4th
Annual Independent Living
Conference Held in Austin
By Paula
Margeson
The
2003 State-wide Independent Living Conference took place in Austin Feb.
17 & 18. Presented by the State Independent Living Council, (SILC),
and the Austin Resource Center for Independent Living, (ARCIL), the event
was attended by more than 150 persons, including consumers, family members,
caregivers, agency and program directors, service coordinators, and other
representatives from disability-related fields, who came together for training,
networking, and information sharing. Pat Pound, executive director of the
Governor’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities, opened the conference
with an overview of disability history in Texas, followed by numerous break-out
sessions. The theme of the event was “Focus on Abilities,” and
this mantra was highlighted in a panel presentation of extraordinary individuals
with disabilities, who have accomplished outstanding feats. The conference
culminated in a march to the state capitol, a rally protesting proposed
budget cuts to health and human services, and personal meetings with legislators.
Return to Contents
Independent
Living
Awards Presented For 2003
By
Paula Margeson
One
of the main events of the Independent Living Conference was an awards luncheon.
Five honorees were recognized for personal and professional advancement
of empowerment and inclusion for all persons with disabilities.
 |
| Senator
Judith Zaffirini receives the "Legislative Excellence" award. |
The
first ever Legislative Excellence award presented by the SILC was given
to Senator Judith Zaffirini, democrat from Laredo. A member of the state
legislature since 1987, Senator Zaffirini has consistently supported programs
and services that enhance the ability of Texans with disabilities to live
and be productive in their communities. Recently, she was a proponent of
SB367, the legislative directive for the state’s implementation of
the Olmstead Decision and SB368, which provides for family-based alternatives
for children with disabilities. The senator also introduced a rider to the
state appropriations bill providing aid for the acquisition of high tech
equipment to accommodate mobility or communication limitations. Senator
Zaffirini was present to accept her award and to deliver a timely address
at the luncheon.
Recognized
for outstanding community service was SBC, a company firmly rooted in the
independent living philosophy. As a provider of services essential to people
with disabilities, an employer of many workers who are disabled, a funder
of disability-related organizations, and an agent for enhanced public awareness
of the capacities of individuals who are disabled, SBC is a superior illustration
of the impact that the private sector can have on the quality of life within
the disability population.
The
award for Outstanding Independent Living Center of the Year was presented
to REACH. With offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton, the center offered
direct services to 1,113 unduplicated consumers in FY 2002 and provided
information and referral assistance to another 19,078 contacts. REACH has
developed several innovative programs including an equipment loan project,
a clothes closet for job seekers, an independent living skills training
component targeted to deaf/blind consumers, and an employment preparation
unit. Last year, the center co-hosted the third annual state-wide independent
living conference, which was attended by approximately 200 persons. With
a quality staff comprised primarily of persons with disabilities, the organization
has aided hundreds of consumers to “REACH” their full potential.
 |
| Paula
Margeson presents Chris Ely from Amarillo with the "Consumer
of the Year" award. |
A new
tribute initiated by the council this year is the Justin Dart Meritorious
Service Award. The 2003 recipient of this honor was Virginia Roberts. Ms.
Roberts managed a 28-year career in public service and, for 15 years, was
the executive director of the Governor’s Committee on Persons With
Disabilities. She was a founding member of the Coalition of Texans with
Disabilities, a past president of Might, and a recognized advocate on local,
state, and national fronts. Virginia Roberts died in July of 2002, but her
legacy of empowerment within the disability movement will live on.
The
SILC presented Chris Ely with the 2003 Consumer of the Year Award. Born
with a severe disability that affects his gross and fine motor control,
his mobility, and his speech, Chris grew up amid warnings of what he wouldn’t
be able to do. This resolute young man refused to allow others to define
his reality and squash his dreams. He obtained a degree in journalism and
achieved his goal to work on a city newspaper. Currently, Chris is a copy
editor at the Amarillo Globe News. Mr. Ely is also a published author. His
autobiography, “Through Eyes of Faith,” chronicles his commitment
to overcome the obstacles imposed by his disability and to succeed in life.
Recently, he launched a singles group for people with disabilities in the
Panhandle area. Chris Ely exemplifies the principles of self-help and self-determination
and has, no doubt, just begun to make his mark in the Independent Living
community.
Return to Contents
SILC
Briefs
By
Paula Margeson
SILC
Congress
Ted Thayer, SILC director, and council members Paula Margeson and Ross Sweat
attended the 6th annual SILC Congress held in southern California, Jan.
6-9. The congress adopted an action plan for 2003 that centers around:
SILC members and staff are indebted to ARCIL for its support in planning
and conducting the IL conference. The Austin center designed and printed
the pre-registration flyer and conference brochure, conducted outreach to
facilitate attendance, provided staff assistance at the event, coordinated
accessible transportation between hotels, and donated valuable door prizes.
The conference was a success, due in large part to the collaborative efforts
of Ron Rocha and his staff.