NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Governor's Office announces recent appointments to DSB's State Rehabilitation Council
Monday, December 5, 2022
Gov. Jay Inslee appointed three members to the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRC-B) during the month of November 2022. Boards and Commissions are designed to give Washingtonians a voice in their government and allow residents to influence decisions that shape the quality of life for all Washingtonians.
The newly appointed SRC-B Members are Kristin Geary, Jill McCormick, and Rebekah Moras. Each is appointed for a three-year term ending in 2025.
The governor takes great pride in appointing qualified, responsible members who reflect the diverse lifestyles of our state and who want to make the state of Washington a better place for us all. Learn more about the SRCB.
Agency issues Request for Qualifications and Quotations
Friday, October 21, 2022
DSB issue The Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is issuing a Competitive Solicitation pursuant to RCW 39.26 for Payroll in support of Vocational Rehabilitation Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Year-Round Youth Programs. The Pre-ETS Youth Services activities provide job readiness training, work-based learning experiences, paid internships, lessons in self-advocacy and career exploration for DSB’s low vision and blind participants aged 16 to 21.
Several of the programs require the agency to bring on temporary staff in support roles. These temporary staff roles, as well as the paid internships, require an outside payroll source that can also serve as the Employer of Record. The contract may also support additional Youth Services programs.
Learn more about Request for Qualifications & Quotations - DSB YS23-001
Governor's Office announces recent appointments to DSB's State Rehabilitation Council
Monday, October 3, 2022
Gov. Jay Inslee appointed seven members to the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRC-B) during the month of September 2022. Boards and Commissions are designed to give Washingtonians a voice in their government and allow residents to influence decisions that shape the quality of life for all Washingtonians.
The newly appointed SRC-B Members are Julie Harlow, Kristina Colcock, and Sara Logston. Andrew Arvidson, Julie Brannon, Laurence Watkinson, and Cathy Wilson have been re-appointed to their places on the board.
The governor takes great pride in appointing qualified, responsible members who reflect the diverse lifestyles of our state and who want to make the state of Washington a better place for us all. Learn more about the SRCB.
2022 Participant Survey Results available online
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
During the height of the COVID-19 shutdowns, DSB developed new methods to provide services remotely. During the spring of 2022, the agency surveyed participants to learn about their experiences during the pandemic. The results of that survey are now available online.
IN BASKET: Eyerly re-appointed to State Independent Living Council
Yakima Herald-Republic
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Tricia Eyerly of Yakima was re-appointed last month by Gov. Jay Inslee to the State Independent Living Council. Her new three-year term begins Oct. 3 and lasts through Sept. 30, 2025.
Inslee names Michael MacKillop director of Services for the Blind
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Gov. Jay Inslee announced today the appointment of Michael MacKillop to serve as director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. MacKillop has been the acting director since January 2020.
MacKillop has provided the full range of agency services through many roles during his 21-year tenure at the agency. He has helped manage the agency’s growth and the success of agency clients across the state. DSB serves Washington state residents of all ages who are blind, low vision or deaf blind. The agency supports those who want to engage in family, civic, and community activities, manage their home and life tasks independently, keep a current job, or start a new meaningful career or small business path.
As acting director, Inslee credits MacKillop for successfully maintaining continuity of services while ensuring safety of staff and agency customers during the circumstances of the pandemic.
"Michael is an exceptional leader who has demonstrated that he can implement the agency's mission of 'independence, inclusion and economic vitality for individuals with a visual disability,'" Inslee said. "The pandemic showed just how important it is to promote inclusion and accessibility in all our work and I am pleased that he will continue bringing his dedication, passion and varied experience so we can live up to that expectation and need."
MacKillop says he is focused on continuing the agency’s tradition of helping people with visual and other disabilities to meet their high expectations for independence and meaningful careers, helping identify and overcome environmental barriers, and advocating for full accessibility for all.
“A blind person who has the aptitude for a job has no limits other than what the outside world imposes,” MacKillop said. “There are tools and adaptions to do virtually any job. When we think ‘a blind person couldn’t do my job’ it is only because we aren’t aware of the range of adaptive tools and methods that would make it absolutely achievable for the right blind person. I am honored to work in this nationally-recognized agency that provides the skills towards greater inclusion and independence of people with visual disabilities within the state of Washington."
MacKillop's appointment went into effect April 18.