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INTRODUCTION
The Rehabilitation Act greatly expanded the role and
responsibilities of the statewide independent living
councils, in effect making them full partners with
vocational rehabilitation in the independent living
process. Primary among the new responsibilities of
the councils is collaborating with the state vocational
rehabilitation agency to develop the state independent
living plan—including determining use of the
independent living funds and monitoring, reviewing,
and evaluating implementation of this state plan.
These responsibilities provide councils with very
significant authority in statewide independent living
program administration—an authority that was
lacking prior to passage of the 1992 Rehab Act Amendments.
Therefore, it is very important that people who are
appointed to the councils be not just knowledgeable
about but also have a real commitment to disability
rights and the independent living philosophy—and
their translation into the kinds of service programs
and advocacy activities that are genuinely appropriate
for independent living centers.
COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Appointment. Members of
the independent living council are appointed
by the governor . The Act requires the governor
to solicit recommendations from organizations representing
a broad range of people with disabilities prior to
selecting individuals to serve as members of the council.
Composition
of the Council. The council membership must include:
- An executive director of an independent living
center whom has been selected by other center directors
in the state to fill this role.
- A representative from the state
vocational rehabilitation agency, who serves in a
nonvoting ex officio role; representatives from other
state agencies providing services to people with
disabilities may also be appointed as nonvoting ex
officio members of council
Other potential council members include staff members
of independent living centers (in addition to the center
director selected by his or her peers), parents and
guardians of people with disabilities, advocates of
and for people with disabilities, representatives from
private business, representatives from organizations
providing services to people with disabilities, and
the catch-all, ‘other appropriate individuals.'
Consumer Control. It is important to note that the
Rehab Act requires that the majority of the members
of the council be comprised of people who are not employed
by a state agency or independent living center.
Membership Qualifications. Individuals
selected to serve as members of the council must:
- be
knowledgeable about independent living centers and
services,
- represent different parts of the
state, and
- represent a broad range of individuals
with disabilities from diverse backgrounds
List of Council
Members
Apply for Membership
Apply to serve on the Independent Living Council using
the form on the Governor’s website.
Please send us a copy of your application because we
review all applications.
SELECTING THE "RIGHT" PEOPLE FOR THE
ILCW
Because of the expanded role that councils will play
in planning and overseeing independent living service
delivery in each state, there will likely be a number
of organizations that will wish to participate in the
appointment process set up by ILCW and the governor’s
office. As a result, persons may be recommended for
appointment to the council who have insufficient understanding
of independent living services and conducting advocacy
activities.
It is of critical importance that people involved
in independent living—those who know best about
the independent living philosophy and what it means
in terms of service delivery and advocacy—establish
a procedure whereby their recommendations can be conveyed
effectively to their governors.
If you have questions about serving on the council
please contact us for more information.
ILCW Job Description(s)
Many questions are usually asked about being an ILCW
member. A common question is the role and time commitment
of an ILCW member? To assist with a better understanding,
some sample job descriptions are linked below:
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