State Rehabilitation Council urges more employer seats, self-employment supports

Steve Lemaster, a longtime vocational‑rehabilitation provider with Vinfen, told the Disability Employment Subcommittee that the State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) has three near‑term priorities for advising Massachusetts’ vocational rehabilitation agency, MassAbility.

"The SRC is an advisory body mandated under, 34 CFR 361.16," Lemaster said, describing the council’s role in state planning. He said the SRC’s Business and Employment Opportunity subcommittee wants to (1) recruit at least four employer/industry/labor representatives to fill federally required seats; (2) partner with MassAbility to roll out two tiers of self‑employment supports; and (3) increase employer awareness and uptake of the state disability employment tax credit. Lemaster offered to share employer tip sheets and a QR link that direct applicants to D E T C certification materials that MassAbility has approved for distribution.

The presentation prompted several members to say they had not known the SRC’s structure and to welcome coordination. Lemaster identified MassAbility contacts (including Joe Reel and Jeff Roberge) and said the SRC plans to work with the commission and its advisory networks to recruit business leaders and to support MassAbility’s implementation of self‑employment navigators and review teams.