Austin Summary

In Austin, 26 CIL staff, VR staff and trainers met to establish a common vision and begin collaborative efforts to make that vision a reality. After clarifying what Centers for Independent Living do and what VR transition counselors, the Austin group developed the following vision:

 We envision an accepting society where all youth from birth through adulthood have the opportunity to become self actualized and productive;

 Where youth have the opportunity to make choices;

 Where youth have equal access to their community and its resources;

 Where society has dismantled stigma and continues to nurture a culture of acceptance; 

Where all youth have individualized education and training to reach their personal and professional potential;

 Where the service delivery system is comprehensive, collaborative and seamless;

 Where youth are empowered to take on self advocacy and leadership roles;

 Where youth are defined by the content of their character;

 So they can bloom and grow regardless of where they live.

 This group also established two goals, assigned responsibilities and set deadlines:

 

Goal 1:

Set up the Next Meeting with ARCIL, DARS, and other steak holders (such as Education Service Centers)

 When:

March 21, 2007 from 1 PM to 4 PM

 How:

1)      Discuss bringing in other stakeholders

2)      Discuss the Transportation Goal

3)      Go for the goal of “How can I leave this meeting feeling like I can implement the vision while doing my job more efficiently?”

 

Goal 2: 

Solving the Transportation Problem (transportation grant?)

 

How:

1)      Information is out there – just need to gather it

a.       APRIL’s transportation kit – may have some of the right solutions to approach the problem

b.      Preliminary telephone survey through individual networks to identify the needs

2)      Investigate funding sources and infrastructure grants

a.       The Capitol Metro and other committee groups (Mayor’s Committee) are working on this – coordinate with them or supplement

3)      Look into possible collaborators such as the Mayor’s committees

4)      Determine the scope such as

a.       service areas represented,

b.      joining with other groups,

c.       getting on boards,

d.      grass roots advocates,

e.       try to create a group from scratch,

f.       get a grant for providing transportation,

g.      supplementing CARTS

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