Growing Leaders Among Persons with Disabilities

The Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership was pleased to be present the first event of a three part series looking at disabilities in Wisconsin. Each event will address a number of specific issues around the general uniting theme of Increasing Independence for Wisconsin’s Disabled Population.

This first event focused on the work currently being done by advocates representing this population in the state, and on ways the state supports or could better support families affected by intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The event consisted of two subsequent panel discussions followed by a keynote speaker over lunch. The keynote address was delivered by Cathy Ficker Terrill, a lifelong advocate, expert consultant, and leader of a substantial number of topical organizations.

The Thompson Center would like to extend our most gracious thank you to our partner The Wisconsin Eye, which streamed and recorded this event.  The conference described here and many other intellectually stimulating events can be found on their website: https://wiseye.org

A WORD FROM THE WISCONSIN EYE

Our mission is to provide unfettered access to the actions of our state government and to the full range of forums, activities, and participants throughout our state that constitute community and public life in Wisconsin; To provide access to the public policy debate and decision-making process without editing, commentary, or analysis and with a balanced presentation of points of view; To provide elected and appointed officials and others who would influence public policy a direct conduit to the audience without filtering, or otherwise distorting their points of view; To employ production values, and to conduct all aspects of our operations, consistent with these principles.

Ryan Owens – Introductory Remarks

Panel 1 – Promoting Self-Advocacy Among Persons with Disabilities

Cindy Bentley – Disability Rights Coalition
Ashley Mathy – People First Rhinelander
Claire Bible – Waisman Center
Steven Woodard – Special Olympics Wisconsin
Erin Miller – People First Wisconsin

Moderator Jennifer Neugart – Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

A Few Words from Tommy Thompson

Tommy G. Thompson – Former Governor of Wisconsin

Panel 2 – Supporting Families Affected by Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Pamela Hencke – Wisconsin Council on Special Education
Lisa Pugh – The Arc Wisconsin
Elizabeth Hecht – Waisman Center

Moderator Cathy Ficker Terrill – Human Services Research Institute

Keynote Address – Cathy Ficker Terrill

November 7, 2019;   9:00am – 1:15pm
The Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
1 John Nolen Dr., Madison WI 53703

Panel 1: Promoting Self-Advocacy Among Persons with Disabilities

• Erin Miller, People First Wisconsin
• Cindy Bentley, People First Wisconsin
• Ashley Mathy, People First Rhinelander
• Claire Bible, Waisman Center
• Steve Woodard, Special Olympics Wisconsin
• Moderator: Jenny Neugart, Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Panel 2: Supporting Families Affected by Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

• Elizabeth Hecht, Waisman Center
• Lisa Pugh, The Arc Wisconsin
• Pamela Hencke, Disability Advocate
• Moderator: Cathy Ficker Terrill

Keynote Address: Cathy Ficker Terrill – advocate, expert consultant, and leader of a substantial number of topical organizations

9-9:10am                 Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:10-10:25am        Panel 1: Promoting Self-Advocacy Among Persons with Disabilities

10:25-10:35am     Break

10:35-11:50am     Panel 2: Supporting Families Affected by Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

11:50-12:00pm     Break

12:00-1:00pm      Lunch & Keynote Address: Cathy Ficker Terrill

1:00-1:10pm          Closing Remarks

Broadcasting Partner – The Wisconsin Eye

The Arc Wisconsin

Waisman Center

Special Olympics Wisconsin

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education department – UW-Madison