Council Members

SRC-B members are passionate volunteers who represent recipients of rehabilitation services, their families, service providers, educators, advocates, and policy makers. We work together and alongside the DSB to promote excellence in service, leading to independence and meaningful employment for blind and visually impaired people in Washington State.

COUNCIL REPRESENTATION AND MEMBERS

In accordance with WAC 67-10-025, individuals who are blind must constitute a majority of the council and SRCB membership must include members of specific represented groups.


Consumer Advocacy Organization

Kris Colcock

Kris Colcock is the 1st Vice-President of the National Federation of the Blind of Washington. She is a Certified Work Incentive Practitioner and an avid advocate for individuals who are blind. Her involvement includes experience with the Sound Transit Citizens Accessibility Advisory Council and King County S.A.V.E.. Currently she serves on the NFB Employment Committee and the Kitsap County Accessible Community Advisory Council.

 

Current or Former Recipients of VR Services 

Julie Brannon, 2023 SRCB Chair 

Julie retired in 2019 after working for over 40 years in the fields of social work, teaching and program management. She has been involved in working with persons who are blind and blindness issues for approximately 25 years, both as a teacher and program manager for DSB; as well as in a variety of leadership roles with one of Washington State’s consumer organizations, the Washington Council of the Blind, in which she’s currently serving as president.

Larry Watkinson

Larry Watkinson serves as the Department of Licensing ADA Compliance Manager. In this capacity, he is responsible for implementation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well  implementation of the departments, ADA Transition Plan. As part of this responsibility, Larry has earned the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program certification.

Larry holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Evergreen State College and has also been a small business owner. Larry is an active member of his community, as well as active within numerous non-profit organizations. Larry participated in the efforts to adopt the Americans with Disabilities Act and has been engaged throughout its implementation.  

 

Business, Labor, and Industry 

Andy Arvidson 

Andy is an OTC graduate and holds a master’s degree in Martial Arts and Physiology from the World Moo Duk Kwan Academy. Currently a business owner in Anacortes with his wife, and a DSB contractor for Sightless Self-defense classes.

Julie Harlow 

Julie is the business owner of InnerVisions, LLC. She gained her master’s degree from Maryland University of Integrative Health in Health & Wellness Coaching. She is transitioning from current services to her new start-up business. Julie has been a military dependent. She has lived throughout  the United States and Germany, and has made Washington her home for the last thirty years. She is deaf/blind as well as from a multi-cultural family.

Jacob Kamaunu, Business Enterprise Program

Jacob is currently a restaurateur and a member of the Washington State Business Enterprise Program (BEP) where he received his certification as a blind vendor. Jacob has been able to manage and maintain his small business operations out of the heart of Seattle for the past six years, providing employment opportunities to all who are able with no exclusion to those who are blind.

Cathy Wilson 

Cathy has lived in Tacoma since 1989 after living in CA and Germany, and has a B.S. degree in Accounting. Her vision loss occurred over 20+ years, and Cathy attended the OTC after becoming legally blind in 2011. At the OTC she developed a passion to assist and encourage others with their vision loss; and she now works in HR at the Lighthouse for the Blind where an essential part of her job is to recruit talented people who are blind or low vision. Cathy has been active in the Pierce County Association of the Blind (PCAB) since 2013.

 

State Workforce Investment Board  

Chris Alejano 

Chris Alejano is the Education Policy Advisor for City of Seattle Mayor, Jenny Durkan. He works with city programs and efforts in early learning, K-12, and post-secondary education.  Chris brings a unique background that spans the entire educational system from the local to the federal level.

 

Client Assistance Program 

Jennifer Bean 

Jennifer Bean has been working in the Vocational Rehabilitation field for 20+ years. Her work experience includes being an Independent Living Counselor, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Benefits Specialist and Regional Trainer at Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Additionally, she was a Rehabilitation Coordinator with the Washington Client Assistance Program (CAP) and became the Executive Director of CAP in August 2021. Jennifer has a MA degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and has years of experience with training and teaching. 

 

Parent Information and Training Center 

Jill McCormick 

Jill has worked with the disability community in Washington State for the last 16 years. Three years with Self Advocates of Washington and the last 13 years at PAVE as Grant Director for Federal grants around family and transitioning youth. She is also the current Vice-President of the Board at Family Voices. Jill is the parent of three young adults who are impacted by disability and are navigating DVR supports and services.

 

Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors 

Linda Wilder, 2023 SRCB Vice-Chair 

Linda has a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and a master’s degree from Chapman University. In 2017, Linda retired from DSB after working 30 years as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

 

Community Rehabilitation Program Service Providers 

Kristin Geary 

Kristin has spent the last four years working with Washington Vocational Services who contracts with the DSB's youth services summer internship program. Since moving to Seattle in 2008, Kristin has worked, in some manner, supporting people who are blind with and without additional disabilities, specializing in teaching daily living and employment readiness skills.

 

Section 121 Native Americans Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Christopher Zilar 

Christopher joined Spokane Tribe's Vocational Rehabilitation Program in 2016 as the director. He has previously worked for public health and for a small chamber of commerce focused on diversity and inclusion. Christopher has completed three medical mission trips to Rwanda. He has six kids (two sets of twin boys) and resides near Spokane Indian Reservation with his family. 

 

State Educational Agency 

Sean McCormick 

Sean is the Director of On-Campus Education at the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB). His path in education includes serving as a Paraprofessional, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, an Orientation & Mobility Instructor, Associate Principal, and Principal. In his current role, Sean oversees the educational programs held at WSSB’s campus through both day and residential opportunities for students. Sean is an active member of WA’s Special Education Advisory Council, Washington Unified English Braille Committee, and the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind’s Principals subgroup.

 

Individuals who are Blind, with Multiple Disabilities 

Sara Logston 

Sara is finishing her TVI degree from the University of Northern Colorado.  She currently works at the Washington State School for the Blind as a Residential Life Counselor. Sara has two teenage boys and likes to spend time traveling with family when school is not in session.

 

Washington State Independent Living Council 

Rebekah ‘Bek” Moras 

Bek is the Executive Director of the Washington State Independent Living Council. She has a PhD in Disability Studies, identifies as a person with multiple “hidden disabilities”, and as a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. Bek has a passion for technical accessibility, including accessible communication, events, documents, policies, and practices.

 

DSB Executive Director 

Michael Mackillop, Ex-Officio Member

Michael MacKillop was appointed Acting Executive Director of DSB in January 2020. Michael has served as agency Deputy Director as well as other executive and direct service positions over the past 20+ years. He believes deeply in the philosophical backdrop of the Disability Rights and Independent Living movements, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that all have been key in shaping the agency’s mission of “Independence, Inclusion and Economic Vitality for individuals with Visual Disabilities”.

 

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STAFF

DSB Appointed Liaison

Meredith Stannard

Meredith worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and supervisor for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in Seattle, and retired from her position as Regional Area Manager at the Washington Department of Services for the Blind in 2017. She is entering her fifth year as the liaison to the Washington State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind. She has a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Seattle University.

SRCB Staff Assistant

Yvonne Grimes

Yvonne came to Services for the Blind in 2017 with a diverse work background, and says she has been able to put everything she’s ever learned to use at DSB. Yvonne is a lifelong Washingtonian and currently lives in Olympia. She feels very fortunate to have landed at a state agency that holds the same values as she does, and enjoys supporting the SRC-B and its members as part of her work.

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JOINING THE COUNCIL

Washington is home to vibrant communities and diverse citizens who all have unique talents, skills and experiences. Governor Inslee places a high priority on boards, commissions, and councils that are reflective of the diverse make-up of Washington and that utilize the impressive talent of our citizens. 

We are always seeking skilled and experienced individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate in boards, commissions, and councils ensuring an effective and representative government.

Council Profile

The State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB) provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who are blind or visually impaired, pursue employment, education, and independent living. The Council is an advisory group of volunteers appointed by the Governor who provide counsel and recommendations on the progress of the Department of Services for the Blind. Each position has a three (3) year term.

More information can be found on the Governor's Boards and Commissions website.

Vacancies

There are currently no vacant positions on the Department of Services for the Blind State Rehabilitation Council.

Apply to the SRCB

To If you would like to be considered for appointment to the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, complete the online application at: https://www.governor.wa.gov/boards-commissions/boards-commissions/apply-serve-board-or-commission. Be sure to select “Blind, Rehabilitation Council for”. Applications may be submitted at any time.

For more information or assistance regarding the application process, please contact SRC for the Blind Liaison, Meredith Stannard.

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