FYI

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From: Virtual Majordomo Account [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Justice For All Moderator
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 12:09 PM
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Subject: Open Forum: The American Agenda On Disabilities



                      Justice For All

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   Open Forum: The American Agenda On Disability Issues

Clyde Terry writes:
LOCAL & NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO SPONSOR OPEN FORUM;
ISSUES REGARDING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO BE ADDRESSED

With the presidential selection process well underway it is time
for the disability community to focus on what are the positions and
anticipated policies of the candidates. To accomplish this the
organizers and the entire community need your help to urge the
candidates to commit to attend this event and to take our agenda
seriously.  Below are the specifics of the event and action steps
necessary to enable us to hear where they stand on our issues.

NEWS RELEASE

(CONCORD, NH)   State and national organizations representing tens of
thousands of persons with disabilities have joined forces to sponsor
the Open Forum:  The American Agenda on Disabilities.  The Open Forum
will take place on Saturday, Saturday, November 20 at the Executive
Court in Londonderry, NH.

Larry Robinson, co-executive director of the Granite State
Independent Living Foundation, and Clyde Terry, planner with the New
Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council, are two of the leaders
of the Primary Coalition, the organizer of the day.  They said the
list of sponsors indicates the determination of those concerned about
issues affecting persons with disabilities to develop communications
with the next president of the United States.

"Our point is simple, the disability agenda is America's agenda
and we want to learn how presidential candidates stand on this
agenda," said Terry.  "Persons with disabilities ask no more than to
be able to have a fair opportunity to enjoy the rights and benefits of
this country without needless impediments blocking their progress.  We
need a president who will lead the way in changing misconceptions and
eliminating barriers, and who will make equal access as important as
equal opportunity."

Robinson said the Primary Coalition will sponsor a luncheon
"with local and national leaders in the disability movement addressing
how to continue to make progress on creating an accessible America in
the next century."  Robinson said they have been in contact with the
campaign organizations of major candidates and have received
encouragement.  He said the campaigns are checking availability for
that date.

"Our forum is on how to open opportunities in America to all
Americans, and we are open to candidates coming and speaking to over
300 voters concerned about these issues.  In New Hampshire alone, we
have over 187,000 persons with disabilities who are eligible to vote.
I believe every candidate would want the opportunity to speak to our
group, and so we will have time in our agenda to welcome candidates."


Doug Vollmer, Associate Executive Director for Government
Relations of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, said, "PVA is pleased
to be a sponsor of the Open Forum.  PVA applauds the effort to bring
the issues of importance for people with disabilities to the forefront
of the political agenda in a meaningful and nonpartisan way.  The Open
Forum will be a start in making issues of concern to people with
disabilities a major agenda item for candidates in the upcoming
election, and in all future elections."

Robinson said he is already receiving many requests to attend
the Open Forum and anticipates a full house for the day.  He said that
national leaders in the disability movement understand the importance
of getting people involved.

Justin Dart, of Justice For All, and a national disability leader said
the Open Forum is a major event for the election and urged "the
disability community to get involved in politics as if your life
depends upon it.  It does."

Organizations sponsoring the Open Forum include:

The New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council,
Granite State Independent Living Foundation Inc.,
Disabilities Rights Center,
Governors Commission on Disability,
Residential Resources Inc.
New Hampshire Regional Action Committees,
Justice for All
Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire
Brain Injury Association
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems
American Association of People with Disabilities
Granite State Concerned Parents and Advocates
Institute on Emotional Disabilities at Keene State College,
National Organization on Disability
Community Support Network Inc.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
New England Paralyzed Veterans of America
National Council on Independent Living


Members of the disability community need to contact the national
campaign offices and urge them to attend this very important event.
Also, contact your local media outlet and let them know about the
event.

Please direct questions or sign on as a cosponsor, by email to:

Clyde Terry
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--
Fred Fay
Chair, Justice For All
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http://www.jfanow.org

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