United Spinal Hosts Free July Webinars: Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities & the ADA's Impact on Civil Rights

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Jul 11, 2013, 09:10 ET

Free July Webinars: For peeps w/ disabilities frm @UnitedSpinal Disaster Prep & #ADA Civil Rights Impact http://ow.ly/mNlv9

NEW YORK, July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association's membership division, National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), will host free webinars in July on the topics of disaster preparedness for people with disabilities, followed by the Americans with Disabilities Act's impact on civil rights of wheelchair users.

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The first webinar Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities––Tues., July 16th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, will provide a brief history of what we've learned about disaster preparedness from the World Trade Center to Hurricane Sandy, as it relates to people with disabilities.

People with disabilities will also learn who does what when an emergency strikes-- from government agencies, to local emergency management personnel, to non-profit organizations in the community.

The webinar will also take a look at:

What works and what doesn't,
What individuals can do to help prepare for their needs,
How the disability community can work together to make disaster preparedness better.

Guest speaker will be Margi Trapani, Communications and Education Director – Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York's (CIDNY).

The second webinar The Americans with Disabilities Act & It's Impact on Civil Rights (ADA)–– Thurs., July 25th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, will highlight how different generations of people with disabilities have been impacted by the ADA.

The webinar will be led by James Weisman, SVP & General Counsel of United Spinal Association––an ADA pioneer and civil rights advocate who has been involved in the disability rights movement since its inception.

Webinar attendees will also learn firsthand about the experiences of two young professionals with disabilities, Alexandra (Alex) McArthur and Quemuel Arroyo ("Q"), who were just infants when the landmark legislation was signed into law and the impact it has had in their lives.

Alexandra (Alex) McArthur is an Associate Consultant for the Taproot Foundation and was a 2012 Coro Fellow in Public Affairs and serves as a board member of the National Disability Institute and Junior Board member of the Resources for Children with Special Needs.

"Q" Arroyo is a Human Resource Analyst at Morgan Stanley and is a spokesperson and active volunteer with Project Sunshine.

Both Mr. Arroyo and Ms. McArthur have been successful in their professional endeavors despite the fact that unemployment remains at 65% for people with disabilities both before and after ADA implementation.

Webinar participants will be able to ask questions and interactively explore multiple aspects of the ADA's successes and continuing challenges with these three dynamic individuals.

About United Spinal Association

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.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.
James Weisman
http://www.profnetconnect.com/jim_weisman

SOURCE United Spinal Association