Hi,
I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been serving as the TRCEA President thus far! Welcome to Tyler, the Nations Rose Capitol and the annual TRCEA Workshop! We have some incredible presenters that will address our theme we have used for over 25 years, “Meeting the Challenges of Social Change.”
We are privileged to have the DARS Region 3 Regional Director, Mr. Tony Lawrence, and the Tyler Area Manager, Mr. Dennis Kutach, to update us on what’s happening at the 2011 Legislative session and how it will affect DARS. We are also pleased and honored to welcome Mr. Robert Cox the National TRA Treasurer, to speak on what’s new with the National Rehabilitation Association.
Those of you like me who have 8-tracks to I-Pods, understand there is nothing that comes with more of a guarantee than social change. The ADA is marching on with amendments and court cases that local attorney; Sharon Roberts will share with us. Centers for Independent Living have been helping consumers with disabilities for years and DARS has partnered with them a long time…but what about you private “rehabbers” and the Workman’s Compensation folks? Our local E.T.C.I.L. and its representatives will let you know of the many programs they have. Veterans are also welcome at E.T.C.I.L. and to help us understand the new dynamics facing our men and women coming home with mental-health injuries, is Dr. Charles Walker. At a time when our legislature is making major decisions that will deeply affect the lives of so many, you can’t help but think about ethics. Dr. Shawn Saladin, will share some ethical dilemmas we will, or already have faced. For instance; how do ethics interface with the internet? Speaking of the internet, the social network is changing and growing rapidly so Dr. Sandra Hansmann, has much to share about this. What about our transition children entering into college? Has the new technology left them behind or has it worked to their advantage? Ms. Ida MacDonald, from UT Tyler, will give us an update on disability services and what colleges and students are looking to get. A valuable tool to help us with these students and other consumers is the Vocational Evaluation. At a time when there is a strong push to restart a Texas Chapter for CVE’s ,Dr. Randal Elston will share his years of experience on this subject. One of the most profound blessings we have experienced in Tyler is the partnership between the private and public sectors to make sure that transportation is available to the people we serve 24/7, 365 days a year! Kristy Swann-Range the Area Mobility Manager, under the TXDOT grant, and Mr. Jamal Moharer, Chairman of NDMJ, Ltd. Transportation will share how it happened, and what you need to do in your community to make it happen for the people you serve! All this and many, many places to visit and adventures to partake of in Tyler! We are so glad you’re here! Please learn, network, and enjoy the sites!
Susan K. Reed, President TRCEA
