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May 27, 1999

Chancellor, other Pitt staff, faculty serve on disability task force

Chancellor, other Pitt staff, faculty serve on disability task force

Members of the University community are participating in a regional effort to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. Named Disability Agenda 2000, the group consists of leaders and citizens throughout Allegheny County, divided into 14 subgroups, or sectors, covering a broad spectrum of society.

Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg chairs the higher education sector. Clifford E. Brubaker, dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS); George E. McClomb, co-director of the University Community Leaders and Individuals with Disabilities Center; Kristine E. Stebler, instructor at the Mathilda Theiss Health Center and the School of Nursing; and Michelle Amato and B. Jean Ferketish, chancellor's office staff members, also serve on the higher education committee.

Other Pitt and UPMC Health System participants in the regional initiative include: Rory A. Cooper, SHRS, chair of the research and technology sector; Andrew Jinks, UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital, and Allan R. Sampson, Department of Statistics, serving on th e research and technology sector; Christina J. Groark, Office of Child Development, and Margaret M. Kimmel, information sciences, serving on the families, children and seniors sector; Linda Antonelli, vice president, facility planning and support services , Magee Womens Hospital, serving on the health care sector.

Marshall S. Gordon, School of Social Work adjunct faculty member, is planning consultant to the regional effort. Gordon said that some sectors are still naming members and University affiliates may be added to the subgroups in the future.

According to its mission statement, Disability Agenda 2000 "will design and promote policies and activities for all segments of the community leadership which will bring about the highest quality of life, equal opportunity and effective participation in c ommunity life for all people with disabilities in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County."

Other committee subgroups include: culture and the arts; employment; financial resources; housing planning and design; manufacturing; media, public relations and marketing; neighborhoods; primary and secondary education; professional services and entrepre neurship, and retail business.

"We're still defining our agenda," said SHRS Dean Brubaker. "We're asking: Why are disabled people treated as second-class citizens? What kind of quality of life can they enjoy? The goal, really, is to change the culture.

"I think the chancellor's involvement will help bring a high level of visibility to these issues. Even at this University we need to promote awareness and sensitivity. I don't think [at Pitt] there's a lack of will. People are well-intentioned, well-mean ing, hospitable; but sensitivity is not very high.

"We need to learn what the ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] is all about, for example. It's not merely a piece of legislation, but an overall effort to get people inside the processes of society," Brubaker said.

According to Theresa Lomperski, ADA facilitator in the city's Department of General Services who is staffing three of the subgroups, sectors will outline issues, identify needs, propose policies and design programs and strategies concerning disabled peopl e. They also plan to hold public forums to solicit input.

Sector reports will be consolidated into a general blueprint expected to be issued in January 2000. Gordon, head of Marshall S. Gordon Consultants, will compile the final report.

The recommendations will be presented to city, county and state legislators, community leaders and the media for inclusion on all legislative proposals and community planning efforts, Lomperski said.

Co-chairing the overall regional initiative are Linda Dickerson, partner in the firm of Dickerson & Magnus, and Jim Roddey, managing partner of Allegheny Media and Republican candidate for county executive.

–Peter Hart


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