The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is in need of more members to serve on the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC). Being a member of the DAC is an excellent opportunity for all who want to make a difference in state employment for people with disabilities. The DAC has an important role by informing the Director on issues of concern to DOR employees who have disabilities, and regarding our need to recruit more people with disabilities. Employees with disabilities and those without disabilities, but who have a strong interest in the activities of the DAC, are invited to submit their names for consideration. At least two thirds of the members are required to be persons with disabilities.

This is an exciting time to be a member of the DAC as Governor Newsom has an initiative to increase diversity in state service, including increasing employment of persons with disabilities that reflects California’s diversity.  In addition, I am also committed to us making a greater effort to be accommodating and understanding of the needs of our employees and prospective employees who have mental health issues and who are uncomfortable asking for an accommodation because of the fear of the stigma of mental illness, and welcome the advice of the DAC as to how we should approach this.    

Membership in the DAC is a vital component of carrying the DOR mission forward and enhancing communication within the DOR. The DAC members are appointed for a 2-year term and are accommodated by their supervisor for the time needed to participate in the DAC. The DAC meets four times a year and members have reading and review assignments between meetings. It is anticipated that members will need 2-4 hours per month to complete their work, depending on the projects at hand. Meetings are held by teleconference, but occasional travel may be necessary.

Some of the common issues on which the DAC provides us with feedback are:

• Improving DOR’s emergency evacuation plans to better serve employees with disabilities
• Promoting National Disability Awareness Month events in October
• Giving advice regarding DOR’s recruitment, retention, and upward mobility of personnel with disabilities
• Promoting DOR’s Disability Survey  

The DAC is authorized to have 12 members and we are currently recruiting for the six (6) vacancies as follows:

• Administrative Services Division: one (1) member
• Independent Living and Community Access Division: one (1) member
• Information Technology Services Division: one (1) member
• Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division: one (1) member
• Vocational Rehabilitation Policy and Resources Division: one (1) member
• At Large Representatives: one (1) member

For more information regarding the DAC, please visit the following link: https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/DAC .

If you are interested in DAC membership, please complete the application and have it signed by your Section Chief/District Administrator. Completed applications should be sent electronically to Cresenda Manning, at Cresenda.Manning@dor.ca.gov by no later than Friday, July 12, 2019. The DAC will review the applications and submit membership recommendations to me. I will consult with the applicable Deputy Director in making the final appointments.

If you have any questions, please contact Cresenda at her email address specified above or by phone at (916) 558-5815.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Joe Xavier, Director