Judy Neal
Judy Neal is the Independent Living Program Coordinator for Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. She has worked at four CILs, three in Colorado and one in Tennessee. Her independent living experience includes developing IL programs and services, coordinating an Older Individuals who are Blind program, grant writing and fundraising, and co-directing a center. “No matter what position I held,” she claims, “it was always my job to do the 704 Report. I thought by moving to VR I could escape, but now I’m doing the 704 at the state level!”
The move to VR was like coming full circle for Judy. “I learned about independent living as a VR client,” she said. Her goal at Colorado DVR is to strengthen the state’s IL network by developing new ways for the CILs, the SILC, and VR to work together. “If we can keep in mind that we’re all here to integrate people with disabilities into our community, we have a good chance of realizing that goal.”