BRS Advisory Councils

The Bureau of Rehabilitation utilizes the input of a number of advisory councils. These councils are comprised of professionals and members of the public interested in furthering the Bureau's mission. Please contact the respective council for information on membership and minutes.

DBVI State Rehabilitation Council

The mission of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired is to provide leadership and diverse viewpoints in partnership with the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired to develop and evaluate programs and services; to identify priorities that help create opportunities, increase independence and broaden access to the workplace for citizens of all ages who are blind or visually impaired.

Contact: Cheryl Peabody, SRC Chair, at 872-7594

Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened

The mission of the Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened is to ensure that Maine citizens who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Late Deafened have equal access to partcipate in all activities and opportuniites of employment, recreation, government, state and community services.

Contact: Nancy Melanson, Maine Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened
207-623-7998 TTY
207-623-7958 Voice
207-287-5292 FAX

DVR State Rehabilitation Council

The Mission of the State Rehabilitation Council is to partner with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the development of state goals, priorities, policy, and practice, and to review and analyze the division’s results and performance in support of securing and maintaining employment, through a process of informed choice, for individuals with disabilities.

Contact: Cheryl Peabody, Chair
PO Box 5641
Augusta, ME 04332
(207) 872-7594

State Independent Living Council (SILC)

The purpose of the SILC is to "promote a philosophy of independent living (IL), including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual, and system advocacy, to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with significant disabilities, and to promote and maximize the integration and full inclusion of individuals with significant disabilities into the mainstream of American society" (Sec. 701 of the Act; 34 CFR 364.2)

Contact: Statewide Independent Living Council
PMB #200
126 Western Ave.
Augusta, ME 04330