1. COUNCIL
GROUND RULES
Peter reviewed the
ground rules with the Council and checked with the members to ensure that
everyone understood the rules.
2. ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
Tom
gave a brief overview of Robert’s Rules of Order.
He explained to the Council that, in order to take formal action, there
needs to be a motion, discussion and formal vote.
A friendly amendment
follows the same process as a motion; however, following an amendment, there
must be a discussion of the main motion. The Chair then restates the original
motion, a vote is taken, and the Chair states the results of the vote (motion
passed, motions failed).
If a small group or
committee needs approval, it can be obtained by consensus vote, then the results
are reflected in the minutes. If
action needs to be taken, then the Chair should put the subject into motion
form.
Anyone who is a voting
member can question the motion by a “move to question”.
The discussion on the motion is ended and a vote is conducted. A 2/3 vote
is needed to pass.
Dominick stated that
motions from previous meetings don’t happen.
Tom suggested that a date for the action be put in the motion so it will
be reviewed at the following meeting.
Sharon mentioned the
“parking lot” and that anyone having subjects to discuss at future meetings,
would place their subjects on the list.
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Dominick made the motion
to accept the December 6, 2000 minutes. Peter
seconded with the following corrections: Page 1 #4, remove sentence “Sharon
reported … Council.” Page 2, in
lieu of “ John nominated …law
change.” Substitute “ John nominated Peter as Co-Chair with Doug, and Ralph
seconded the motion. A discussion
followed regarding whether the offices that needed to be voted upon were Chair
and Vice-Chair or Co-Chairs. The
Council bylaws state that the officers are Chair and Vice-Chair.
Dominic made the motion to elect Doug and Peter as Co-Chairs.
Nancy moved for a friendly amendment to Dominick’s motion; that Doug
and Peter serve as Co-Chairs and review of the by-laws go to Policy and
Procedures Committee for review.” Motion
passed.
Dominick asked if he
could receive a list of the names of the people serving on the task force of the
Governor’s Summit. These names
will be provided to the Council members.
Ralph asked for a list
of acronyms used by VR. Tom handed
the members copies of the acronyms listing.
4.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Diane gave a brief
follow up of the Governor’s Summit. A
meeting has been scheduled for the persons nominated to represent each summit
topic group. The members of the
group will create a list of recommendations to be presented to the Governor,
hopefully obtaining the support of the Governor for those recommendations.
Copies of the results of the follow up meeting will be sent to the SRC members. Dominick asked whether there were specific considerations or
accommodations for people with hearing problems discussed at the summit.
General disabilities were discussed.
Diane informed the
Council that the JOBS program for youth with behavioral disabilities would be
expanding to have two more additional sites.
This is a partnership with the Departments of Corrections, Mental Health
and Vocational Rehabilitation. A
three page fact sheet has been developed for the Governor and copies will be
sent to Council members, who might be asked to contact their legislators
regarding the promotion the of JOBS program.
Diane stated that the
Ticket to Work, scheduled to be distributed to SSI or SSD benefit clients in
March, would now be mailed in late spring.
Approximately 22,000 tickets will be mailed, and if only a portion
respond, this will place a large demand on VR and VABIR for services.
Trainings are being held for VR employees and some employees are
traveling to Seattle for additional training.
There was a brief discussion regarding budget issues concerning Ticket to
Work participants. More information
will be available regarding budget issues after the impact of the program is
determined. Currently, 35 to 38 %
of VR customers are receiving SSD, and receiving various information regarding
this program. VR has created basic
written information, which will be sent to the SRC members.
A training program
supported by VR and DET, a likeness to the VCOP program, will begin in mid
March. Approximately twelve people
will be in the program and employed in clerical/administrative support
positions. These people will also
be receiving education courses at CCV.
Dominick questioned
whether the employment positions required using a phone and if any of the
positions were for deaf people. Carol
stated that when working with a customer, adaptation of the workstation could be
done to accommodate the position.
EAP has signed with City
of League and Towns along with the other companies who employ 75-150 people.
Welfare to Work, an
agreement with VR, Department of Labor and Department of Employment &
Training, has negotiated an expansion to 10 counselors to work with welfare
candidates toward permanent jobs. With
the welfare restructure, there will be more referrals to VR and the reach up
counselors will be carrying a caseload of 30 customers. VR counselors handle 80.
Diane is part of a
sub-group who is trying, by August, to establish a youth leadership forum of 15
to 20 youths. The youth participation would be voluntary and the participants
would be “in school youth”.
At the next meeting,
Peter Baird will be scheduled to speak to the Council regarding work incentive
programs, an infrastructure grant, the Medicaid Buy-Out and One-Stops.
It was mentioned that
President Bush has an agenda regarding disability issues.
Diane stated that
NECSAVR is requesting that Congress provide more funds to VR, since funding has
remained level for a number of years. There
is a need to expand transition services with more resources.
Sharon
reported that CSAVR has created a committee of SRC Chairs who will be assembling
in April to discuss issues of the SRC. Peter
and Sharon attended a CSAVR meeting earlier this year.
Michael suggested that
possibly the Department of Education could join the partnership to support the
JOBS program
5.
PETER YOUNGBAER, VERMONT COALLITIAON FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS (VCDR),
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The major changes in
Legislature are in the House leadership/committee Chairs.
There has been a reassignment of people to committees, therefore, the new
legislators assigned have been busy getting background information on the
subject matter of their committee. Although
at the time of the SRC meeting it was thought to be the half way point for
Legislature, the committees were still listening to testimony and holding
hearings. The major issues appeared
to be Act 60, education, pharmaceuticals, and what to do about “at risk”
youth.
Some of the bills
currently introduced are:
·
S.25
regarding American Sign Language, which has unanimous support in the Senate and
House Education Committees support and State colleges, although UVM wanted a
section omitted regarding higher education.
·
S.90
which implements a commission for psychological trauma
·
H.416
regarding the privacy of medical records. Most states are waiting to see what
the Federal Government implements. One of the main reasons for delay is the
issue of confidentiality by the custodial entity if “housed” by a company in
another country.
·
H.85
requires companies that sell medical insurance to seniors, also sell to the
younger generations.
·
Other
miscellaneous bills of interest are the licensing of speech therapist, licensing of audiologists, and the
school budget being voted by Australian ballot.
Issues in the budget
concern, additional funds being provided to the Meals on Wheels program;
additional funds for children with special needs, and other issues relating to
children’s needs.
The Special Education
Committee is reviewing the information from the last session. It was suggested
that possibly the Transition Committee of SRC could help with this legislation
6.
DISABILITY AWARENESS DAY
Disability
Awareness Day is March 28th. There
will be a picture display in Room 11 at the Statehouse.
Orientation will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the House floor.
The activities will then move to the Pavilion Auditorium at 109 State
Street, Montpelier. A performance by the “Kids On The Block” will take place
in the auditorium in the afternoon. Three
films will be shown at the City Hall auditorium. At 6:00 p.m . in the Savoy Theatre a film will be shown
regarding cochlear implants. There will be interpreters at the film and at the
panel discussion following the film presentation.
7.
BUDGET
Tom reminded the
Council that the January/March quarter report showed expenditures through
mid-February and there is always a lag time for some invoices to be processed
and recorded in the report. This
report does not show the expenses for the trip to Assumption College.
Although the interpreters’ costs were underestimated, the majority of
items are just under projection.
8.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STEERING COMMITTE
There was a discussion
regarding the proposed Payment Policy concerning voluntary membership, expense
reimbursement and prior approval from the Steering Committee or Council Officers
for out-of-state travel, meal expenses, accommodations, telephone calls, stamps,
and conferences. Since this was a
recommendation from the Committee, it only needed to be approved and a motion
was not necessary. The Council
approved the recommendation unanimously. It
was noted that if there is a last minute cancellation of a meeting and members
have already arrived at the meeting site, the members would be paid only for the
mileage with no payment for time (per diem).
The Council reviewed
the Guideline to Represent SRC, which was a recommendation from the Steering
Committee. The Council
approved the recommendation unanimously.
POLICY &
PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
The Council reviewed
the Policy &Procedures Fact Sheets. Doug
commended the Committee on its hard work and accomplishment. The Council
approved the recommendation unanimously with the addition of an “s” to the
SELF-EMPLOYMENT SHEET, back page and with the addition of an “s” to the
REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES & HOME MODIFICATIONS back page.
Diane will discuss the matter of distribution to the VR offices with the
VR Regional managers.
Tom presented the
PROPOSED CHANGES TO FUNDING GUIDELINES.
He noted that attendant services has increased up to $8.50 per hour.
Other changes are the interpreter fees and contract changes, tutor
trainer hourly fee, driver fee change, childcare changes, and vehicle
modifications, which does not include vans.
Dominick asked if there
was a change regarding post secondary tuition?
The Committee did have a discussion about raising the amount, but the
discussion was not documented. It
was stated that if higher funding were given to customers by VR, other program
sources would deduct their contributed amount from the customer, which result in
no gain for the customer.
Dominick asked if he
could speak with a representative from VSAC regarding tuition funding.
The Council explained that Dominick could speak with VSAC on his own
behalf or another entity. If he
speaks on behalf of the SRC, he must discuss general disability issues and what
VSAC has to offer from its program to all VR customers. Dominick and Tom will meet with VSAC prior to the June
meeting as representatives of the SRC.
Ralph expressed concern
that people in government education don’t understand the impact in the deaf
community when they make decisions concerning deaf people. Michael will meet
with Ralph to discuss the issues.
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS COMMITTEE
No action taken
MEMBERSHIP & EDUCATION
No action taken
9. TELECOMMUTING SURVEY
Sharon and Julie Noel of
VABIR are working on a telecommuting survey and will send copies to the people
who participated at the Governor’s Summit and the last VABIR conference.
10.
SRC WORKPLAN/GOALS:
The goals were reviewed;
however, the Council did not break into committees as listed on the agenda.
11. PARKING LOT TOPICS FOR NEXT MEETING:
a. VSAC - specific questions relating to VR - 45 minutes with questions
1. Issues regarding deaf parents of hearing children and the educational financial
problems and special needs. Who
decides the financial guidelines for
educational cost?
There is a need to
research special grants. People with disabilities are treated the
same as people
without disabilities although there are special needs for the disabled.
2. Availability of jobs: Problems with higher-level jobs – such as a job
with having to use a telephone, it is not available for a deaf person to hold
this position.
b. New SRC committee assignments.
c. Ticket to Work – Peter Baird, James Smith
12. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3: 25 p.m.