Options always strives to have a keynote speaker for our annual conference that will inspire attendees with their personal story and accomplishments. For this year's event (July 23 at the Auburn Holiday Inn), we hit the proverbial jackpot with Dr. Peter Blanck.
Blanck is a university professor at Syracuse University, which is the highest faculty rank granted to only eight prior individuals in the history of the university. He is also chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute.
The Burton Blatt Institute is a leading organization to advance civic, economic and social participation of persons with disabilities. This is accomplished through research, training, education and public policy assistance.
“There are opportunities to continue to transform the Syracuse community and communities worldwide, where every person is valued regardless of the nature or scope of disability,” Blanck said.
Blanck has written articles and books on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws, received grants to study disability law and policy, represented clients before the U.S. Supreme Court in ADA cases, and testified before Congress.
“Seventeen years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act there is an evolution in thinking and behavior that environments (the classroom, the workplace, public places and places where we live) must accommodate and embrace individual differences,” Blanck said. “From the growing interest for lifelong learning to the contributions of a diverse work force, there is a need to expand effective and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.”
In addition to the keynote address by Blanck, the annual conference will feature educational sessions on a variety of topics of interest to people with disabilities and their families, including:
“Housing Laws: Evictions and Discrimination,” “Healthy Cooking,” “Special Education,” “Trends and Treatment Services for Persons with Visual and Hearing Impairments,” “Adaptability Modifications in Homes, Mobile Homes and Apartments,” “Nutrition,” “Service Animals and the Assistance They Provide for Persons with Various Disabilities,” “Disaster Planning for Individuals with Disabilities,” “Stress Reduction: Mindfulness and Meditation” and “Living Independently with Autism.”
The annual conference will also feature a wide variety of vendors. Confirmed vendors include the Red Cross, Enable Triad/Project Adapt, Cayuga County Homsite, The Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes, Elder Choice, Seneca Cayuga ARC, the New York State Ombudsman Program and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
One of the highlights of the trade show will be the Cayuga County Board of Elections, which will be bringing two of the new HAVA compliant voting machines for hands on demonstrations throughout the day.
This is an excellent opportunity for conference attendees to try out the new Sequoia voting machine prior to the fall election.
For more information,
contact Felicia Thompson at 255-3447.
We ask that people planning to attend the conference RSVP by July 18. Early registration helps secure a spot in your break-out sessions of choice.
Collin M. Sullivan is a ADA/
access advocate at Options for Independence
The Burton Blatt Institute is a leading organization to advance civic, economic and social participation of persons with disabilities. This is accomplished through research, training, education and public policy assistance.
“There are opportunities to continue to transform the Syracuse community and communities worldwide, where every person is valued regardless of the nature or scope of disability,” Blanck said.
Blanck has written articles and books on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws, received grants to study disability law and policy, represented clients before the U.S. Supreme Court in ADA cases, and testified before Congress.
“Seventeen years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act there is an evolution in thinking and behavior that environments (the classroom, the workplace, public places and places where we live) must accommodate and embrace individual differences,” Blanck said. “From the growing interest for lifelong learning to the contributions of a diverse work force, there is a need to expand effective and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.”
In addition to the keynote address by Blanck, the annual conference will feature educational sessions on a variety of topics of interest to people with disabilities and their families, including:
“Housing Laws: Evictions and Discrimination,” “Healthy Cooking,” “Special Education,” “Trends and Treatment Services for Persons with Visual and Hearing Impairments,” “Adaptability Modifications in Homes, Mobile Homes and Apartments,” “Nutrition,” “Service Animals and the Assistance They Provide for Persons with Various Disabilities,” “Disaster Planning for Individuals with Disabilities,” “Stress Reduction: Mindfulness and Meditation” and “Living Independently with Autism.”
The annual conference will also feature a wide variety of vendors. Confirmed vendors include the Red Cross, Enable Triad/Project Adapt, Cayuga County Homsite, The Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes, Elder Choice, Seneca Cayuga ARC, the New York State Ombudsman Program and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
One of the highlights of the trade show will be the Cayuga County Board of Elections, which will be bringing two of the new HAVA compliant voting machines for hands on demonstrations throughout the day.
This is an excellent opportunity for conference attendees to try out the new Sequoia voting machine prior to the fall election.
For more information,
contact Felicia Thompson at 255-3447.
We ask that people planning to attend the conference RSVP by July 18. Early registration helps secure a spot in your break-out sessions of choice.
Collin M. Sullivan is a ADA/
access advocate at Options for Independence
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