Date: March 20, 2008

State agency seeks public input for vocational rehabilitation plan

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) is seeking public input to help develop a new “North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation State Plan” for the delivery of its services. The plan is updated annually and will become effective Oct. 1.

Cities and dates of the six public meetings are: Asheville, April 28; Charlotte, April 29; Fayetteville, May 1; Goldsboro, April 23; Raleigh, May 5; and Wilmington, April 24.

Those who may find the meetings of particular interest are people who receive VR services and their families, individuals who work in human services programs or advocacy groups for people with disabilities, and employers.

The topics of discussion may include, but are not limited to: 

• Strategies to improve outreach to minority populations and individuals with the most significant disabilities.
• Priorities that individuals with disabilities would like the public VR program to address.
• Eliminating barriers to participation of individuals with disabilities in the VR program and the state’s supported employment program.
• The responsiveness of VR services to its consumers
• Improving in-school transition services to individuals with disabilities

The scheduled locations are accessible to people with disabilities. Attendees may register to speak upon arrival at the meetings or in advance by calling Paula Jones at (919) 855-3533. Speakers are encouraged to bring a written copy of their comments.

People who are unable to attend one of the meetings may provide input by sending written comments by June 2. The comments should be addressed to: Phil Protz, 2801 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2801, Attn: Planning Unit-State Plan Comments. Comments may also be e-mailed to dvr.stateplan@ncmail.net or faxed to State Plan Comments at (919) 715-1050.

Sign-language interpreters will be available at the meetings. Attendees who require other language- interpreters or other accommodations are asked to make their request  to Ms. Jones at (919) 855-3533 by April 4.

For additional information, contact Protz at (919)855-3567 or e-mail Phil.Protz@ncmail.net. The 2008 State Plan may be viewed online at: http://dvr.dhhs.state.nc.us/DVR/stateplans/stateplan.htm.

Meeting schedule:

• April 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Goldsboro area public meeting: VR Eastern Regional Training Facility, Conference Room, 902 Corporate Drive, Goldsboro. Contact phone: 919-731-7956.
• April 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wilmington area public meeting: Wilmington VR Unit Office, Conference Room, 3340 Jaeckle Drive, Suite 201, Wilmington. Contact phone: 910-251-5710.
• April 28, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Asheville area public meeting: Asheville VR Unit Office, Conference Room, 8 Barbetta Drive, Asheville. Contact phone: 828-670-3377.
• April 29, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Charlotte area public meeting: Charlotte VR Unit Office, Conference Room, 5501 Executive Center Drive, Suite 101, Charlotte. Contact phone: 704-568-8804.
• May 1, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fayetteville area public meeting: Fayetteville VR Unit Office, Conference Room, 1200 Fairmont Court, Fayetteville. Contact phone: 910-486-1101.
• May 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Raleigh area public meeting: VR State (Central) Office, Conference Room 1st Floor, 805 Ruggles Drive on the Dorothea Dix Campus in Raleigh. Contact phone: 919-855-3500.