The Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Advisory Council (RAC) was established in 1993 as mandated under the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. The Council is dedicated to assisting the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to effectively carry out its mission: to empower persons with disabilities, including those with the most severe disabilities, to maximize employment, independence, and integration into society.

The Advisory Council reviews, analyzes, and makes recommendations regarding all aspects of the vocational rehabilitation program in Pennsylvania to the State Board and to OVR's Executive Director, Gil Selders. The RAC is very interested in assuring the maintenance of the highest standards in the vocational rehabilitation process. It is critical that the driving force of the system be the consumer and his/her satisfaction with the delivery of services. To ensure that OVR is customer-driven, the Council continually identifies customers' needs and expectations. Informed choice, timeliness, sensitivity, professionalism, and an appeals process are essential components in an individual's rehabilitation program which must be assured.

For far too long the tremendous contributions to be made by people with disabilities in the work force have been overlooked. The time has come for more businesses throughout the Commonwealth to utilize this untapped resource. By complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and by hiring people with disabilities, employers will expand and enhance their business success.

Mark J. Murphy, Acting Chairperson, Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Advisory Council