Speakers

The Honorable Lynnae Ruttledge chored MSNBC program, Edgewise; participated in all coverage for NBC of the ; the elections of 1996, 2000, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of and 2004; September 11th, and the Iraq War. Additionally, Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department he created and produced the first live-streamed audio Internet of Education, Washington, D.C. program from a journalist’s office in 1999 and 2000. He has Lynnae M. Ruttledge was appointed by President Barack written articles for , , Wired, Obama, to be the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Metroplis and . He has written two books: Administration, Office of Sepecial Education and Rehabilita- a memoir, Moving Violations: War Zones, Wheelchairs and tive Services, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, Declarations of Independence, which was published in 1995; and D.C.. She administers a public/private partnership that serves a novel, A River Out of Eden, published in 2001. He has also one million individuals with disabilities annually and places written the off-Broadway, one-man show, Spoke Man, com- in employment almost 200 thousand annually on a budget pleted in 1996. of three billion dollars. Also, she is the acting director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. Kathleen West-Evans She previously served as the Director of the Washington De- partment of Social and Health Service, Division of Vocational Kathleen West-Evans is the Director of Business Relations for Rehabilitation. Commissioner Ruttledge served for 25 years in the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilita- the Oregon vocational rehabilitation program, and began her tion (CSAVR). She has over 30 years of vocational rehabilita- career in public service as a classroom teacher in . She tion and employment experience and is fluent in American has received numerous recognitions and awards for her service Sign Language. Kathleen worked within the Washington State including the Washington Governor’s Award for Leadership Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a VR counselor, as- in Management in 2007. As a person born with a disability, sistant regional administrator, and a regional business relations Ruttledge received assistance from the vocational rehabilitation specialist before moving to the federal level with Region X of- A conference for all who program and graduated from the Northern Michigan Univer- fice of the RSA where she worked until 2005. Currently, she is are professionally or sity with a B.A. in Education. the founder and lead staff person for development of the NET- the national Vocational Rehabilitation-Business Network. personally interested The network serves business customers, VR consumers with in the lives of Andrew J. Imparato disabilities, and the 80 state vocational rehabilitation agencies. individuals with Andrew J. Imparato is the first full-time President and Chief The NET vision statement: To create a coordinated approach disabilities. Executive Officer of the American Association of People with to serving business customers through a national VR team that Disabilities (AAPD), a national non-profit, non-partisan specialized in employer development, business consulting and membership organization of people with disabilities, their family corporate relations. members and supporters that was founded in 1995. AAPD pursues its mission of political and economic empowerment of all people with disabilities through public policy advocacy and programs fostering leadership development, mentoring and career exploration, voting and civic participation, and member benefits. Since Imparato joined AAPD in 1999, the organiza- tion has more than quadrupled its membership, its annual October 6, 2010 budget, and its staff size. With more than 100,000 members, AAPD is the largest cross-disability membership organization in the U.S. Hotel Information The 9th Annual Northeastern John Hockenberry U.S. Conference on disAbility John Hockenberry is a seasoned, experienced journalist who Radisson Lackawanna Station has worked in all aspects of the broadcast profession for a quarter 700 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503 • (570) 342-8300 The Patrick & Margaret DeNaples Center century. His distinguished career has produced important Conference rate of $94 (double room). Room reservations must be The University of Scranton • Scranton, Pennsylvania coverage and numerous awards, as well as initiated important made by September 7th for special conference rates. Panuska College of Professional Studies College of Professional Panuska 114 Room Hall, of Scranton, McGurrin The University 18510-4586 Scranton, PA new styles of storytelling embracing all of the new media that this Brochure Post Please Honorary Chairpersons: Edward R. & Patricia Leahy are currently transforming the profession. As correspondent and anchor for NBC News/MSNBC from 1996 to 2005, Hilton Scranton & Conference Center Hockenberry was awarded three Emmys; designed and an- 100 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503 • (570) 343-3000 Presented by: The University of Scranton The Panuska College of Professional Studies Edward R. Leahy, Jr., Endowment Program Wednesday, October 6 Registration

7:45–8:30 Registration and Continental Breakfast 12:00–1:30 Lunch Online registration: www.scranton.edu/disabilityconference Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Awards for Excellence, Edward R. and To register by mail: Complete and return this form. 8:30–8:45 Welcome and Opening Remarks Patricia Leahy Name Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., President, The University of Scranton Annual Conference Poem, Josie Cordaro Title Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., Dean, The Panuska College of Professional Cultural Presentations About The University of Scranton Studies Organization 1:45–3:00 Concurrent Sessions Edward R. and Patricia Leahy, Honorary Conference Chairs Address A Jesuit University in Pennsylvania’s Pocono 1. Building a Collaborative Approach to Business Northeast region, The University of Scranton is Customers Through the NET: National Employment Team City State Zip 8:45–9:45 The Honorable Lynnae Ruttledge known for its outstanding academics, state-of-the-art Kathleen West-Evans, Telephone Fax Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Office of Special campus and technology, and exceptional sense of Director of Business Relations, Council on State Administrators of Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, Vocational Rehabilitation E-mail community. Founded in 1888, the University has Washington, D.C. Registration Cost a student population of approximately 5,800 Introduced by William Gannon, Executive Director, PA Office of 2. Assistive Technology—What’s New?! ❑ Professional: $99 Vocational Rehabilitation ❑ undergraduate and graduate students. Ann E. Dolloff,Assistant Director Student/Individual with a disability/Family: $40 The University is nationally recognized for the quality 9:45–10:45 Andrew Imparato Amanda Reinsfelder, Assistive Technology Specialist Method of Payment Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT), Institute on ❑ Check or money order payable to “The University of Scranton” of education it provides. Prominent among these CEO/President of American Association of Persons with Disabilities Disabilities at Temple University ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard national accolades is Scranton’s ranking among the top Introduced by Mrs. Patricia Leahy, Director of Government Affairs, National Rehabilitation Association 10 master’s universities in the North in U.S. News & 3. Hidden Disabilities and ADA Protection Card Number Expiration Date World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” for the past Director, Disability and Business Technical Assistance 10:45–11:00 Break Marian Vessels, Cardholder’s Name 16 years. Scranton is also among just 100 schools in Center the nation on Templeton’s Honor Roll of Character- Signature 11:00–12:00 Concurrent Sessions 3:00–3:15 Break Special Accommodation Requests must be made by September 25 Building Colleges and is among only 19 colleges in 1. The Rehabilitation Act and The ADA: Landmark the nation named to the Carnegie Classification for Legislation Supporting the Employment of Americans 3:15–4:00 ❑ I have special communication, accessibility, accommodation With Disabilities or dietary needs. Community Engagement in 2008. Senator Robert Casey (via teleconference) Kathleen West-Evans Introduced by J. Joseph Grady, Esquire Please indicate Director of Business Relations, Council of State Administrators of CEUs Please indicate type of CEU required. Conference Mission Vocational Rehabilitation 4:00–6:00 ❑ HRCI CEU Certification Number______John Hockenberry, Emmy Award-winning journalist ❑ The University of Scranton believes that disability 2. ADA: Ensuring Equality of Opportunity in the Workplace? Act 48 PDE Professional ID# ______❑ NBCC Certification Number______is part of the human experience and that assisting Stephen S. Pennington, Esquire, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Cultural Experiences Including: ❑ CRCC Certification Number______individuals and families living with disabilities to achieve Client Assistance Program Musical Performances by Hands of Praise ❑ PA/Professional Counselor/LSW License Number______optimal quality of life requires multi-disciplinary Jamie C. Ray-Leonetti, Esquire, Assistant Director, Pennsylvania Artwork on Display by Verve-Vertu and Matthew Mroz Client Assistance Program ❑ CEUsPA/Marriage and Family Therapist License Number______interventions, education, research and leadership. Accessible Model Train Layout by Wheelchair Engineers Program ❑ ACHE Category II Certification Number______The mission of the Conference on disABILITY is to 3. The ADA: Twenty years of challenges and progress. History of Disability Photographic Display by Temple University positively influence the quality of life and wellness of Where are we now? Conference Registration Deadline: September 30, 2010 individuals and families living with disabilities by Keith Williams, Community Organizer Cancellations must be received on or before September 30. promoting in its deliberations the foundational principles Rory Giovannucci, Housing Advocate There will be no refunds after that date. of individualization, self-determination, productivity, Sharon Quinn, Manager of Core Services Mail completed form and fee to: Posters and Vendors employment, independence and full participation in NEPA Center for Independent Living disABILITY Conference will be available in the ballroom Panuska College of Professional Studies community life by creating an effective learning throughout the day, during breaks, The University of Scranton, McGurrin Hall, Room 114 environment, collaborative and focused discussion and before/after lunch. Scranton, PA 18510 and the identification and sharing of effective practices useful in the and around the world. For additional information: Contact Rebecca Dalgin at (570) 941-7819 or [email protected] www.scranton.edu/disabilityconference