School of Education co-sponsors Family Matters Forum June 8 to honor families of people with disabilities

School of Education co-sponsors Family Matters Forum June 8 to honor families of people with disabilitiesMay 25, 2005Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

The School of Education has joined with a number of co-sponsors, including the Advocacy Board of The Center on Human Policy, the Center on Disability Studies, Law, and Human Policy, and the College of Law, to present the Family Matters Forum. The forum, which is open to the public, will be held June 8, from 7-9 p.m. at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, 3800 East Genesee St., Syracuse.

The forum will review the contributions of family members in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities and discuss the challenges ahead in ensuring the rights of all children and adults with disabilities to participate in school and community life. Awards will be presented to Central New York family members and leaders who have improved the community through their advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.

“This is an important event that recognizes over 30 years of collaboration between the School of Education and family leaders in advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in Central New York,” says Steven Taylor, co-director of the Center on Disability Studies, Law and Human Policy. “Our community has a well-deserved national reputation for school inclusion and innovative services for people with disabilities. This reflects the combined efforts of University faculty and community leaders.”

Guest speaker Sue Swenson, assistant director of The Arc of the United States and former commissioner of the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities, will discuss the efforts of her organization and others to address the ongoing challenges facing the disabled. Other speakers include Onondaga County Executive Nicholas Pirro; Chancellor Nancy Cantor; Michael Schwartz, director of the Public Interest Law Firm in the College of Law; and Louise C. Wilkinson, dean of the School of Education. The event will be moderated by Robert Goodfellow and Mary Kelly of The Advocacy Board.

This year, the following individuals will be presented with Family Pioneer awards: Jean and Donald Chatfield, Shirley and Tyrone Goddard, Diane Nappa, Hillery and Herbert Schneiderman, Josephine and Charles Scro, and Ro and Joe Vargo.

Also to be recognized this year is Burton Blatt (1927-85), founder of the Center on Human Policy and former dean of the School of Education, who will be honored with the Visionary Leadership Award.

The meeting place is accessible to people with disabilities and sign language interpreters will be available.