Community meetings give us a chance to inform you about the latest changes at the department of services for the blind, and to discuss issues and challenges. We want to know about your experience with our services. What is working well in your community? What could we do better? What needs are not being met? We will use your comments to develop our state and strategic plans for the coming year.

     Whether you are a past, present, or potential consumer of the department of services for the blind, a family member, a community service provider, a friend to someone who is blind, a member of a blind consumer organization, or an interested citizen, we want to hear from you. Please join us to talk to us in person at our upcoming Seattle community meeting.

     The state rehabilitation council meets on a quarterly basis. The purpose of the council is to develop, analyze, make recommendations, and agree to state goals, the state plan, state policies, and state activities to insure that persons who are blind in Washington state receive the most effective and efficient services possible. Public comment is scheduled from 10-10:30 a.m. An agenda is available upon request. Requests for alternative format need to be made by February 24, 2006.

     For more information, contact Marla Oughton directly at (206) 721-6430 or toll-free at 1-800-552-7103 or by e-mail at maroughton@dsb.wa.gov. Both meeting sites are barrier free, including the restrooms.