Passage of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program and the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009

The House has passed H.R. 3325, which reauthorizes through 2010 the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program and the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of the Social Security program, providing employment-related services for individuals with disabilities. Also, the Veterans Business Center Act of 2009, H.R. 1834,  establishes within the Department of Veterans Affairs a center which would provide entrepreneurial training and counseling for veterans. See: http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/PDFgate.cgi?WAISdocID=066804272441+3+2+0&WAISaction=retrieve for the record, or go to http://www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/, where you can search all Congressional Records.             

New Code of Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors

CRCC--New Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors Effective as of January 1, 2010
CRCC has just completed the process of updating its Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors (Code). Rehabilitation Counselors certified by CRCC are bound to act in accordance with the new Code, effective January 1, 2010 and, as such, are encouraged to fully read the new Code. The full Code is now available for viewing, downloading, and printing directly from the CRCC website, CRC/CCRC Code of Ethics page, or at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102649091840&s=11304&e=001LTg5fsQwYARydtmYRzGnJ5w4-Z-r1bMp4oK9hN93X8Jg_f-aoAt4HS1QlrRgJjjlSiFMbLM8pp8Xp5yxejyPMe4xz6N9-Kag4FRFSFYD6nXXbc8JsKC3CVL28hMVbih7k2felKqviJ2C9nN3x_h1x3g6brLUjAyaDhez3si05FU=

Wear Red on Thursday!

This week, we celebrate the landmark legislation known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, which some regard as a “second Independence Day” for people with disabilities.

Since most DARS employees aren’t working on the actual anniversary day of the ADA, Sunday July 26, we decided we would commemorate the spirit of the ADA on Thursday, July 23.

Wear something red on Thursday to show your support of independence for people with disabilities, a tenet that this agency is dedicated to ensuring in Texas.
Many others around the state are joining DARS to commemorate this spirit, including Governor Rick Perry, who issued a proclamation honoring the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

TRA CONFERENCE HOTEL DEADLINE SOON

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE NOTE:

MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS
DEADLINE TO RECEIVE TRA CONFERENCE RATE
OF $125 NIGHT IS JULY 24, 2009

2009 TRA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AUGUST 16-18, 2009

ADA Anniversary This Week

July 26th marks the 19th Anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Signed into law in 1990 with broad bipartisan support, the ADA has done much to guarantee the civil rights protections to people with disabilities. There will be a Washington, DC based celebration this Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

See: http://www.aapd.com/Development/2009ADAEvent.html

TRA Conference Still Needs Silent Auction Items

TRA still needs YOUR help with item donations for next month's conference! Call Sandy Hansmann at 956-802-0372 to see how you can contribute! 

Alexa Posny Nominated for Assistant Secretary of OSERS

WASHINGTON, DC-- The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services issued the following statement on Ms. Posny's intention to be nominated for Assistant Secretary of OSERS.

"Yesterday, the White House Press Office issued a press release announcing several more of President Obama’s choices to head key posts in his administration. One of the individuals is Alexa Posny to be OSERS Assistant Secretary. This is wonderful news for our office for a host of reasons, many of which are outlined in the brief information below describing Alexa’s experience and career accomplishments. However, the most important to note is that Alexa is returning to OSERS, but this time as Assistant Secretary. Alexa held the position of Director of Special Education Programs from April 17, 2006 to June 22, 2007. Her knowledge of our programs, our organizational structure and business practices will no doubt eliminate any concern regarding a learning curve. Her leadership skills, span of knowledge, gracious and warm personality will continue to increase the service capacity of OSERS and its employees to positively impact the lives of students and adults with disabilities (emphasis, blog moderator). Please note that the intention to nominate means that she has not been officially nominated and once the official nomination has occurred she must be confirmed by the Senate. Consequently, the exact timing for all of this is not known, but we will keep all of you informed."

TRA Conference- RESERVE NOW!

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!!!

TRA HAS A BLOCK OF ROOMS BUT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL ROOMS AT THE CURRENT CONFERENCE RATE.

2009 TRA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AUGUST 16-18, 2009
OMNI HOTEL AT THE COLONNADE, SAN ANTONIO, TX

DEADLINE FOR CONFERENCE RATES: JULY 24, 2009

CONFERENCE RATES: $125 NIGHT FOR SINGLE/DOUBLE/TRIPLE/QUAD

Early Bird Registration for NRA

Don’t miss the Early Bird Rate for the 2009 NRA Conference! Early registration ends on Saturday, August 1, 2009! To reserve your spot, visit: http://www.nationalrehab.org/