Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

State Rehabilitation Council

What is the State Rehabilitation Council?

Purpose

This Rehabilitation Council is established to develop, analyze, make recommendations, and agree to state goals, the state plan, state policies, and state activities to insure that persons who are blind in the state of Washington receive the most effective and efficient services possible. In addition, it is the purpose of this Council to provide direct public and consumer guidance to the Director of Services for the Blind. It is also the purpose of this Council, where appropriate, to advise or report directly to the Governor, and to make recommendations to the State Legislature to promote efficient and effective services. It is also the purpose of this Council to enhance services, and opportunities and rights of Washingtonians who are blind by working closely with other state councils, state agencies and state organizations whose programs may impact such services.

To read about the Rehabilitation Act that authorizes the Vocational Rehabilitation program click on the following link: The Rehabilitation Act.

Membership

Rights of Members: All members of the Rehabilitation Council shall have the right to vote, hold office and serve on committees.

Term Length: Members are appointed by the Governor for three year terms and may not serve in excess of two terms in succession. The two-term limit does not apply to the Client Assistance Program (CAP) or the American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Representative.

Composition - State Requirements: The Council shall consist of the minimum number of voting members to meet the requirements of the rehabilitation council required under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as now or hereafter amended. Rehabilitation Council members must be Washington State residents and cannot be employees of the Department. (RCW 74.18.070)

Composition - Federal Requirements: To comply with Section 105 of the federal Rehabilitation Act as amended, the Rehabilitation Council shall be composed of the following:

1. One representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council established under section 705.
2. One representative of a parent training and information center established pursuant to section 682(a) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
3. One representative of the client assistance program established under section 112.
4. One qualified vocational rehabilitation counselor, with knowledge of and experience with vocational rehabilitation programs, who shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member of the Council if the counselor is an employee of the designated State agency.
5. One representative of community rehabilitation program service providers.
6. Four representatives of business, industry, and labor.
7. One representative of a disability advocacy group representing individuals who are blind.
8. One representative of an individual who is blind and has multiple disabilities and has difficulty representing himself or herself or is unable due to disabilities to represent himself or herself.
9. Two current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services.
10. One representative of the Director of a section 121 Native American vocational rehabilitation project.
11. One representative of the State educational agency responsible for the public education of students with disabilities
12. One representative of the State workforce investment board.
13. The Director of the designated State unit shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Council.

• SRC Bylaws
• SRC Membership List

For information on how to become a SRC member visit the Governor's Boards and Commissions website and complete an application at: Governor Christine Gregoire | Get Involved - Boards and Commissions. Mail a copy of the application and resume or biography to Marla Oughton, Confidential Secretary, Department of Services for the Blind, 3411 S. Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98118.

Meeting Information

The State Rehabilitation Council meets four times a year on Saturdays throughout the state of Washington. The meetings are held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To request a copy of past meeting minutes, please contact Marla Oughton at maroughton@dsb.wa.gov or by phone at 1-800-552-7103 x 6430.

• September 12, 2009 Meeting Agenda
• September 12, 2009 Meeting Notice
• Approved March Meeting Minutes_030709
• Approved December Meeting Minutes_120608
• Approved September Meeting Minutes_090608
• Approved June Meeting Minutes_060708
• Approved March Meeting Minutes_030108