Connecting_Communities_09

KEN BODDIE: Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Monnes-Anderson, honored state representatives, county and city commissioners, esteemed business leaders, non-profit executives and staff, and citizens of the greater Portland area, welcome to the inaugural gathering of “Connecting Communities.” My name is Ken Boddie from KOIN 6 TV and it is my great pleasure to serve as your emcee this evening.

Today marks a milestone in our community, as we join together to unite, embrace, educate, support and celebrate October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

We have connected today to celebrate inclusion and diversity, as well as to highlight the fact that people with disabilities are the largest underemployed pool of skilled adults in Portland, in Oregon, and in the United States. We need to do something to change both the perception of individuals who have disabilities and the reality of the situation as it exists. Today is a start – a significant start – in our efforts to end the disconnect that exists between employers and potential employees who happen to be disabled.

• The dozen non-profits all dedicated to empowering people with disabilities, who lined with the two lead organizations – Portland Habilitation Center Northwest and DePaul Industries – in putting all of the components together for today’s celebration. They are:

• Our many performers and volunteers, along with an impressive gathering of elected and appointed civic leaders, all of whom took time from their very busy schedules to be here this evening

• And as they say, last but not the least, our wonderful sponsors who generously donated to make today possible:

Let’s get the evening started with a magnificent dance performance by the Disability Art & Culture Project.

KEN BODDIE: What a tremendous way to get the festivities rolling. That was a powerful and inspiring performance! Let’s give a big round of applause to Kathy Coleman, co-founder of DACP and their wonderful dance troupe!

Before I call on our next guest, I would like to remind everyone that in your giveaway bags, you will find your Connecting Communities program. For those of you who parked in the Doubletree Parking Garage, your free parking ticket is attached to the program. Also attached to your copy of the program is a raffle ticket. We have some fabulous prizes drawings as a way of saying thank you for coming to Connecting Communities. One of the many prizes are two round-trip tickets anywhere in the United States care of JetBlue Airways. These fabulous airline tickets are worth over $1000 each. Take note though: you have to be present to receive these prizes and all drawings will be at the latter part of tonight’s event.

I would now like to ask Choi (Shay) Marquardt to join me on stage. Choi is a noted Portland writer and narrator. She will be reciting her original, “Walk Along Side Me.”

If I had to single out one individual who is primarily responsible for “Connecting Communities 09,” it would be Therese Grayson, Director of Public Relations at Portland Habilitation Center Northwest. Therese will be making a special presentation to Carole Levine and Ben Moorad of the Returning Veterans Project. Therese, please come up on stage.

KEN BODDIE: One of our newest and finest government officials, Commissioner Amanda Fritz, is with us this evening. Born and raised in England, and a graduate of Cambridge University with a Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Commissioner Fritz came to the United States in 1979. She completed nursing training in Pittsburgh and spent four years in Rochester, NY, then realized that Portland is the best place in the world to live and raise a family, and moved here in 1986. She worked for 22 years in inpatient psychiatry at OHSU, and served for seven years on the Portland Plannng Commission, before winning election to the Portland City Council in November 2008.Commissioner Fritz, please come to the microphone to unveil the names of the new City of Portland Commission on Disability.

Announcement of new City of Portland Commission on Disability by Commissioner Amanda Fritz

Thanks everyone… I am so excited to be here. I have distinct honor of being the Commissioner in charge of the Portland Commission on Disability. As long time practicing nurse I am no stranger to some of the challenges facing Portlanders with disabilities. As a long time neighborhood activist I am also aware of the importance of a community coming together to have a united voice for what is important to them. The New Commission is just one way the disability community has to connect with all of my colleagues here. There are many organizations and grass roots efforts happening around Portland and I urge all of you to consider getting involved somewhere. Tonight is a great example of what a group of people working together can accomplish. I understand almost fifteen different organizations came together to bring this wonderful event to fruition.

I would now like to announce the Portland Commission on Disability Commissioners. When I call your name could you raise your gavel so we can acknowledge you.

Mellani Calvin

Christina Cooper

Therese Grayson

Scott Hatley

Adam Kriss

Nyla McCarthy

Carrie Jo Stairs

Michael Szporluk

Bhell, Sokpak

DeLa Torre, Alan

Nguyen, Linda (Lehang)

Soto, Rudy (Rodolfo)

Westwood, Dean

Jackson, Jim

King, Molly

Jewls Krentz

Channah Pastorius

Wong, Mei Ling

Charles Davis

Phyllis Pettys

Martha Simpson

Travis Wall

Amy Anderson

Anne O’Malley

Caitlin Wood

Jan Campbell

Joe Vanderveer

Catherine Todd

Reena Wagle

These folks will be volunteering there time to help make the disability community voice be heard. They are your representatives so make sure to let them know what is going on with the community as you experience it. You can visit the Commission at the Disability Program website on portland online and you are all invited to attend commission meetings when they get started. They should be announcing the date of the Commission meetings sometime in December so if you want a status update or need any other information about a City bureau or program you can always call us at 503.823.4000

KEN BODDIE: Thank you, Commissioner Fritz, and congratulations to the new members of the City of Portland Commission on Disability. You have all earned your accolades.

It is my pleasure now to ask Commissioners Dan Saltzman, Amanda Fritz, Nick Fish, Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler, Auditor Levanne Griffin-Valade, and Office of Neighboorhood Involvement Bureau Director Amalia Alarcon de Morris to step up to announce the 2009 Making a Difference Awards presented by the City of Portland.

Dan Saltzmn: Thank You Ken. And Thank you everyone for being here tonight. Last year I was honored to be asked to be the master of ceremonies at the Making a Difference Awards. And I am excited to see the progress the disability community has shown us by this event and the through the individuals receiving awards tonight.

The Making a Difference Awards started three years ago under the direction of Disability Coordinator Nickole Cheron and The Portland Citizens Disability Advisory Committee. It was conceived to both bring the committee together to celebrate its diversity and to recognize those organizations and individuals who through outstanding leadership and service make a difference in the disability community here in Portland….. And Now for the awards:

Whereas some arts administrators do not understand or take the issue of access seriously, Helen, with the support of her colleagues in the RACC Grants department, has addressed this issue head on, with enthusiasm and clarity. Her approach and efforts are making an impact on the arts landscape to make the arts more accessible to all citizens. Her advocacy efforts have brought the issue to the attention of many artists and arts organizations and resolved issues that have been longstanding and problematic for people with disabilities in Portland. Starting with this year’s Project Support grant applications, RACC has changed their process to assure that grantees are both aware of their obligations to be accessible to the full community and that they are responsible to actively take steps to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Helen is an active participant in an Oregon Arts Commission process to look into increasing access to the arts at a State level.

Michael Levine’s dedication to transportation issues has made a tremendous impact on things you probably see and use everyday. Michael now resides in California but prior to his move he was a tireless advocate for transportation issues serving as Chair of the Transportation Sub-committee of the Portland Citizens Disability Advisory Committee and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Accessible Transportation. In his time on the PCDAC Michael was instrumental in initiating policy that ensured all tactile warning strips on non-brick side walks be yellow. He also worked closely with the bureau of transportation on right of way concerns in regards to the new bus mall including concerns around placements of curb-ramps and lift access. He was instrumental in organizing the Roll and Stroll event that each year asks City officials and key employees to navigate Portland streets with simulated disabilities. He likewise committed to his work on CAT providing trainings, advocating for bus drivers to call out stops and doing ride alongs, always stressing the importance of transportation access that is universal for everyone.

I am thrilled to be giving this award to my friend Majorie. I have had the pleasure of knowing Marjorie………………..Recently she was the force behind the Women with Disabilities Health Equity Coalition. Marjorie’s dedication to empowering disabled women through education and training project resulted in over 10 women becoming community health workers. Today, they are giving back to their communities throughout the city and state.

Marjorie’s advocacy for the disabled community to be represented in regional emergency preparedness created a valuable report that focused on how members of the disability community communicate, and the communication channels that should be used in the event of an emergency. Marjorie's dedication to the health and well being to her community is remarkable.

Amy was the valedictorian of her high school and yet because of her multiple disabilities once in College she had to fight for her right to take the "normal" requirements just like everyone else. Amy currently is working with Rehabilitation and Research Training Center as partial fulfillment of her course work. The team she works with says Amy is nothing less then amazing. Her creativity and attention to detail has been invaluable. Folks at the RRTC now know if they need something done to send Amy she knows everyone on the floor and everyone who knows her adores her. Living in McMinnville Amy commutes two hours both ways to school here in Portland and work at OHSU. In her free time Amy has taken it upon herself to educate both riders and drivers about service animals. She developed a brochure featuring Tux, her service dog, explaining what service animals are, why they may be needed, and how to behave around them. Amy is a member of emerging leaders North West and I have a feeling this is not the last we will her from this spectacular youth.

As the Commissioner in charge of police I am no stranger to the name Bill West. He has served on the Divelopmental Disability Advisory Committee for over a decade and has working with Portland Police in several other capacities. Bill has worked at The Arc of Multnomah/Clackamas for nearly 30 years. The Arc is the largest and oldest membership based organization in this country (and this community) working for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is one of first professionals to provide services that are and have been directed by the person with intellectual and developmental disabilities and for the purpose of obtaining positive and personal outcomes to meet their myriad needs. He has worked with special populations effected by the criminal justice system, advocated and trained many law enforcement personnel as well as professionals in the areas of child welfare, vocational services, housing programs, professionals in the medical and mental health communities and those working with people who are elderly and have intellectual and developmental disabilities, religious organizations and myriad others.

Last year a very special award was created to recognize individuals whose achievements are exemplary. This year we have two recipients of the Silver Star award: Scott Lay and Arthur Honeyman

Arthur Honeyman was the first person with a significant disability to be enrolled at PSU without an attendant. Art’s father had to fight for Art to attend PSU, and Art ultimately got BA in English and two Master’s degrees. He helped start the Student’s with Disabilities Union at PSU and eventually taught literature classes at PSU, one of which looked at the portrayal of people with disabilities in literature.

Art was an accomplished author; his most famous work is the children’s book “Sam and his Cart.” He also wrote astounding epic poems and wickedly funny stories. He was also an activist—in his home was a picture of him from the 70’s when police dragged him away from the Trojan Nuclear Plant.

He insisted on accessibility and inclusion his whole life. He always lived independently. In 2007 He was portrayed in the movie, Music Within. One particularly scene that really captures Art’s dedication and tenacity is when he is denied service at a pancake house because of his disability. Rather than leave, he let the restaurant call the police. We Thank him for his contributions.

Not all people can say that work they did while here on earth enabled others, even those they never met, to live more independent, successful, rich and happy lives, but Scott Lay can. While Scott passed away in July of this year, his fingerprints remain and make a difference everyday in the lives of so many.

Scott made it his mission in life to facilitate the dreams of people with disabilities to live in their communities, to work at a job of their choosing and to enjoy life like their non-disabled peers. From laws, programs and polices that empower, to buildings, parking spaces, work places, and other areas throughout our community that are more accessible, to the thoughts, attitudes and actions of those more enlightened, all the way to the smiles on proud faces, to the heads held high and the hearts more full of pride and dignity.

It is time now for a musical intermission of 15 – 20 minutes. I am so delighted to introduce the very talented pianist, Jeremy Doney. Jeremy’s gift and passion is music – whether listening, playing or performing on the piano. He is a 21 (?) year-old tribal member from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon. Jeremy has been blind since birth. Yet even at a very young age, he was constantly drawn to music and playing with the keyboard which helped to motivate him explore his world. An alumnus of the Oregon School for the Blind in Salem, Jeremy has been professionally performing at a variety of events, most recently at the Portland Ten Grands concert. He also has his own CD, and if you are interested in purchasing, please call 503-378-3820. Let’s listen now to Jeremy Doney in an enjoyable and moving solo performance. See you back here in a little while.

We have come now to one of the highlights of the evening, the keynote speech. Many times we have heard keynote addresses and wondered why that person was selected. I promise you that once our keynote speaker – Ollie Cantos – is finished, you will know why the committee zeroed in on him to set the tone and send the message for “Connecting Communities 2009.”

Olegario “Ollie” Cantos VII is a graduate of the prestigious Loyola Law School at the Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA, named by the Princeton Review as one of the country’s top Law Schools. Many of the U.S. top lawyers, politicians, judges, and academia are fellow alumni of our esteemed guest who himself is Vice- Chairman of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities and a trial attorney with the Investigations Unit of the Civil Rights Division at the US Department of Justice. He is also an Academic Advisory Board Member at LeadAmerica and a member of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Disability Research at the US Department of Education. His life story and his message on building coalition in the midst of Oregon’s economic crisis should prove inspirational to everyone here this evening. He is a person who doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk, as they say in the world of sports.

Ollie Cantos has dedicated his life toward helping to advance equality of opportunity and access for this nation’s more than 50 million Americans with disabilities. He is an activist and humanist, who has the unique distinction of being a presidential appointee, career attorney and Justice Department leader all at the same time.

No need to go on with his lengthy and impressive resume. We would all rather hear directly from him. So here he is, our keynote speaker, Ollie Cantos.

KEN BODDIE: That was powerful, that was impressive, Ollie. Thanks so much for coming to the City of Roses out of your very hectic schedule to grace us with your presence. . It is indeed an honor to hear your powerful message in support of our citizens with disabilities and what the power of a united coalition brings.

The “Connecting Communities” group sent a letter in August to President Barack Obama to inform him of this event and to re-emphasize the message of inclusion. You will find a copy of this letter as an insert in your program. Here is a small excerpt from the letter sent to our Commander in Chief:

In response to our letter, as well as hundreds and thousands of other correspondence, a Proclamation by the President of the United States was issued on September 30, 2009. In part it states the following:

Now let’s turn our attention from the nation’s capital to our own community through the announcement of the formation of the CCC – the Connecting Communities Coalition, whose first meeting will be next month, November 19.

I would like the following five folks to join me on the podium to say a few short words:

Ann Balzell, Director of Programs of the Mutliple Sclerosis Society, Oregon Chapter

As a reminder to all, the sign-up sheets for the Connecting Communities Coalition is at……..

KEN BODDIE: As the evening draws to a close, we would love to give out some great prizes, including the grand prize of two round-trip tickets anywhere in the contiguous United States courtesy of JetBlue. As the program states, winners must be present or they’re not winners.

I would like to have Lucy Baker, Executive Director of the Oregon Business Leadership Network and Samantha Sproson of the Oregon Disability Chamber to join me in drawing the winning tickets and announce the winning numbers. Lucy, Sam.

KEN BODDIE: What a great night this has been! Thank you again to our many volunteers, our great sponsors, the wonderful non-profit agencies in the Portland community serving people with disabilities, our fine elected and appointed civic officials, our guest speaker Ollie Cantos, and thank you so very much for coming to “Connecting Communities 2009.” In behalf of Portland Habilitation Center Northwest and its Connecting Communities partner organizations we look forward to seeing all of you next year for Connecting Communities 2010!! Have a good night, drive carefully and keep on doing what you are doing to make the dreams of inclusion, full participation and equality of opportunity a reality!! This is Ken Boddie and it has been an honor to join you this evening.