This paper documents the gap between the supply of and demand for adult services in each state of the United States, places this situation in its political context to explain why this gap exists, and discusses policy alternatives. The paper profiles the nature of the population of individuals with disabilities exiting public education and examines its service needs, citing the long waiting lists for adult rehabilitation services. The paper argues that adult services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act are viewed by the Federal Government as supplementary to a basic income maintenance program, primarily for the purpose of reducing the costs of income maintenance. Policy alternatives include industrial-based training for disabled individuals, greater emphasis on vocational education, and redefining the goal of special education from competitive employment to increased quality of life. The paper concludes that, given the acute shortage of adult services, steps must be taken to either rethink the basic premise of the rehabilitation system or create innovative programs in other sectors. (Contains 15 references.) (JDD)