Disability Leadership Policy Summit
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Nationally renowned leaders and experts from the disability community gathered at Hofstra University in Hemsptead, NY on Thursday, June 5th for the The summit is the first of a planned annual gathering to promote an exchange of ideasbetween people with disabilities and public officials, disability rights advocates, educators, transportation providers, business leaders, and health and human service professionals. The Summit is co-hosted by United Spinal Association, The Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged, and Hofstra University’s School of Education & Allied Human Services. “It went very, very well,” said Don Dreyer, Director of the Office for the Physically Challenged of Nassau County, which, along with United Spinal Association and Hofstra University, hosted the event. “It was excellent that we had the policy experts from around the country actually communicating with each other.” |
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Back row (L-R): Andy Imparato (Speaker) |
Front row (L-R) Eleanor Smith (Speaker) |
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| Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner Christine M. Griffin said her points about the urgency of restoring the Americans with Disabilities Acts’s employment provisions to end discrimination against people with disabilities in the job marketplace, resonated with the summit’s attendees. “I’ve already talked with four or five people here who said ‘I have a degree. I’ve been out pounding the pavement. I can’t get in the door." | |||
| Other speakers included Dr. George A. Giuliani, associate professor of Counseling, Research, Special Education, and Rehabilitation at Hofstra University, who addressed current and future challenges of students with disabilities in America’s special education system; Eleanor Smith, founder and director of Concrete Change, which promotes “visitability,” a proposed international standard for making all new home construction useable by people with disabilities; Andrew J. Imparato, president and chief executive officer of the American Association of People with Disabilities, which promotes the economic and political empowerment of its diverse membership; and Helena E. Williams, president of the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), who discussed LIRR’s accomplishments in meeting the accessibility needs of commuters with disabilities. | |||
| At a reception at the Hofstra University Club after the main event, several individuals and institutions were honored for their efforts in improving the lives of people with disabilities. | |||
United Spinal Association honored Thomas Suozzi, County Executive for Nassau County, with the 2008 Visionary Award for his leadership, extraordinary service, and outstanding commitment to advancing the lives of people with disabilities. Hofstra University presented the Frank Bowe Award to Samuel Simon, chairman of Amplify Public Affairs for his efforts in making technology accessible to all people, including those with sensory impairments. United Spinal recognized Hofstra University and American International Group, Inc. (AIG) with, respectively, the 2008 Pioneer Award and the 2008 Spirit of Leadership Award, and the Nassau County Office of the Executive gave United Spinal General Counsel James J. Weisman a Citation honoring “the exemplary service” he has provided for the benefit of county residents. |
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| United Spinal Association, along with the Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged and Hofstra University School of Education and Allied Human Services would like to thank and acknowledge the following entities and individuals for their generous contribution to the 2008 Disability Leadership Policy Summit: An Agenda for Change in the 21st Century. | |||
| AIG http://www.aig.com/ |
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| HUB International, Inc. http://www.hubinternational.com/ |
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| Roslyn Savings Foundation http://www.roslynsavingsfoundation.org/ |
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| Anthony Cancellieri Vice President Park Strategies |
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| Mr. David S. Mack President Mack Company |
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| Mr. Matthew Sapolin Commissioner New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities |
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