The State Rehabilitation Council was established in the 1992 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act. This is an advisory council for the State Vocational Rehabilitation agency. Meetings are held 4 times per year.

There are roughly 20 members at any given time. The majority of members have a disability. Members are selected by executive committee and recommended to the State Board of Education for appointment.

Four standing committees currently exist. They are executive, client services & satisfaction, transition and placement.

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing, analyzing, and advising the agency regarding agency performance related to:
  • Eligibility, including order of selection;
  • Extent, scope and effectiveness of agency services; and
  • Functions performed by State agencies that affect the ability of individuals with disabilities to achieve an employment outcome
• In partnership with the agency:
  • Develop, agree to and review state goals and priorities;
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the program and submit annual progress reports to the RSA Commissioner; and
  • Conduct a statewide needs assessment of individuals with disabilities living in the state every three years.
• Advise the agency regarding agency activities.
• Assist in the preparation of the State Plan, amendments to the plan, applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations, including those necessary for the agency to satisfy the requirements of developing a ‘comprehensive system of personnel development’ and establishing an ‘order of selection’.
• Review and analyze the effectiveness of and the consumer satisfaction with:
  • Agency functions;
  • Agency services provided by the agency and other entities; and
  • Employment outcomes achieved by eligible individuals served by the agency.
• Prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and RSA on the status of agency services. The report is made available to the public. The report can be found on the SRC website.
• Coordinate the activities of the Council with activities of other councils such as the:
  • State Independent Living Council (SILC);
  • IDEA advisory panel;
  • State Developmental Disabilities Council;
  • State Mental Health Planning Council; and
  • State Workforce Investment Board.
• Provide for the coordination and the establishment of working relationships between the agency and the SILC and centers for independent living
• Perform other functions that it determines appropriate and comparable to its other functions, provided they are consistent with the purpose of Title I of the Rehabilitation Act and its implementing regulations.

Impact on Agency and Staff

On occasion the Council will invite staff to their meeting to present information. The Council might also survey staff to get input on various activities that staff are involved in.

Often the Council studies statistical data gathered from the agency. In addition they survey consumers we are serving. Based on the input they get from constituents they represent along with information from agency staff, consumers and data, they provide recommendations for the agency to consider. Some of the changes in policy and procedure staff experience come from recommendations made by the Council.

The Council also has input on formal policy that is recorded in Rule 72. The agency annual report is developed by the Council as well.