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Virginia’s Only Systems Level Forum – Virginia’s Disability Commission.
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Virginia's Disability Commission
Disability 101: Disability Organizations – Who They Are and What They Do
October is National Disability Awareness Month and we are taking a look at some of the organizations who support, educate, and advocate on behalf of those with disabilities.
Last month, I wrote about the disability service networks that were established by federal law. These were institutional stakeholders set up to shape policies and advocate for needed reforms or services. Here is an important player at the state level.
Virginia’s Only Systems Level Forum – Virginia’s Disability Commission. Virginia’s Disability Commission was created in 1990 by a joint resolution of the Virginia General Assembly to identify priorities that need to be examined by Virginia’s General Assembly in order to provide on-going support in developing and reviewing services and funding related to Virginians with physical and sensory disabilities. The Commission is made up of members of Virginia’s House of Delegates, Virginia’s State Senate, 5 citizen members and Virginia’s Lt. Governor, who serves as the Commission’s Chairperson. The Commission is set to expire in July 2012.
The Commission initially released a ten-year plan of action designed to help those with disabilities. It has also released subsequent legislative plans of action which you can read by clicking on this link here.
UPDATE: I add previously written that the Chair of the Commission is the Lt. Governor of the state. Prior to 2006 this was was the case. After 2006, the role of the chair was to be filled by a legisaltive member of the Commission. Regardless, the The fact that the Chair of the Commission is the Lt. Governor, and Delegates and Senators serve on this Commission creates an advantageous situation where important concerns of the Commission can become a priority not only for any Administration, but also for the General Assembly where Senators and Delegates can make a tremendous difference in influencing resources, oversight and services for disability community.
The Commission has been in the news during the current gubernatorial election, where the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor announced her agenda to help Virginians with disabilities while criticizing her Republican opponent, the current Lt. Governor, for not attending one single meeting of the Commission.
You can find out more information about Virginia’s Disability Commission by clicking here.
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