Federal legislation and programs affecting personal assistance services for persons with disabilities are examined. Personal assistance services may be provided for activities of daily living, communication, cognitive tasks, or mobility, depending on the needs of the individual. The population in need of attendant services has increased with advances in medical treatment and emergency services, but precise data on the number of persons are not currently available. Available funding sources include Medicaid, Medicare, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Veterans Administration programs, Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and others. Issues in the provision of personal assistance services include: definition of certain tasks as medical or nonmedical, eligibility requirements, systems for delivery of services, funding, and the cost of meeting the demand for attendant services. Recommendations call for implementation of a cost-effective process for supporting community-based personal assistant services for persons with severe disabilities, and establishment of a national policy that makes personal services accessible for people with all types of disabilities on the basis of functional need. (JDD)