Key figure in creation of Americans with Disabilities Act to speak Feb. 14 at SU

Key figure in creation of Americans with Disabilities Act to speak Feb. 14 at SUFebruary 11, 2005Nicci Brownnicbrown@syr.edu

Robert Silverstein, director of the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy and one of the central figures in the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, will speak at Syracuse University College of Law on Monday, Feb. 14. Silverstein’s address, “A Congressional Insider’s View: How to Be an Effective Disability Policy Change Agent,” will be held at 4 p.m. in Room 100 of the College of Law. The event, sponsored by SU’s Center on Disability Studies, Law, and Human Policy, is free and open to the public. Paid public parking is available in the University Avenue garage.

A nationally recognized attorney, Silverstein has more than 30 years experience negotiating and drafting bipartisan, consensus legislation and directing research and analysis, including Congressionally mandated studies of complex public policy issues. He is known for his ability to translate research into innovative, common-sense and flexible solutions that meet the needs of multiple stakeholders.

From 1987-97, Silverstein served as principal advisor to Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, who served as chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Disability Policy, ranking member of that Subcommittee, and lead member on disability policy issues on the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. Silverstein played a central role in disability policy legislation, including the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, 15 other pieces of legislation and numerous disability-related amendments to other bills concerning, health, civil rights, education and job training.

Prior to this, Silverstein was counsel to the Subcommittee on Select Education, Committee on Education and Labor of the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1978-85 he was principal in the law firm of Long and Silverstein, P.C. He has also held positions with the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, as well as the National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law. Silverstein received a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

His visit is being co-sponsored by SU’s College of Law, School of Education and the School of Social Work in the College of Human Services and Health Professions, as well as the Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee and the disAbility Law Society.

Paid parking for the event will be availble in the University Avenue Garage.