On Thursday June 17th, Barry Whaley, M.S., Project Director of Southeast ADA Center a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University; Founding Board Member and Past President of Kentucky APSE; will be delivering the closing keynote speech at the National Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) 2020 Conference. The theme of the APSE conference is “Employment Fist Elevated”. To commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Whaley will reflect on significant events and leaders of the disability rights movement in their long yet rewarding journey towards equality.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 outlawed discrimination on the basis of disability in all aspects of society. Whether it be employment or access to public transportation, every business and public service was required to create accommodations for people with disabilities. Though the Act was effective immediately, people with disabilities face stigma and prejudice to this day. The disability rights movement continually strives to ensure equal treatment and opportunities for those with disabilities.

In this session, Mr. Whaley will explore the history and the progress of the disability rights movement throughout the past decade. More specifically, he will discuss the particular people within the movement who had significant roles in advancing the rights of those with disabilities and promoting a society where all are equal.

Keynote Description
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this presentation will explore key moments and personalities of the disability rights movement over the past one hundred years. Participants will learn about our heroes who, through their courage and conviction, fought for equality and laid the foundation of the four “pillars” of the ADA; full participation, independent living, equality of opportunity, and economic self-sufficiency.

As a new generation of Supported Employment professionals enter the field, many are unaware of the histories and heroes of the disability rights movement who came before us. For our seasoned professionals, this session will remind us, as David McCullough wrote, of where we have come from, what we have been through, the courage shown, the costs paid, to be where we are.

About BBI
The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, former dean of SU’s School of Education and a pioneering disability rights scholar, to better the lives of people with disabilities. BBI has offices in Syracuse, NY, New York City, NY, Washington, D.C., Lexington, KY, and Atlanta, GA.  bbi.syr.edu

About the Southeast ADA Center
The Southeast ADA Center is a leader in providing information, training, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and disability access tailored to the needs of business, government, and individuals at local, state, and regional levels. Located in Atlanta, GA, the Southeast ADA Center conducts research to reduce and eliminate barriers to employment and economic self-sufficiency and to increase the civic and social participation of Americans with disabilities. It is a project of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) of Syracuse University and one of ten regional centers in the ADA National Network funded since 1991 by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, & Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).   adasoutheast.org

About APSE
The Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national, non-profit membership organization dedicated to Employment First, a vision that all people with disabilities have a right to competitive employment in an inclusive workforce. People with disabilities should not work sequestered in sheltered workshops, earning only pennies an hour. We want people with disabilities to enjoy the company of a wide range of coworkers, an opportunity for greater financial independence, and the ability to contribute to the economy. We provide our members with the tools, opportunities, and timely information needed to take action and build better workplaces through work with policymakers and employers. APSE is the national voice on workplace inclusion.  apse.org