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Providing service for persons with disabilities in state, Valley communities

Valley Morning Star - 6/11/2017

Without fanfare, publicity or ado, the Governors Texas State Independent Living Council (SILC) convened their quarterly meeting in Harlingen from May 19th to May 21st.

With a very full agenda for the 3 days, the Council, made up of 12 members (51 percent of who must be a person with disability) whom reside in all regions of our state, and appointed by the Governor; not only are responsible for the development of the three-year plan for the provision of services for persons with disabilities in our State, but also complete many other functions of concern; to include, but not limited to, physical and mental health care, transportation, accessibility and parking, emergency planning, personal care attendants'; and various other independent living services.

The meeting agenda for the meetings were very extensive.

The Council began their activities on Friday, May 19, by co-hosting a widely publicized Town Hall meeting which took place at the beautiful Region One building in Edinburg. The Town Hall meeting, held between 10am and 12 noon, which included discussions of important issues related to the disability community, was attended by a very large group of concerned individuals; to include a large group of deaf and blind participants and many others with disabilities. With the staff of the Council joining with the Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL), there was a lot of meaningful participation by those in attendance as well as call-in individuals.

Translation services were provided for the deaf, the blind, and other than English speaking individuals. Written material, to include the State Plan for Independent Living was provided in English, Spanish, and Brail. Of particular note was the service provided by Communications Access in Real Time (Cart) which was most exceptional.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the staff and Council members were provided a most wonderful tour of the VAIL facility, in McAllen; headed up by the VAIL Director Susan Nelson. The Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL) is but one of the 27 Independent Living Centers covering all regions of our State. The VAIL Region covers a vast amount of territory and counties, from Laredo to Brownsville and all of the surrounding Counties; providing most meaningful services from setting up transitional living from hospitals to the community for those individuals with disabilities; services for the deaf and blind, mental illness, mobility issues, etc.

They provide a most wonderful service to our communities, working most tediously and diligently in this regard. I have always been most impressed with them.

On Saturday, May 20, the council and staff received an all-day training session on Leadership and Responsibilities for Council Members presented by Paula McElwee, of the Independent Living Research Utilization organization with offices in Herman Hospital, Houston, Texas.

The session was followed in the evening with a get-together at the home of Council member Dr. Ralph E. Jones.

On Sunday, the 21st of May, the Council met in their regularly scheduled business meeting in Harlingen, with a very fully-packed all-day agenda, and led by the Council Chairperson, Mr. Jim Bachelor ; to include discussion of the State Councils by-laws amendments, election of officers, subcommittee assignments, policy and procedures manual revisions, the FY 2018 budget proposal draft, and other important issues of concern to the Council.

Sandra Breitengroiss- Bitter, the Executive Director for the Council, provided a report on activities of involvement and other business of the Council's staff.

Although the activities of the SILC Council and VAIL, most specifically the Town Hall meeting, were most widely publicized in the "Upper Valley," it was not in the "Lower Valley." All these events were most important for all those who live in the region?in the many hamlets, towns, and cities of our Rio Grande Valley.

I was rather disappointed that the events were not publicized in our Harlingen to Brownsville communities, as they are of importance to all; and I have offered the proceeding information in order that the readers of this newspaper are made aware of the deep concern the Council, the Council Staff, and VAIL have those with disabilities in our area; and the tireless efforts on their part.

As the last quarterly meeting held in Harlingen was about 4 years ago, it should be seen as an honor and privilege for the City?that the Council once again chose Harlingen for the meeting. Changing the "disability" into "ability"?Until Next Time, Stay Healthy my Friends!

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