A Meaningful Place for All
A National Conference on Disability Inclusion and National Service
This Just In: Plenary Session Transcripts
In early December, the 2005 National Conference on Disability Inclusion and National Service reflected on the last decade and looked to the future of inclusion in national service programs.
This event placed the national service and disability communities in a setting that fostered the development of innovative ideas, strong partnerships, and an environment where everyone will have the opportunity to make a difference in their community.
On this page you will find links to speeches presented at the conference plenary sessions.
Opening Plenary
A Meaningful Place for All opened with reflections on the benefits of inclusive service from leaders of the national service and disability communities.
- Andrew Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Mr. Imparato discussed the benefits of inclusion in national service programs-- to individuals with disabilities who serve, those who serve alongside them, and to the target community. He emphasized that AAPD has committed to promote public and community service among people with disabilities throughout the country. Read Mr. Imparato's speech.
- David Eisner, President and CEO of the Corporation for National Community Service. Mr. Eisner communicated his belief that everyone has the ability to serve and make a difference in the community. He pointed out that inclusion aligns with the Corporation's strategic plan. His speech closed with a question-and-answer session with the audience, where he clarified the effects that enrollment in national service has on individuals' disability benefits. Read Mr. Eisner's speech.
- John P. Kretzmann, Co-Director of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute. Dr. Kretzmann explained asset-based community development. He pointed out through many examples that we should focus on the assets of individuals and communities as opposed to deficiencies-- what an entity has, not what they need. Read Dr. Kretzmann's speech.
Success Stories
The second day started with one of the highlights of the conference that showcased how the benefits of inclusive service environments reach individuals with disabilities, the people they serve with, and their programs. Bob Williams, Policy Advisor for the Association of University Centers on Disability, moderated a panel of current and past AmeriCorps service members with disabilities: Santa Perez, a VISTA member in Nevada; AmeriCorps alumnus Tom Hamel; AmeriCorps alumnus Emmannuel Jenkins; and AmeriCorps VISTA alumna Maureen Shenberger.
- Bob Williams opened the session with a discussion of how the values inherent in national and community service have affected his life. He commended the panelists on their commitment to making the world a better place. Read Dr. Williams's speech.
- Santa Perez, a current AmeriCorps VISTA member, started a People First program through her VISTA service. She spoke about the importance of self-advocacy in the disability community. Read Ms. Perez's speech.
- Emmanuel Jenkins, an alumnus of AmeriCorps who continues to volunteer in his community, told his story of a lifetime of community service. He emphasized the positive influence he had on those he served, and a program-- Ticket to the Future-- he initiated during his service. Read Mr. Jenkins's speech.
- Maureen Shenberger, an alumna of AmeriCorps VISTA, is now working towards her master's degree at Tufts University. She discussed her responsibilities as a VISTA member and how her disability played a key role as she worked with the students in the program. Read Ms. Shenberger's speech.
- Tom Hamel, an alumnus of AmeriCorps who continues to serve with a number of community organizations, discussed how service brought him away from his accountant job and helped him realize his passion of working with children in recreational activities. Read Mr. Hamel's speech.
Recognition for Excellence
In a plenary session, Emmanuel Jenkins--AmeriCorps alumnus and lifelong community volunteer--was officially recognized for his commitment to service. Claude Allen, Chief Domestic Policy Advisor to President George W. Bush, presented Mr. Jenkins with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, an honor given to Americans who have made a sustained commitment to volunteer service throughout their lives. Local news coverage.
Before presenting Mr. Jenkins with the award, Mr. Allen talked about the administration's commitment to national and community service, emphasizing that we are at our best when we serve. Read Mr. Allen's speech.
Pat Morrissey, Director of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, followed by talking about her volunteer experience, how she benefited from it, and how she helped her community. She closed with a discussion of how service benefits everyone involved. Read Ms. Morrissey's speech.
An Inspirational Conclusion
The conference closed with words from a disability community celebrity: Timothy Harrington, Director of the Ability Center of Greater Toledo, and producer and star of the popular video The 10 Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities. Mr. Harrington told the inspirational, insightful, and humorous story of growing up and learning to live with a disability. He emphasized the importance of service and inclusion and charged the audience to always work together to make the world better, each day. Read Mr. Harrington's closing keynote address.
In addition to these presentations, the conference offered more than thirty workshops and forums, providing attendees with the opportunity to acquire new skills, contribute their expertise to a variety of discussions, and network with a diverse array of people representing over 275 organizations.
Relevant materials from workshops at the event will be posted soon.
If you have any questions concerning this event, want to request a training or strategic planning session from NSIP, or have a question concerning the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in national service programs, please feel free to contact us.
©The National Service Inclusion Project is a cooperative agreement (#01CAM0016) between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston in collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.