September 9, 2005
Dear PaRC Members and Friends of the Disability Community:
I write this letter with mixed emotions. First, it has been my pleasure to have served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Council. This year has seen a great deal of work by the council members, and I would like to set forth a number of accomplishments which have been made by the Rehabilitation Council. To begin with, we held 2 Public Forums, allowing consumers an opportunity to voice their concerns as they relate to matters which effect individuals with disabilities. These forums are our way of showing our need to react to those individual concerns of the community.
I am also pleased that Council members for the first time made visits to our Pennsylvania Legislators in October 2004, and again attended the National Rehabilitation Association conference held in Washington, D.C. in March of 2005. This afforded members a chance to meet with Legislators and discuss issues of a Federal nature which impact on the lives of the Disabled community, these visits allowed members to present Council approved position papers.
Another accomplishment that I would like to highlight is our continuing efforts with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, OVR, to assure CareerLink Accessibility for disabled persons. This has been an ongoing effort, and I am happy to report that we feel we have made considerable progress in this area.
The composition of the PaRC has changed in its membership, and we recruited 13 new members, and had 3 reappointments. These new members have all participated on a variety of committees, and have worked very hard, with all committees.
I am glad to report that the Disability Agenda Committee was successful in completing its annual Report well in advance of the deadline. We also completed our State Plan Attachment early allowing it to be included in the State Plan.
Several Council members were proud to attend the State Rehabilitation Council Training this past August held in Philadelphia. This gave our members an opportunity to mingle with members of Rehabilitation Councils from other States.
In conclusion, I want to thank the Council for allowing me an experience I will never forget by allowing me to Chair each meeting. It has been my pleasure and honor to have worked with a group of sincerely dedicated individuals. I will never forget this honor and privilege, and I shall continue to advocate for the needs of the Disabled. It is with a sincere feeling of accomplishment that I pass on the Chairmanship to our new and very competent new Chair, and I am sure that he will receive the same cooperation that I have received. In closing I would simply like once again wish to thank all the members of the PaRC, for their love and support for me in a personally difficult year, I will never forget all of you, members and Staff.
Sincerely
Thomas M. Walsh