Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2003
Letter From The Chairperson
October 12, 2003
Dear Friends and Members of the Disability Community:
It has been a pleasure to serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council during fiscal year 2003. Over this year, I have seen the Council work to fulfill its mission in a variety of ways. We have expanded our educational development program of our members to encourage discussion of important topics such as the Ticket to Work, and Social Security benefits. We have continued our efforts to strengthen communication between the Council and OVR and BBVS, and through our participation in various workgroups, we have provided direct input into the revision of vocational rehabilitation policies, which directly impact individuals with disabilities in our state. Perhaps most important in this time of reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act, our legislative committee reached out to Congress, stressing the importance of equality of opportunity for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Through our personal visits, we demonstrated to our legislators the vital role of public vocational rehabilitation in the lives of people with disabilities.
As I assume the responsibilities of Chairperson for the coming year, I am filled with anticipation of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to helping to plan, and to participating in our second of several customer satisfaction forums, and to working with other stakeholders to improve the methods by which vocational rehabilitation surveys its customers. Above all, I look forward to helping to create a dynamic and diverse Council where we can all work together as a catalyst for positive change for individuals with disabilities.
Jamie C. Ray, Chairperson, 2003