Fall 2002 Newsletter
SILC Member Appointed to Disability Commission
This newsletter is pleased to announce that Blue Ridge Independent Living Center Executive Director Karen Michalski-Karney has been appointed to Virginia's Disability Commission.
Since 1990, the unmet service needs of individuals with physical and sensory disabilities in Virginia have been addressed by the Disability Commission, a legislative commission chaired by the Lieutenant Governor and staffed by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. The Commission provides a vehicle for advancing budget proposals and addressing policy issues within a vision for a service system that is coordinated, community-based and consumer-driven.
The Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is charged with providing staff support to the legislative Disability Commission. The Commission, in turn, focuses on the needs and issues facing Virginians with physical and sensory disabilities.
Beginning in 2000, the Commission decided to focus on systems level issues, particularly in the areas of employment, housing and transportation. Currently, the Commission is monitoring the implementation of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in Virginia. The Commission wants to ensure that the local One-Stop Job Training Centers are fully accessible and responsive to individuals with disabilities. The Commission is also hearing from an inter-agency group on the potential for establishing a Medicaid Buy In program for Virginians with Disabilities who return to work and see their incomes grow. Finally, in the areas of housing and transportation, the Commission is looking for ways to encourage coordination at the state and local levels in order to get the most out of all available resources in order to tackle these problems.
During the 2002-2003 period, the Disability Commission is expected to meet four times. It is customary that each meeting, except for the last one (the legislative meeting), will provide a public comment period. The Commission held its first meeting of this period in July of this year. During the remaining meetings the Commission will continue its action-oriented agenda on Housing, Employment and Transportation, three of the most critical areas affecting the lives of persons with disabilities.
Congratulations to Karen Michalski-Karney on her appointed to this Commission.
The Disability Commission is dependent upon the input and involvement of consumers and advocates to best inform deliberations, so you are asked to attend all Commission meetings (dates to be announced). For more information, please contact Brian Parson, Director of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities 800-846-4464.
