Partners

The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC)

The SRC carries out its purpose by performing the following duties and responsibilities:

• Review, analyze and advise the VR agency regarding its performance of responsibilities that affect the ability of consumers to achieve employment outcomes;

• Develop, agree to and review State goals and priorities of the VR program;

• Assist VR in the preparation of the VR State Plan, amendments to the plan and needs assessment;

• Review and analyze the effectiveness of the VR Program and consumer satisfaction;

• Prepare and submit a VR annual report to the Governor and Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration; and

• Coordinate its activities with the activities of other disability-related councils within the State.

 

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Hawaii (SILCH)

The SILCH is made up of representatives who are appointed by the Governor. SILCH is a consumer controlled organization which develops, monitors and evaluates the federally funded State Plan for Independent Living in the State of Hawaii, promotes the independent living philosophy statewide and provides support and technical assistance to the entire network of Independent Living Centers (ILC) in Hawaii. The Independent Living Centers consist of five community based organizations run by and for people with disabilities.

 

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board (DHHAB) represents consumers and agencies serving deaf and hard of hearing people statewide. The DHHAB advises VR on service improvement to deaf and hard of hearing persons. The DHHAB advocated successfully for representatives on the State Rehabilitation Council and for the restoration of two Social Service Assistant positions at Deaf Services Section. The Empowerment committee is developing workshops to empower, enrich and educate deaf and hard of hearing community members.

 

Ho’opono Advisory Board

The Ho’opono Advisory Board is made up of both blind and sighted members of our community. The board assists and advises the Services for the Blind Branch in policy making, program planning and budgeting, education and public relations. Board meetings are held four times a year and consist of fifteen members. Administrative staff of Ho’opono also attend the meetings.

 

Successful Transitions in Diverse Environments (STRIDE) Hawai’i

Successful Transitions in Diverse Environments (STRIDE) Hawai’i is a collaborative project to design, develop, implement, and evaluate an effective vocational rehabilitation model for mentoring culturally-diverse youth and young adults with disabilities as they transition into meaningful community environments, post-secondary education or employment.