WVSILC to host public meetings for 2010 Disability Caucus
The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (WVSILC) has scheduled community meetings to discuss the 2010 WV Disability Caucus and help interested persons complete registration forms. Stipends are available for people with disabilities and family members to attend at no cost, and applications will also be available at the community meetings.
The meetings begin June 14 in Spencer and Welch, and end June 30 in West Union. A complete schedule is posted here.
The 2010 Caucus includes a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ADA. The Caucus is a statewide conference for people with disabilities providing training on leadership, self-advocacy, peer support, and disability rights laws. People with disabilities (and family members) statewide attend the Caucus and have the opportunity to develop skills, network, and develop strategies for addressing the problems of West Virginians with disabilities.
"This is the statewide celebration of the enactment of the first civil rights law for people with disabilities in the world – our 'Independence Day'," Ann McDaniel, WVSILC executive director, said.
"This is a chance to celebrate and to learn more about this landmark legislation."
The registration deadline to register for the Caucus is Friday, July 2. Registration packets and more information are available by contacting the WVSILC at 1-800-642-8207 ext. 4624 or at www.wvsilc.org.
This media release, including the complete schedule of meetings, also is available for download here in the Adobe Reader PDF format.
Three-year plan available for review
The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), in cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services, is accepting comments from the public on the draft State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for federal fiscal years 2011-2013 (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2013).
The Draft SPIL may be reviewed here, or a printed copy may be requested by contacting the SILC office at 304-766-4624 or 800-642-8207 ext. 4624 or via e-mail.
Public meetings will be conducted to receive public comments in March and April. An announcement of the dates and locations of those meetings will be posted soon.
The SPIL will be finalized by June 2, and must be submitted to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), US Department of Education by June 30, 2010.
Nominations open for WVSILC council
The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council is recruiting applicants for membership on the Council to fill vacancies for terms beginning July 1, 2010.
The Council (mandated by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the 2001 WV Independent Living Act) monitors, reviews, and evaluates independent living services provided through the State Plan for Independent Living, developed jointly with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services.
Attached please find a description of the Council and the responsibilities of council members, along with a nomination form. Review the responsibilities carefully and apply only if you are willing to fulfill the responsibilities. The Council seeks to maintain representation of all disability groups. If you or someone you know would like to apply for nomination to the Council, please return the completed application form by March 14, 2010. Please feel free to duplicate this notice and the application form and share it with as many individuals as you wish.
Applications will be reviewed by, and nominees selected by, the Council. Nominees selected will be submitted to the Governor for appointment to the Council. This process can be lengthy and new members are not always appointed before the terms begin in July. We appreciate your patience. If you have questions or need further information or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Ann Watts McDaniel
Executive Director
