafting made staff and facilities available to carry out this study; they assigned the necessary employees to assist the members and the study group at all times.

The Committee invited professionals from throughout the Commonwealth to serve as advisors, to design the study and to assist in gathering information. It divided itself into three Subcommittees, each dealing with a major classification of services -- health, education, and rehabilitation. Public hearings, well attended by associations and individual citizens, were conducted in Richmond, Norfolk and Arlington.

Senate Joint Resolution No. 36 hints at the enormity and complexity of the needs of all of the handicapped. This report contains first general, then specific, needs which the Study has revealed, as well as some ultimate goals. As money is available, it is recommended that all such needs and goals be met. But, recognizing that sufficient resources will not be available during the next biennium to accomplish all that is needed, specific priorities are recommended for that period. The Report concludes with legislative proposals which, if enacted, will accomplish such initial steps toward fulfilling the requirements of Virginia's handicapped citizens.

Representatives of the Departments of Health, Mental Hygiene and Hospitals, Education, and Vocational Rehabilitation worked closely throughout the Study with members of this Committee. It is earnestly hoped that, in addition to the enactment of specific legislative proposals presented herein, the budget requests of these Departments relating to the welfare of the handicapped be given careful consideration as funds are available.