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Main Conference Speakers: U-Z |
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Main Conference Speakers: U-Z |
 Bruce
Uditsky,
M.Ed., is the Executive Director of the Alberta Association for Community
Living (AACL). Bruce
consults and speaks frequently across Canada and internationally on
community inclusion. His most recent article was on individualized
funding.
Bruce is the parent of two sons, one of whom has a developmental
disability. |
CANADA |
| Linda Velgouse is responsible for consumer direction activities and projects at the National Council on the Aging. Prior to coming to NCOA, Linda was the State Public Policy Director for the Maryland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. She also served as a Health Planner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and held several administrative positions in housing and services for the elderly and disabled. | UNITED STATES |
 Ana
Vicente is the manager of the Individualized Quality of Life
Project, a demonstration project sponsored by Family Service Association
of Toronto. Launched in 1997, the project has provided access to
individualized funding, facilitation of person-centered planning, and
assistance in developing support networks, to 150 individuals with
intellectual disabilities and their families. Ana brought to the project
over 20 years experience in service and community development work. |
CANADA |
 Carol
Warner is a prominent voice in the self-advocacy movement in
the state of Vermont. She does workshops with the Vermont
Self-Determination Project, and is also a trainer for the Invisible
Victims Awareness Project, where she does workshops about issues of abuse.
Carol is also a co-trainer with the state Division of Developmental
Disabilities staff doing introductory training for agency support staff.
Carol is vice-president of the Peer Support Network, Vermont's statewide
self-advocacy organization. |
UNITED STATES |
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CANADA |
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CANADA |
 Bob Williams is the
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy
in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. This
office is charged with responsibilities for developing, analyzing,
evaluating and coordinating the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
policies and programs which address the health and ongoing support needs
of children, working age adults and older persons with disabilities.
From 1993 - 1997, Mr. Williams provided strategic leadership as
Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in HHS.
Prior to joining HHS, he worked on the passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act while with the United Cerebral Palsy Association and also
on the closing of Forest Haven, the District of Columbia's institution for
people with severe disabilities and complex medical needs. He holds a B.A.
in Urban Studies from George Washington University. Mr. Williams grew up
in Connecticut where he first became active in the disability civil rights
movement while in high school. |
UNITED STATES |
| David Young is a seasoned bureaucrat and human service professional who has over 20 years experience in the community and social service sector. His career has provided him with a solid background in Community Living, Child Welfare, Family Services. Most notably, David played a key role in promoting inclusive child care in British Columbia and Canada through his work on Supported Childcare and on the SpeciaLink National Advisory Committee. As an Area Manager with the Ministry of Social Services, David was responsible for the Ministry’s Individualized Funding Project facilitating individualized planning, funding and services for project participants. Most recently, David has served as a Regional Operating Officer and as the Director of Contract Reform for Ministry for Children and Families. His current work focuses on promoting and supporting high quality community-based services to children, families, and adults throughout British Columbia. | CANADA |
| Anita Yuskauskas is currently Chief for the Developmental Disabilities Division in Hawaii. She previously worked as the Chief Policy Analyst for the Center for Outcome Analysis in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, where she led the qualitative case study component of the national impact assessment on self-determination. Anita began her career working with people with developmental disabilities in 1977 and has held various positions in the community service system, ranging from direct support worker to County Administrator of Mental Retardation Services. Anita has conducted numerous program evaluation and qualitative research projects specializing in organizations undergoing broad change. She has also provided technical assistance to families and organizations, taught graduate courses in Special Education and Human Services, and volunteered her time as an advisor to a self advocacy organization in Chester County, Pennsylvania. As a trained mediator, Anita occasionally conducts training in conflict resolution. She received her Ph.D. from Syracuse University in 1992. | UNITED STATES |
David & Faye Wetherow are independent facilitators, trainers and 
David
Wiens is a Lecturer in Applied Communications at Kwantlen
University College. A recognized parent leader, David is working
actively with individuals and families, service providers,
professionals and government to ensure that individualized funding becomes an option for people with disabilities in BC.