List of Speakers
(scroll down for
pictures and bios)
COMEDY
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Michael Aronin knows two things: he’s got a killer sense of humor and
he has cerebral palsy. But Michael growing up never let his disability get him
down - in fact it hardly even phased him. While an undergraduate at Towson State University he was elected President of the Student Government Association and has gone on to be one of the hardest working
comics in the country. (more) |
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Born and
raised on the east coast, Jeff was the perfect example of an all around
guy - high school star quarterback, tennis, basketball and golf player,
and All American diver on his swim team. It wasn¹t until the beginning
part of his junior year was he involved in an automobile accident
causing a broken neck and spinal cord injury. Hospitalization and
rehabilitation consumed every day of the next six months. Jeff returned
to school and was graduated before taking on college as a wheelchair
user. After his first two years of study he was accepted and transferred
to Wright State University where enrolled in a new bio/engineering
program dealing with spinal cord research. The program was highly
acclaimed and was featured on a segment of "60 Minutes". While
participating in this promising study for SCI patients, he continued his
studies that lead to a B.A. degree in psychology and business, two
subjects that certainly fueled the mind of this aspiring comedy writer
with plenty of material. |
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To be a first in Hollywood is not an easy task, but
comedian Chris Fonseca has earned that title.
He is the first (and only) person with a visible disability to
entertain on The Late Night Show
with David Letterman, something
that had not been done in the show’s 18 year history.
Chris allows his Cerebral Palsy to be the foundation of many of
his stories. He notes that this helps to break down many preconceived
barriers about CP. For fifteen years now he has had collegiate,
corporate and association audiences rolling with him in the aisles.
(more)
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Kenny Johnson contracted measles at the age of two that resulted in the
gradual loss of sight. It was just about the time his father was ready
to teach him to drive that he realized that his sight had diminished to
just light and dark images--and he wonders why he never got his license.
(more) |
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Brett Leake - Brett is one of the pioneer comedians with a
disability. A veteran of eight appearances on “The tonight Show”, is
one of the most requested comedians. Brett is an extremely funny
comedian and bills himself as “the squeaky clean comic”. Reflecting
on how he sees the world, Brett’s humor has entertained corporate,
collegiate and non-profit audiences throughout the country.
(more)
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Allen Rucker is the
author of the new New York Times reviewed, "The Best Seat in the
House: How I woke up one Tuesday morning and was paralyzed for
life". Several of Allen's nine authoring credits include: The
Sopranos: A Family History", "Sopranos Family Cookbook",
and A History of White People in America.
(more)
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CELEBRITIES
SPEAK OUT
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Patty
Duke is an Academy Award winner, past President of the Screen actors
Guild, best selling author, and has been delighting and challenging
audiences for more than 40 years in the movies, on stage and on
television. Her first major role came as she portrayed Helen Keller in
the Broadway version of “The Miracle Worker”. After a two-year run,
she was selected to star in the movie version of the same show. Her
Oscar winning performance launched her career as one of the America’s
finest young talents.
(more) |
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Robert David Hall- Robert is seen
weekly on the hit CBS series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Now in
his fifth year as Coroner, Dr. Al Robbins, Robert has combined his long
-running Hollywood presence with a gifted ability to advocate for those
with a disability. Robert has been appointed the National Chair for
Disability Affairs for both the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA, serves on
the Board of Directors of the National Organization on Disabilities and
has won numerous awards that have recognized him for his continuous
contributions.
(more) |
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Montel
Williams can be seen daily on hundreds of television stations during his
syndicated "The Montel Show". Like many in the field of
entertainment he was forced to keep his MS private. After many years
since diagnosis he is now speaking out. Montel is a compassionate and
powerful speaker. His recognition as a strong military leader and active
participate in the entertainment industry gives him an educational and
entertaining foundation n which to build a powerful presentation.
(more) |
SPEAKING
WITH HUMOR
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Kathy Buckley - Riveting. Truthful. Challenging. Just some for the words that
describe Kathy Buckley, otherwise known as “America’s First
Hearing- Impaired Comedienne,” Kathy Buckley is more than a popular
comic. Her humor has a higher purpose. As quoted on the PBS television
production, “Look Who’s Laughing”, “My
comedy disarms people. I truly believe that the only disability out
there is attitude. I love to make people laugh, but I love it even more
if I can teach them something at the same time.” (more) |
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Geri Jewell- Geri Jewell was best
known to millions as “Cousin Geri” from the ground-breaking NBC
sitcom, “The Facts of Life” but her continuous visibility in
Hollywood has brought landed her a role on the HBO hit series,
“Deadwood”, “Young and the Restless” and the Living Channel’s,
“Strong Medicine”. She continues to be one of the most requested
speakers on diversity and disability and has entertained audiences
throughout the country.
(more) |
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Richard
Pimentel is a nationally renowned expert on Disability Management, Job
Recruitment, Job Retention, Americans with Disabilities Act, and
Attitude Change. He is not only technically proficient, he is also an
exceptional communicator whose audiences praise his ability to combine
information, humor, metaphor, analogy and storytelling into an
informative whole that does not just present
the information, but really communicates
it in a memorable fashion.
(more)
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David Roche inspires, entertains, and teaches with remarkable warmth,
humor and dignity. He has transformed the lessons of a lifelong facial
disfigurement into a compelling message that leaves audiences prepared
to face their own challenges and to better understand the differences in
others. The story of David’s heroic journey from shame to strength has
been an inspiration from appearances at the White House to corporations
to academic facilities throughout put the country. (more) |
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Alex Valdez brings twenty-five years of speaking and entertaining
experience to his audiences. Alex is a real pioneer having been the
first comedian with a disability to gain national recognition. Winner of
the first Norman Lear Comedy Competition, presenter of over 2,500 comedy
shows and keynote speaker to over 250 organizations, he has won the
hearts and admiration of his audiences of all ages. (more) |
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Greg Walloch - Greg
brings a new dimension to our roster. He is a comedian, keynote
presenter, author and actor. He was voted one of New York Resident's Top
100 New Yorkers. Some folks also on the list: Edward Albee, Woody Allen,
Hillary Clinton, Norah Jones, Susan Sarandon and Jon Stewart.
Recent articles about his performances have appeared in Unzipped,
A&U and OUT magazines. Here are what several have said about
him:
...Boyishly mischievous performer.. utterly endearing. Brave, welcoming
and playfully conspiratorial, but tinged with an undercurrent of
danger... Especially funny.. Simultaneously tough and disarmingly
sweet.."
- Stephen Holden, The New York Times (more) |
KEYNOTE
SPEAKERS AND TRAINERS
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Chris Burke
- Everybody wants to grow up thinking that they can do
anything that they want to in life. In some cases, they are successful,
but it takes shear determination and the desire of caring parents to let
a child strive for the top. That sounds fine to most, but when the child
has Down's Syndrome, the trail looks even more challenging. Not so for
Chris Burke. (more) |
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W.
Roy Grizzard
Roy is an authority and speaker of the highest level having recently
retired as the the Assistant Secretary of Labor, Office of Disability
Policy. Roy was the first person ever appointed to that position and
held responsibility from 2002 until his retirement in 2007. As one of
the most visible individuals in the disabilities movement, Roy made his
mark in advising the Secretary of Labor on issues relating to the
employment of people with disabilities. He is a gifted speaker and
brings a wealth of knowledge along with a degree of humor. |
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What
happens if you made your lemonade out of the lemons given but years
later the pitcher breaks?
If
you are like Kevin
Frankeberger, you pick up the pitcher and refabricate it with a
new batch of juice! Many
have made the proverbial “lemonade out of lemons’ but to do it twice
in one lifetime is a different kind of feat. (more) |
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Louise Ashby is a young woman from Great Britain who ventured to
the United States to become the next supermodel and actress. No more
than three weeks had passed before that all came to a screeching
halt and delay. Her beautiful face had been almost completely destroyed.
Having survived 18 reconstructive surgeries, a brain injury, the loss of
sight in one eye and 252 bolts, screws and metal plates in her head, she
has again resumed her career path. Her book, "The Magic of the
Mask" details her recovery and her on-going television appearances
just goes to prove that we can reach our goals, sometimes there just a
delay in getting there. (more)
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Roger Crawford - Roger
is one of the pioneers of speakers with a disability. Born with four
deformed limbs, he was given little encouragement by doctors that he
would enjoy a "normal" life. Roger brings to the podium his
story of positive attitude, determination and success. Inducted into
three halls of fame for his championship tennis and speaking
accomplishments, he continues to amaze audience with his programs on
attitude, self-limiting thinking, and achieving success. His story has
also been featured on "CNBC", "Good Morning
America", "Inside Edition", among many other television
and broadcasts. (more) |
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Terry
Healey is a cancer survivor who endured over thirty surgical procedures
in an effort to reconstruct his face, which was disfigured by a
fibrosarcoma when he was only a junior at UC Berkeley. Through a long
and arduous process, Terry realized that the scars on the inside had
become far more disfiguring than the scars on the outside ever were.
Today, at the age of 40, nineteen years after becoming disfigured, Terry
is a professional speaker, author, businessman, board member of The
Wellness Community, and honorary board member of The Cancer League, Inc.
(more)
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As
was the case with many Americans, Michael Hingson’s life changed
dramatically on September 11th. He and his Guide Dog “Roselle” were
the lucky ones, however, in that they escaped the World Trade Center
attack. As a WTC survivor and as a Guide Dog user, he was thrust into
the international limelight. Michael and “Roselle” have since become
well-known as representatives of the strength of the human/animal bond,
and have been successful in communicating the power of that bond in many
media interviews and public presentations. Michael has traveled with a
Guide Dog for 38 years and embodies the lifelong partnerships created by
Guide Dogs for the Blind and those they serve.
(more) |
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John
D. Kemp is widely respected for his many achievements, both in the
corporate and non-profit worlds. As a person born
without arms and legs, John inspires others to achieve the impossible
through knowledge, experience, vision, personality, and
persistence. Mr.
Kemp graduated from Georgetown University in 1971 and from Washburn
University School of Law in 1974. Mr. Kemp was awarded an Honorary
Doctorate of Law from Washburn University School of Law in May, 2003. (more)
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Zoe Koplowitz is the author of the
award-winning book, “The Winning Spirit-Life’s Lessons Learned in
Last Place” and holder of three world records- all for the longest
time taken to complete a marathon. Diagnosed 25 years ago with MS, Zoe
has now completed 20 New York City Marathons. Frequently interviewed by
Katie Couric, Zoe has been
selected as “Five Great Women who Make America Run” and the first
non-celebrity to be featured on the “Milk on the Lips” campaign.
(more) |
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Nelson
Lauver was determined to overcome illiteracy forced upon him by Dyslexia
and an educational system that chose to label him “unteachable”.
Nelson had dreams for his booming radio voice but the inability to read
and write was stopping him from meeting his goals. At 29 years old he
sought help through an occupational rehabilitation program. Through
professional and exhaustive evaluations, it was determined that as a
means of compensating for his reading and writing disability, he had
unknowingly fined honed his listening and speaking to extraordinary
levels. The little boy who teachers had given up on was actually quite
brilliant. (more) |
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At 23, Glenn McIntyre was a college graduate,
married, and a newly sworn-in police officer. He had everything
including a beautiful motorcycle on which he had toured the continental
United State and Alaska. Then the unthinkable happened: a drunk driver
smashed Glenn’s life, instantly disintegrating his body. Through years of rehabilitation and positive
thinking, he has become a survivor and his presentation; “Live Your
Dream” inspires others to meet their goals. (more) |
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Peggy is a dynamic professional
speaker, author, coach and advocate for positive living who just happens
to be a little person, standing 3’8” tall. A certified
psychotherapist, Peggy’s keen insights, passion for evolving human
life and uncanny ability to connect with and elevate students have made
her a popular presenter throughout the USA.
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In 2002, Rachel Simon
completed her fourth book. What was to follow is what every author
dreams about, a bestseller and studio executives knocking on your door
to adapt your book into a television production. “Riding the Bus With
My Sister: A True Life Journey”, has done just that for Rachel. Ms.
Simon is the author of the recently released Hallmark Hall of Fame
movie, “Riding the Bus With My Sister”, starring Rosie O’Donnell
as her sister Beth and Andie McDowell portraying her. Anjelica Huston is
the producer. (more)
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Deborah
Ruh is an award-winning leader in electronic and information technology
(E&IT) accessibility, and is world renowned for assisting both
public and private entities understand ADA, Section 508, Section 225,
and other Accessibility Legislation. Her trend setting company,
TecAccess, hires employees with disabilities from around the world to
help others meet their immediate—and long term–IT/Web accessibility
goals. (more) |
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Juliette Rizzo - Ms.
Wheelchair America 2005 continues to tour the country as one of the
forerunners for women's health and disability advocacy. With a strong
background in communication and public relations, she is an
outstanding speaker on disability issues and diversity. Juliette
empowers Americans by sharing her experiences and adventures with
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and fibromyalgia. Although
currently working in Washington, D.C., Juliette was recognized
"The Best of Texas," serves on the Maryland Governor’s
Commission on People with Disabilities, received the Presidential
Active Lifestyles Award, and has appeared on the CBS “Early Show,”
the Discovery Health Channel’s “National Body Challenge” series
and on “The Today Show” with Al Roker. She has been recognized
nationally for her writings and speaking. (more)
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Randy
Snow was 16 years old while working on a farm when a one-thousand pound
bale of hay crashed down on him, leaving him paralyzed from the waist
down. Narrowly escaping death, the result was a broken back, paralysis
and the end of walking forever. There were many trials ahead and more
lessons to be learned as the simplest tasks took on monumental
proportions. But coming to the realization that it was more painful to
stay the same than it was to change, Randy began to accept his new life.
(more)
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AL
SWAIN - Al was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at a young age. To
most, the loss of mobility and eyesight would be enough to give up. For
Al, it was the incentive to create and build upon what was given to him.
In turn, he has given back for more than he has taken. His resume reads
like a Who’s Who. (more) |
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Mark Wellman - A
100 foot fall and a subsequent spinal cord
injury would have side-lined most, but for Mark, who has always had an
adventuresome sprit and been an "extreme" athlete, his permanent injury was
more of a starting point rather than a finish line. He has since become
the first person to scale the 3,000 foot face of El Capitan and Half
Dome in Yosemite National Park, using just his arms. He is also the
first person to sit-ski across the 50 mile long Sierra Nevada Mountain
Range. (more) |
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Gail
Williamson coordinated the Talent Development and Industry Relations
Division of the Media Access Office (M.A.O) and is currently an
administrator with a Los Angeles-based organization for people with
developmental disabilities. (M.A.O.
is a non-profit disability resource to the entertainment industry under
the direction of the Governor of California’s Committee for the
Employment of Disabled Persons.) Her
work is heralded throughout the disabilities community and applauded by
individuals, television and feature film producers.
(more) |
GREAT
PERFORMANCES
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Mark
Goffeney is a native San Diegan whose talent and ambition have helped
him to achieve ongoing success as a professional guitarist, speaker and
television personality. Mark has been recognized for his work
internationally and was nominated for an Emmy award in 1998 for his
principal role in the Fox Network commercial, “Feet”.
Mark has completed his first CD, titled “Big Toe”. Sponsored by PSB
Records and produced by Steve Dudas (known for his work with Aerosmith
and Ozzy Osbourne). He performs solo and with bands across the county. (more) |
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Afi-Tiombe Kambon defines her profession as an actor and oral
historian of African American history. Her one-person readings and plays
present a program of great impact. “I want the audience to be
entertained, enlightened as well as educated by my performance.”
Afi-Tiombe has studied African-American history for over twenty years.
She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Black Studies from Hayward
University and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Theatre Arts and History.
(more) |
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Injured in a diving accident at 20, Nancy
Becker Kennedy suffered a broken neck with spinal cord injuries resulting. With the
assistance of her electric chair, she returned to college to complete
both a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Communications. She went on to
become a news producer for public television, a published playwright,
award winning writer and composer, as well as an actress appearing
regularly for 2 1/2 years on daytime’s General Hospital. She even
became the first primetime player who is quadriplegic appearing on the
ABC series, The Louie Anderson Show.
(more)
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Gloria Lenoff has Williams Syndrome, a developmental disability that
is much less recognized than the other chromosome deficient disability,
Down syndrome. She also shares a common thread with many who have WS,
she is a musical savant. Despite her inability to either read or write
music, Gloria can sing in 26 languages and has a repertoire of about
2,700 songs. She can also accompany herself on the accordion. (more) |
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Light Motion
is a two-woman integrated dance company that is in a league of their
own. They simply stand alone as one of the finest and most exciting
dance duets. Established in 1988, principle dancers, Charlene Curtiss
and JoAnne Petroff join together to form an internationally acclaimed
dance team which is refreshingly creative, exciting and physically
demanding.
(more)
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Born in Fresno, raised in Los
Angeles, Lynn Manning is an award winning playwright, poet, actor, and
former World Champion Judo player. He accomplished this after being
shot and blinded in 1978. He has appeared on TV shows such as Popular,
Sienfeld, The Sinbad Show, and Dream On. He has been featured in
commercials for Nike Shoes, Hewlet Packard, Sweppes, Bank Of America and
Sprint Long Distance. Lynn wrote and stars in the independent short
film, "Shoot!", which world premiered on HBO/Cinemax this past August. (more) |
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Dat Nguyen is an award-winning guitarist, songwriter and composer. As
a recent music major at the California State University at Fullerton, he
has already been featured at The Orange County Performing Arts Center,
the San Francisco Conservatory, the University of Southern California
and Rice University. (more)
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James Sterrett-Bryant was recently awarded two Gold
Medals in the Operatic and Broadway Division of the Disabled American
Veterans National Creative Arts Festival Competition. James’
performances were highlighted at the national awards ceremony and
concert held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was also featured at the 2004
national conference of the American Legion Auxiliary in Washington, DC.
(more)
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