Conference Empowers Women with Disabilities: From Within - Hosted by United Spinal and Independence Care System

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May 10, 2011, 08:45 ET

NEW YORK, May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association and Independence Care System (ICS), are co-hosting the second annual From Within conference to improve the lives, health, and well-being of women with disabilities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110413/MM82757LOGO)

The conference titled From Within - A Discussion About Self-Esteem, Self-Awareness, & Self-Empowerment for Women with Disabilities – an event for women living with spinal cord injuries and disorders, will include a variety of workshops to enable this community to overcome many common obstacles toward a better quality of life.

The free conference open to the public, was created to offer women with disabilities a forum to address their special needs, share their triumphs, and interact with peers and advocates dedicated to shattering public misperceptions and stereotypes.

"United Spinal is excited to once again partner with ICS to host this valuable conference. We have received so much positive feedback from last year's attendees and we hope to offer women with disabilities in search of greater independence even more tools and resources to live an active and healthy lifestyle," said Marlene Perkins, VP of Corporate and Community Relations at United Spinal.

This year's keynote speaker is Judy Heumann, special advisor for International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State. Heumann's extensive work in advocacy has led to key human rights legislation and policies that have helped empower hundreds of thousands of women with disabilities across the country.

From Within attendees will have the opportunity to participate in frank and open discussions on sexuality and relationships; nutrition; breast care and OB/GYN; wheelchair check-ups; fashion; and much more.

Workshop presenters will include Susan C. Wolf, MD, PhD, clinical director of ICS's Access to Women's Health Care Program; Jordan Silver, designer/owner of AgApparel; Richard Doscher, RD, clinical nutrition manager; and Miyako J., a professional make-up artist who has worked on commercials for Colgate Total, MTV, and BET Networks.

Exhibitors will include United Spinal's Wheelchair Medic program; New York City Parks & Recreation; Barrier Free Living; and MS Society of New York City.

The conference is free and open to the public. Advance registration recommended.

Continental breakfast and lunch will also be provided.

Saturday, May 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ICS Brooklyn Center
25 Elm Place-5th Floor (Btw. Fulton Mall & Livingston)
Brooklyn, NY 11201

From Within is presented with support from the Greater New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The conference is sponsored by Bussani Mobility Team and NYS EPIC.

For more information, please visit http://www.unitedspinal.org/from-within-conference or call Marlene Perkins at 800-404-2898 ext. 7330.

About United Spinal Association

www.unitedspinal.org

United Spinal is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D. United Spinal was instrumental in getting New York City to create sidewalk curb ramps and accessible public transportation that has been used as a model for many United States cities.

About Independence Care System (ICS)

ICS operates a nonprofit Medicaid managed long-term care plan in New York City whose motto is: "Adults with Physical Disabilities Welcome Here." Specifically designed to assist Medicaid- and nursing home-eligible adults with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses, ICS works with our members to coordinate the health and social services they need to live independently and participate fully in community life. In addition to agency as well as consumer-directed home care, ICS provides members with a Spinal Cord Injury Program, a Multiple Sclerosis Program (ICS has been designated a "Center of Excellence" by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society), a state-of-the-art wheelchair fitting and repair program, and a model Breast Cancer Screening Program for Women with Physical Disabilities, funded by the Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For more, go to www.icsny.org.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Marlene Harmon-Perkins

http://www.profnetconnect.com/marlene_harmon-perkins

SOURCE United Spinal Association