Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Council

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

MEETINGMinutes

November 10, 2014

9:30am-1:00pm

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. The meeting was called to order at approximately 9:31 a.m. by vice chairperson Kevin McAlllister.
3. ROLL CALL
4. Please see attached roll
5. CONSENT AGENDA

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS VRAC MEETING

The Minutes were approved as dispatched.

1. OLD BUSINESS

A. EVALUATION OF CALENDAR EVENTS

- WHITE CANE DAY/ TECHNOLOGY FAIR - Kevin McAllister

Overall attendance and vendors were up. The location was better as it was central in the state. We need to get legislators involved. We hope to have Comcast sponsorship in 2015.

MEETING WITH ANIL LEWIS, NATIONAL FREDERATION ON THE BLIND

Education issues should be addressed by the Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Council and parent teamwork along with aggression.

- DELAWARE VR TRANSITION CONFERENCE -

DVI/VR was unable to give the actual numbers of their students who attended the transition conference as they did not take registration.

B. LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES

- IEP Task Force Meetings

Sonya Lawrence and Debbie Harrington have addressed transition concerns. They have also had comments added to the Minutes of the IEP Task Force. They will recommend a task force transition for the blind and visually impaired. We continue to seek legislators, particularly those dealing with education. A letter will be drafted from VRAC.

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- Department of Health and Social Services Budget Hearings

We need more information concerning this hearing. Public comments can be made at the hearing. VRAC should be represented. More information will be forth coming. November 20, 2014

- VISION EDUCATION TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES

The student/teacher ratio is not the major issue. The task force resolution has been drafted and sent to Dave Lawson. We will get further instructions in January.

C. DVI/DDOE/LEA MOU DEVELOPMENT

The Memo of understanding between the Department of Education, Division for the Visually Impaired. And the local Education agencies has not been finalized. The director of DVI has done his part. We are waiting for the local education agencies.

D. REPORTS FROM CAP AND SILC REPRESENTATIVES

The CAP representative was not present at the meeting. The SILC representative had to leave the meeting due to a minor health problem. Sshe is to send a written report.

The question was asked about housing for the visually impaired. Carma Carpenter, from United Cerebral Palsy helps with housing. She asked if DVI would be interested in housing. They have a navigator through which referrals are made. DVI will be posting for a navigator. Carma will help work through the process with DVI.

BREAK

V. NEW BUSINESS –

A. SRC PROGRAM DECEMBER 8, 2014

We received an invitation from the DVR/SRC to their recognition luncheon. Many of us blind consumers had difficulty retrieving the information from the invitation. It stated that it starts at 12 noon but did not give an ending time. This is important for those of us using paratransit. Information will be forth coming regarding this event.

B. ADDRESSING CONSUMER CONCERNS

There are a good number of consumer concerns that need to be addressed, but were not done at this meeting.

C. VRAC RESOURCE PLAN APPROVA

Kevin is working on our resource plan. The two major conferences, CSAVR and NCSRC, will be included for 2015 along with marketing items and supplies.

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D.

E. STATEWIDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT

There was little discussion regarding the statewide needs assessment. The last 3 assessments have not captured all that should be in the assessments.

F. ANNUAL REPORT DEVELOPMENT

The administrative coordinator has kept reports on all our major events during the year. These can be gathered and put together in a presentable manner.

F. VRAC COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alfred Perkins reported on the work of the Employment Committee. Debbie Briddell is to meet with Bonnie Hitch in the next week regarding accessible documentation with DART. Suzanne Howelll had the report for the public relations committee, but had to leave before her presentation. Our legislative agenda shows the work of the education committee.

The nomination form for electing officers for the upcoming year will be forth coming.

G. VRAC OFFICER SELECTIONS/NOMINATING COMMITTEE

VI. DVI

DVI VR Administrator Report

Please see attached VR summary.

DVI Director’s Report

Please see attached Director’s report

VII. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

The next VRAC meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2014. Location and time is to be determined. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah Briddell, Administrative Coordinator

DE Vocational Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Blind