RD30 - Annual Executive Summary and Report of the Virginia Disability Commission


    Executive Summary:

    In compliance with its statutory mandate, in 2006, the Virginia Disability Commission continued “to identify and recommend legislative priorities and policies for adoption or examination by the General Assembly and to provide ongoing support in developing and reviewing services and funding related to Virginians with physical and sensory disabilities." [§ 30-232, Code of Virginia]

    Membership

    Pursuant to Chapter 30 of the Code of Virginia, the Commission consists of six members of the General Assembly, five citizen members, and the Lieutenant Governor. The members of the 2006 Commission are Lieutenant Governor William T. Bolling; Chairman Delegate Michèle B. McQuigg; Vice-Chairman Senator Yvonne B. Miller; Senator Linda T. Puller; Delegate Robert D. Orrock, Sr.; Delegate Kathy J. Bryon; Delegate David J. Toscano; Ms. Sandra A. Cook, Mr. Bev Fleming; Mr. Billy Howell; Dr. Fred Orelove; and Mr. C.W. Van Valkenburgh.

    Meetings

    The Commission met four times during the 2006 interim: July 13, 2006; August 23, 2006; October 11, 2006; and November 13, 2006. The Housing Work Group of the Disability Commission met on October 10, 2006.

    At the July meeting, the Commission heard presentations that reviewed 2006 legislation, budget measures, the activities of the Housing Work Group, and the services provided by the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI); the Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH); and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD). At the August meeting, the Commission heard presentations on the operations and funding for the State Independent Living Council (SILC), the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL), Centers for Independent Living (CILs), and Disability Services Boards (DSBs). At the October meeting, the Commission focused on presentations about state and federal employment opportunities for Virginians with disabilities. At the November meeting, the Commission heard updates from the Housing Work Group, the Department of Transportation, the Joint Commission on Health Care, the Virginia Autism Council, and the Director of Community Integration for People with Disabilities. The Commission also reviewed legislative proposals for the 2007 session.

    Meeting agendas, materials, and summaries are available on the Commission webpage: http://dls.state.va.sus/disability.htm.


    Legislative Proposals and Actions Adopted by the Commission

    The Commission formally endorsed the following proposals and actions:

    • Legislation to repeal the 2007 sunset provision of the Virginia Disability Commission.

    • Legislation to rename the disabled tax credit, the "Livable Home Tax Credit," and to extend its benefits to taxpayers who build or purchase a new residence with universal home accessibility features.

    • DRS budget bill amendment of $350,000 to support the economic development of state Employment Services Organizations.

    • 2007 Work Plan of the Behavioral Health Care Subcommittee of the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) to study Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and find a state agency "home" for autism.

    • 2007 Work Plan of the Housing Work Group of the Disability Commission.

    • DRS proposal to study "state use" programs (where government agencies purchase products from community organizations that employ persons with severe disabilities) across the country in view of changing "state use" law in Virginia.

    • DRS proposal to examine existing federal and state law, regulations, and state practices regarding employment of disabled persons in the Commonwealth.

    • Letters to the Virginia Autism Council and other agencies involved in support of the JCHC study on ASD, efforts on issues such as increased autism training, and related budget initiatives.

    • Letter requesting DRS to study the role, function, and outcome measures of DSBs, the use of the Rehabilitative Services Incentive Fund (RSIF), and the impact of CILs on quality of life.

    • Letter to the Department of Veterans Services urging collaboration with other agencies and the Brain Injury Association of Virginia to address the needs of veterans returning from Iraq with brain injuries.

    A final report concerning the Commission’s activities and recommendations will appear at a later date as Report Document No. 30 (2007).