Meeting of the Board of Regents | December 2010

Report of

REGENTS AEWD COMMITTEE

To

The Board of Regents

December 14, 2010

            Your AEWD Committee held its scheduled meeting on December 13, 2010.  All members were present, with the exception of Regent Tilles, who was excused.  Additional members of the Board attending were: Chancellor Tisch and Regent Bottar.

MATTERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

The Committee was informed about the Vocational Rehabilitation Postsecondary Initiatives and how they play a significant role in supporting individuals with disabilities in New York State.  Deputy Commissioner Smith provided background on the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and discussed how postsecondary training is a key vocational rehabilitation service that will enable individuals with disabilities to compete in the job market and earn competitive wages.  Staff provided an update to the Committee on the financial challenges for both vocational rehabilitation programs and colleges as the number of students with disabilities participating in postsecondary education continues to increase.  Staff also updated the Committee on how initiatives, such as CUNY LEADS, significantly increased the number of individuals served by the VR Program and yielded higher employment rates for these individuals.  Staff recommended to the Committee that the Board continue to promote policy which will reinforce its commitment to services that support students with disabilities in higher education so that they engage in careers leading to economic independence.  (AEWD (D) 1)

This concludes are report.