Message from the SRC chair…
On behalf of the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) and with our Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) partner, we are pleased to provide the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, which highlights this year's progress in program services as well as outcomes and trends.
The common theme with much of our work this past year has been staffing. The SRC has worked diligently with DRS leadership toward a goal of ensuring that offices across the state are adequately staffed with qualified staff members capable of meeting the diverse needs of Illinoisans with disabilities. This includes professionals with specialized training in serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Despite challenges, our partnership with DRS remains strong as we work toward this common vision. This year, the SRC's contributions toward the State Plan have also included goals around improving communication with customers, Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) and employers, and addressing transportation barriers across the state. In the year ahead, we look forward to exploring ways to incorporate promising practices from the Illinois Work & Wellbeing Model (developed by Dr. David Strauser of the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign) into our strategic plan.
The SRC is comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, many of whom have lived experience with disability. Some are parents of consumers with disabilities, others are community rehab providers and employers. But we are all advocates. We are honored to take up this role on the SRC because of a shared motivation to speak up for the rights of people with disabilities across Illinois. We believe that Illinoisans with disabilities should have access to the highest quality VR services, which empower them to achieve dignity, self-sufficiency and autonomy through meaningful work. In the words of Stephen Hawking, "Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it."
As a former DRS consumer, I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead the SRC. My experiences as a person with a disability - the good and the not-so-good - inspire me in the work that I do every day. Although 2025 will be my final year as Chair, I am excited and hopeful about the future of VR services in Illinois. We continue to enjoy a strong collaborative relationship with DRS leadership and an engaged Council with members' whose passion, creativity, and dedication will undoubtedly yield great things for the disability community.
We invite you to visit the SRC website to learn more about the Council and to engage in our process by attending future quarterly SRC meetings virtually or in-person.
Sincerely,
Kelsey Thompson, Chair
Illinois State Rehabilitation Council
