UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

> INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
>
> RSA-IM-99-32
>
> DATE: August 26, 1999

ADDRESSEES: STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (GENERAL)

> STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (BLIND)
>
> STATE REHABILITATION COUNCILS
>
> CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
>
> PROTECTION & ADVOCACY OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS PROGRAMS
>
> REGIONAL REHABILITATION CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
>
> AMERICAN INDIAN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICE PROGRAMS
>
> RSA SENIOR MANAGEMENT

SUBJECT: Selection of Chairpersons and Members for the 26th Institute on
Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) Prime Study Groups

CONTENT: The purpose of this Information Memorandum is to inform you of
my selections of chairpersons and members for the 26th IRI prime study
groups. This year we received an enthusiastic response to our request
for nominations. Accordingly, a greater number of individuals than usual
were not selected for participation. We greatly appreciate the response
and interest shown by the vocational rehabilitation community to serve
on this year's study groups.

The selections include a broad variety of individuals from throughout
the rehabilitation field who possess the knowledge and expertise on the
topical areas and who will thoroughly discuss the pertinent issues and
then develop the IRI publications. I hope that you join me in
congratulating those persons appointed to the three prime study groups
for the 26th IRI.

> Attached is a listing for each study group that contains the
> university coordinator, the city where the first two meetings will be
> conducted, the chairperson and the study group members. The university
> coordinators will begin to make arrangements for the first meetings of
> the study groups in the near future.
>
> The National IRI Forum will be held in Washington, DC on May 7--9,
> 2000, at which time the study groups will present their draft
> documents.
>
> The IRI represents a collaborative effort among RSA, CSAVR and the
> RRCEPs in developing a linkage between knowledge development and
> practitioner utilization. It is through this combined effort that we
> hope to strengthen this linkage and to improve the dissemination and
> utilization of the IRI publications. The IRI publications are
> important resources useful in improving the employment of Americans
> with disabilities.
>
> > If you have any questions regarding this Information Memorandum,
> > please contact Mr. Charles Sadler at (202) 205-9286, or via email at
> > Charles_Sadler@ed.gov.
>
> *Fredric K. Schroeder* (signed)
>
> Fredric K. Schroeder, Ph.D.
>
> Commissioner

Attachment

cc: NATIONAL COUNCIL ON INDEPENDENT LIVING

> COUNCIL OF STATE ADMINISTRATORS OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
>
> NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEMS
>
> NATIONAL REHABILITATION FACILITIES COALITION

**Twenty-Sixth Institute on Rehabilitation Issues**

I. Effective Strategies to Improve the Achievement of Employment for
Individuals who are SSI/SSDI Participants

University Coordinator

Daniel McAlees, Director, RRCEP V CRP

University of Wisconsin at Stout

Meeting city: Washington, DC

John Halliday -- Chairperson

Director, Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services

# 

# Study Group Members

Richard Kosmo -- Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Valerie Walker -- Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services

Kathleen Daley -- Utah Division of Rehabilitation Services

Dan O'Brien -- Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

## Joseph Tomasko -- New Jersey Commission f/t Blind & Visually Impaired

Peter Baird -- Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Joseph Hickman -- SSA Representative

Thomas P. Golden -- Cornell University -- ILR Program on Employment and
Disability

Scott A. Lay -- Oregon -- Senior and Disabled Services Division

John Rio -- NY -- Corporation for Supportive Housing

Mary S. Davis -- VR Program Specialist, RSA Central Office

Edna Johnson -- VR Program Specialist, RSA Central Office

II\. The Family as a Critical Partner in the Achievement of a Successful
Employment Outcome

University Coordinator

Jeanne Miller, Director, RRCEP VI

University of Arkansas

Meeting city: Atlanta, Georgia

Elizabeth Parker -- Chairperson

Administrator, District of Columbia Rehabilitation Services
Administration

# Study Group Members

Alfaye Woods -- Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Gene Oulvey -- Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services

Brenda Bercegeay -- Louisiana Rehabilitation Services

Frank Herron -- New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Services

Linda Quarles -- Indiana VR Services, Blind & Visually Impaired Division

Nancy Soper -- Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission

Paul W. Power -- University of Maryland

Deborah Leuchovius -- Minnesota, PACER Center

Sharon Baker -- University of Tulsa

Karyl Jefferson -- Washington, Lummi Nation VR Program

Thomas E. Finch -- Director, Special Projects Division, RSA Central
Office

Darlo J. Koldenhoven -- VR Program Specialist, RSA Region IV

### III. Using the Internet as a Resource to the Work of the VR Counselor

University Coordinator

Donald Dew, Director, RRCEP III

George Washington University

Meeting city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Charles Young -- Chairperson

Administrator, Oregon Commission for the Blind

# Study Group Members

Roger Raybould -- Kentucky Department for the Blind

Donna Ashworth -- West Virginia Department of Rehabilitation Services

James Sarno -- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

Wayland Billingsley -- Georgia Division of Rehabilitation Services

James Knauss -- Texas Rehabilitation Commission

James O'Brien -- Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Robert Stensrud -- Drake University -- National Rehabilitation Institute

David Brooks -- Oklahoma State University -- National Clearinghouse

Jeanne Patterson -- Florida -- Council on Rehabilitation Education

Leon Oehlers -- University of Arkansas

Doug Lawton -- VR Program Specialist, RSA Region III

Don Barrett -- Computer Specialist, Department of Education