2010 APIDC Conference Booklet

SELF DETERMINATIONs t a t e w i d e d i s a b i l i t i e s c o n f e r e n c e

LONG BEACH WESTIN HOTELOCTOBER 29 & 30, 2010

p r e s e n t e d b y

ASIANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERSWITH DISABILITIES OF CALIFORNIA

On behalf of our Conference Planning committee, our Honorary Committee chaired by the City of Long Beach First Lady Nancy Foster, and our wonderful volunteers, welcome to the 2010 Statewide Conference to support Asian and Pacific Islanders with physical and mental disabilities!

Our goal in planning this, our fourth statewide conference, was to identify themes, strategies and solutions to support self-determination. We are joined by an exciting roster of disability and cultural competency experts, and consumers who are committed to expanding the social and professional network for the growing population of people with disabilities.

We hope you will have a fulfilling, memorable, and enjoyable experience.

Sincerely,

Patricia Kinaga APIDC Chair

Daphne Kwok APIDC Executive Director

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010 8:00 a.m. Registration/Continental Breakfast Salon BDC 9:00 Welcome Salon BDC 10:45 Breakout Session A

Best Practices to Outreach to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Disabilities Community”

Barcelona

Breakout Session B The Autism Challenge

Casablanca

Breakout Session C Health Care Reform and Its Impact on APIAs with Disabilities

Tokyo/Vancouver

12:00 p.m. “Real Life Stories” Luncheon Salon BDC 1:30 p.m. Breakout Session A

Accommodation & Beyond: Responsibilities &Rights

Barcelona

Breakout Session B Eliminating Mental Health Disparities

Casablanca

Breakout Session C Transition to Adulthood

Tokyo/Vancouver

3:00 Breakout Session A Social Networking for Organizational Outreach

Barcelona

4:30 Closing Session Salon BDC 5:00 Dinner Reception Grill Patio

APIDC Statewide Disabilities Conference 2010 – 55

Thank you so much for all of our terrific committee members, the wonderful Honorary Committee, awesome volunteers, and generous sponsors!

Gratefully, APIDC Board and Staff

54 – APIDC Statewide Disabilities Conference 2010

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2010 8:00 a.m. Registration/Continental Breakfast Salon BDC 9:00 Real Life Plenary Salon BDC 10:15 Breakout Session A

Physical Access for Individuals with Disabilities

Barcelona

Breakout Session B The Autism Challenge

Casablanca

Breakout Session C Early Start and Special Education Services for Children

Tokyo/Vancouver

11:45 “Our Voices Being Heard” Luncheon Salon BDC 1:45 p.m. Breakout Session A

Employment for Individuals with Disabilities Barcelona

Breakout Session B Mental Health: Hope, Recovery and Open Recovery

Casablanca

Breakout Session C Transition to Adulthood

Tokyo/Vancouver

3:15 Breakout Session A Benefits

Barcelona

Breakout Session B Health Care Reform and Its Impact on APIs with Disabilities

Casablanca

Breakout Session C Youth Leadership

Tokyo/Vancouver

4:45 Closing Session Salon BDC

Friday, October 29, 2010


8:00 am – 9:00 am Registration Location – Pre-function

Continental Breakfast Location – Salon BCD

9:00 am – 10:30 am Plenary Location – Salon BCD

Welcome Patricia Kinaga, Chair, APIDC

Welcome Nancy Foster, Long Beach First Lady, Conference Committee Honorary Chair

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the ADA Honorable Chai Feldblum, Commissioner, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Remarks Susan Mazrui, Director, Public Policy, AT&T Services, Inc.

Plenary Panel – “APIDC’s Role in Advancing Self-Determination Of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Bridging the Disabilities and non-Disabilities Communities”





Speakers:

Peter Wong, Research Director, APIDC Jean Lin, Outreach Coordinator, APIDC

10:45 am – Noon Breakout Sessions –

A. “Best Practices to Outreach to the Asian American and Pacific Islander Disabilities Community”

Location – Barcelona

This panel will discuss the unique challenges of reaching out to the Asian American and Pacific Islander disabilities community, the cultural views and sensitivities necessary in reaching out to this group and best practices from successful outreach programs.

Speakers:

Dr. Siyon Rhee, Disability Rights California

Minji Kim, Client Development Instructor, Asian Rehabilitation Services

Thai Yang, Graphic Designer

Moderator:

Guy Leemhuis, Board Member, APIDC



B. “The Autism Challenge”

Location – Casablanca

This panel will address the rise of autism, how the Asian American and Pacific Islander community are impacted by autism and how the community will need to prepare for the growing population of adults with autism. The panelists will also discuss resources & programs for children and adults with autism.

Speakers:

Jon Hope, Autism Services Manager at San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center

Dr. Richard Rosenberg, Vocational and Training Coordinator, Whittier Union High School District’s Career Connection

Moderator:

June Kuehn, Board Member, APIDC

C. “Health Care Reform and Its Impact on APIAs with Disabilities”

Location – Tokyo/Vancouver

Panelists will address the impact of the historic Health Care Reform Act on the Asian American and Pacific Islander disability community, explore policies which still need to be addressed and how the Asian American





and Pacific Islander disabilities community can mobilize for advocacy efforts.

Speakers:

Kathy Lim Ko, President, Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum

Dr. D.J. Ida, Executive Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association

Moderator:

Daphne Kwok, Executive Director, APIDC

Noon – 1:15 pm “Real Life Stories” Luncheon – “Community Building”

Hear how individuals have worked to build communities for themselves and others with disabilities and how we can continue to support and build the growing disabilities community.

Location – Salon BCD

Introductory special arts presentation by Long Beach Unified students

Real Life Stories Speakers:

Jennifer Kumiyama Kevin Vu Tim Jin Sophornia Ko



Moderator:

Jean Lin, Outreach Coordinator, APIDC

1:30 pm – 2:45 pm Breakout Sessions

A. “Accommodation and Beyond: Responsibilities & Rights


Panelists will discuss legal requirements for accommodating employees with disabilities, describe how employees can seek legal redress, how cultural barriers may impact disability redress, and how community based organizations can assist with outreach.

Speakers:

Bill Tamayo, Regional Attorney, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Jan Garrett, Program Manager, Pacific ADA Center – Pacific DBTAC

Sybil Villanueva, California Department of Employment & Fair Housing

Moderator:

Patricia Kinaga, Chair, APIDC





B. “Eliminating Mental Health Disparities”

Co-sponsored by the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association


Disparities in quality mental health services continue to be a major issue for many of our most vulnerable populations. Failure to provide care that understands the importance of culture increases the likelihood of misdiagnosis, development of inappropriate treatment plans and poor outcomes. Recovery is possible.

Speakers:

Dr. Chong Suh, Director, Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Center

Leafa Tuita Taumoepeau, Community Program Specialist Pacific Islander Initiative, San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services

Moderator:

Dr. D.J. Ida, Executive Director, National Asian American and Pacific Islander Mental Health Association



C. “Transition to Adulthood”


This panel will discuss resources for young adults with disabilities after high school. Hear from counselors and students involved with transition programs.

Speakers:

Lona Pacheco, Vocational Specialist, Ocean View High School

Kim Ha, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Department of Rehabilitation

Mark Matsui, Coordinator, Disabled Students Programs and Resources, Long Beach City College

Herbie Ku’ulei North, Student, Long Beach City College

Moderator:







A. Social Networking for Organizational Outreach”


Panelists will discuss how you can use social networking to expand your organization’s outreach.

Speakers:

Lotay Yang, Founder and President of Black Card Circle®,

Edwin Duterte, CEO, TheViralPublicity.com

James Wright, Diversity Talent Consultant, NBC Universal

Moderator:

Doreen Wong, CEO, Asian Rehabilitation Service

B. Raising Awareness of Utility Programs for Special Needs Communities”


Speakers:

The Gas Company

Linda Yamauchi, Manager of Consumer Affairs, Southern California Edison



C. “Equal Access to Housing for Individuals with Disabilities”


Mr. Quezada will discuss housing access rights, remedies if you are denied housing, denied a request for a reasonable accommodation, or denied a request to make a reasonable modification of the housing.

Speaker:

David T. Quezada, Director, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Los Angeles Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Center

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Closing Session

Hear the highlights from today’s panel discussions.


5:00 pm – 7:00 Mixer Reception

Location – Grill Patio on the First Floor

Entertainment – Jennifer Kumiyama, Ms. Wheelchair California, with a special introduction by Mark Matsui

Raffle Drawing

Resource & Job Fair will be on-going throughout the day in Salon BCD.


A Very Special Thank You


Special thanks:

Daryl Akamichi, Lily Chen, Ngoc Chieu, Stella Chow, Ryan Chuman, Herb Hatanaka, Kim Yen Huynh, Steven Jew, JSL Foods, Mariko Kahn, Jeanette Kang, Glynnis Koike, June Kuramoto, Bruce Kwak, Marcella Low, Christina Mills, Mai Nguyen, James Okazaki

Honorary Conference Committee: Nancy Foster, Chair. Members: Lillian Kawasaki, Mark Matsui, Delores Nason, David Sanfilippo, Dr. Felton Williams

Conference Planning: Steering Committee: Johnna Cho, Rick Eng, Patricia Kinaga, Daphne Kwok, June Kuehn, Jean Lin, Becky Nguyen, Lydia Nguyen, Christine Park-Gonzalez, Mary Rios, Dr. Chong Suh, Lauren Takeda, Doreen Wong, Peter Wong, Kawen Young, Vanda Yung

Members: Nancy Albin, Brad Bagassao, Paul Chang, Griselda Delgadillo, Tom Hayashi, Yael Hagen, Luke Hseih, Guy Leemhuis, Larry Lue, Mariko Magami, Chancee Martorell, Lee Nattress, Lillibeth Navarro, Liz Pazdral, Dr. Ed Pi, Joy Tsuhako, Bill Watanabe, Betty Wilson, Jackie Zaragoza

APIDC: Daphne Kwok, Executive Director; Board of Directors: Johnna Cho, Erica Jones, Patricia Kinaga, Stewart Kwoh, Guy Leemhuis, Becky Nguyen, Dr. Ed Pi, Kelvin Quan, Bill Tamayo

Saturday, October 30, 2010


8:00 am – 9:00 am Registration Location – Pre-function area

Continental Breakfast Location – Salon BCD

9:00 am – 10:00 am Real Life Plenary Session – “Self-Determination” Location – Salon BCD

Hear how individuals with disabilities have enriched their lives and found success and independence.

Speakers:

Luke Hsieh

Jian Hong

Lucianne Latu

Charlie Woo

E. Kevin Mar, M.D.

Moderator:

Johnna Cho, Board Member, APIDC



10:15 am – 11:30 am Breakout Sessions

A. “Physical Access for Individuals with Disabilities”


Panelists will describe your rights to access, and what to do if you have problems accessing public establishments, transportation and accommodations.

Speakers:

Jan Garrett, Program Manager, Pacific ADA Center – Pacific DBTAC

Chip Hazen, ADA Compliance Coordinator for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Moderator:


B. “The Autism Challenge”


This panel will discuss the rise of autism, how the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are impacted by autism and how the community will need to prepare for the growing population of adults with autism. The panel will also discuss resources and programs available for children and adults with autism.

Biographies


Family Agency for 6 years, enjoys the close-knit and face-to-face interaction with his client, is a Youth Leadership Forum Alumni from the inaugural 1992 year, was a wheelchair basketball and track athlete, and traveled to Canada and France bringing Gold back to the USA. He speaks at Hmong community organizations and local elementary schools about living life in a wheelchair. He recently visited his homeland Laos, his first trip since leaving in 1979 after contracting polio at age 4.

Biographies


Council. A native of Hong Kong, Charlie attended UCLA where he graduated summa cum laude and received his master’s degree.

James E. Wright, PHR, is a diversity talent consultant on staff at NBC Universal in Talent Acquisition. Mr. Wright promotes and manages diversity networking and outreach strategies, events and programs that help to identify and develop a pipeline for top diverse talent. Previously, Wright served as the executive director for the California Diversity Council based in Los Angeles.

Linda Yamauchi, Manager of Consumer Affairs for Southern California Edison, is responsible for serving as a liaison between the customer, Public Utilities Commission, and SCE to resolve customer complaints. A 28 year veteran in the utilities industry, she advocates for consumers when resolving customer issues, developing policies and procedures and procedures, new programs and services. She also develops, administers, and communicates programs to SCE’s elderly, and customers with disabilities and medical needs. A UCLA graduate, she is married to Alhambra Vice-Mayor Gary Yamaguchi; they have three children and two grandchildren.

A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Lotay Yang is the founder of Black Card Circle Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that allows a network of conscious capitalists he’s assembled to contribute substantially to the betterment of humanity by raising awareness for, and providing grants, to non-profit organizations that serve one of the following core areas: education, environment, healthcare, global development, and poverty relief.

Thai Yang is a 36-year old Hmong-American living in Fresno whose passion is Graphic Designing. He has worked for a Foster



Speakers:

Jon Hope, Autism Services Manager at San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center


Dr. HyeKyeung Seung, Professor, California State University, Fullerton, Department of Human Communications Studies

Moderator:

June Kuehn, Board Member, APIDC

C. “Early Start and Special Education Services for Children”


This panel will give an overview of the Early Start Program, Special Education and a brief history of the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Panelists will discuss how to access early intervention services, navigate the IEP process and be an effective advocate.

Speakers:

Connie Huang, Supervising Attorney, Disability Rights California

Jackie Chiang, Early Start, Disability Rights California



Moderator:

Mary Rios, I&R/Multicultural Advocate, Disability Rights California

11:45 am – 1:30 pm “Our Voices Being Heard” Luncheon


This session will be an opportunity to address specific needs in the Asian American and Pacific Islander disability community before a panel of elected officials and policymakers. What are the needs of the disabilities community that can be addressed at the local, state or federal level? What policies should be addressed in the upcoming legislative sessions?

Entertainment – Ribbon Dancers, Chinese Parents Association for the Disabled

Special presentation on Jefferson Transitional Program

Guests:

Sefa Aina, Commissioner, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders

The Honorable Judy Chu

Nancy Foster, City of Long Beach First Lady

Lillian Kawasaki, Board Member, Water Replenishment District

Joseph Pak, National Council on Disability

Biographies


Doreen Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Asian Rehabilitation Service (ARS), has been an advocate for disability rights for over 12 years. Prior to joining ARS, she was the Education and Outreach Director for the Disability Rights Legal Center (formerly the Western Law Center for Disability Rights), and was recently named one of Senator Carol Liu’s Women of the Year for 2010. Ms. Wong volunteers on the Susan G. Komen Board of Directors (Los Angeles), Community Rehabilitation Service and the Pasadena Mayor’s Committee on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities. She also serves on the boards of Pacific Bridge Housing, Inc. and Opening Doors.

Peter J. Wong’s doctorate dissertation at UCLA is “Hurdling Barriers: Labor and Employment Experiences of Asian Americans with Disabilities”, is the first study to take a holistic approach (Census Data, focus groups, in-depth interviews) to address employment barriers for APIs with disabilities. He has presented at conferences throughout the country, including the National Institute of Health and the American Public Health Association, and has been a research contributor to APIDC. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Michigan (public policy) and the London School of Economics, and was a senior advisor at the Clinton White House National Economic Council.

Charlie Woo is the nationally renowned co-founder and CEO of Megatoys, an international toy manufacturing company headquartered in Los Angeles. Charlie started this business with his brother Peter in 1989 and they have grown it to the current size of more than 300 employees in the Los Angeles area. Among the many community organizations to which Charlie has lent his leadership and support are the Asian Rehabilitation Service, Inc., CAUSE, and the Los Angeles Historic and Cultural Neighborhood

Biographies


Sybil Villanueva is Associate Chief Counsel for the State Department of Fair Employment and Housing. She was formerly in private practice where she specialized in employment litigation and counseling. Ms. Villanueva has authored cumulative supplements to “Developing Labor Law”. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California San Diego and her juris doctorate from UCLA where she served as the managing editor for the Women’s Law Journal. Ms. Villanueva has served on the board of the Philippine American Bar Association.

21 year old Kevin Vu has been a public speaker since he was 12, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities in education and healthcare, using his ability to speak to get his foot in the door. Once he was in, his mind – the one that doctors and teachers once said had no potential – began some serious work. At16 he was given the opportunity to meet President George W. Bush as a representative for people with disabilities. He attends California State University, Fresno majoring in Communications with a vision to make a difference. He is actively involved in the disability community in his hometown and continues to strive for change across the nation.

Linda Wah, Trustee for the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees, served for over 27 years as an Information Technology manager for the City of Los Angeles. She has also served on numerous boards, including Women@Work and the Cal State Charter College of Education, focusing on fair employment and fair pay issues for women, increasing awareness of Asian Pacific Islander issues, and advocating for educational improvements. She earned her B.S. and MBA from Cal State LA, and has participated in an Early College Entry High School Program with UC Riverside.



Linda Wah, Trustee, Pasadena Community College

Other guests to be confirmed

Moderator:



A. “Employment for Individuals with Disabilities”


This panel will address the questions faced by many people with disabilities seeking employment: What are the employment opportunities and training programs for people with disabilities? How have companies fully employed individuals with disabilities? What are some employment models? How is assistive technology used in the workplace? What are specific Do’s and Don’ts for job interviews? What are employers seeking in their employees these days?

Speakers:

Michele Mar, Employment Specialist, Mentor Group, Harbor Regional Center

Dave Dubinsky, Executive Director, NISH – Ability One

Cassandra Folan, Human Resources, Nordstrom



Brian Tom, President, Founder, Blind Start America and California Educational Center

Arthur M. Kerschner, Jr., Chief, Branch of Child Labor and Special Employment Enforcement, Division of Enforcement Policy Wage and Hour Division, U. S. Department of Labor

Moderator:

Doreen Wong, CEO, Asian Rehabilitation Services

B. “Mental Health: Hope and Recovery”

Co-sponsored by the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association


Recovery from mental illness? What seemed impossible years ago is now possible. Consumers, families, mental health professionals have advocated for the psychosocial rehabilitation of people with mental illness in the 70’s. Through the persistent efforts of these advocacy groups and Assemblymember Daryl Steinberg, the Mental Health Services Act of 2004 now funds recovery-focused services in the California public mental health. A better quality of life for people with mental illness is possible through recovery-focused programs, self-help groups, and new medications with less side effects.

We will share personal stories of recovery which propelled us to become strong advocates of the needs of people with mental illness. We will talk about what was

Biographies


As a community program specialist, Leafa Tuita Taumoepeau serves as a liaison between the Pacific Islander population and the San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Health Disparities and Cultural Competence Unit. She develops health education material in Tongan and other Pacific Islander languages and broadcasts a half-hour monthly radio program on Mental Health/Illness in Tongan. Ms. Taumoepeau also is a noted speaker on Pacific Islander mental health and spiritual issues.

Brian Tom is President and Founder of California Educational Centers, Inc., Blind Start of America, and XTREME Promos. The mission of Blind Start of America, an award winning non-profit organization, is to help blind and visually impaired persons learn and develop job skills for independent living. It is one of the fastest growing non-profit organizations in the country.

Aleyda Toruno is a senior advocate for the San Diego office of Disability Rights California, an organization dedicated to fairness and justice for people with disabilities. She has worked advocating for people with disabilities since 1999, and her area of specialty has been Social Security work incentives for traditionally underserved ethnic and disability communities.

Jonathan Vallin, born with cerebral palsy in 1992, is a freshman at Cal-State Los Angeles. He was very fortunate to attend the Youth Leadership Forum in July 2009 and since then has gotten involved with YO! Disabled and Proud this past summer by volunteering at Southern California Rehabilitation Services, an Independent Living Center located in Downey. He has helped with campaigns that have helped Implement Disability History Week, as well as Taking Actions 4 Accommodations. He also helps community college student file complaints about not receiving proper accommodations despite school budgets.

Biographies


communication development of children with autism spectrum disorders. Her studies include speech and language development of children with autism who have very limited vocal production; intervention outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorders; and the relationship between language and theory of mind in children with high functioning autism.

Hillary Sklar is an attorney with Disability Rights California, where she co-coordinates the Voting Issues Team. Her expertise includes Voting Rights of Individuals with Disabilities, Polling Place Accessibility, Coalition Building with Election Reform and Disability Rights organizations, and Get Out the Vote activities. Hillary also provides public benefits advocacy with specialties in Assistive Technology and In-Home Supportive Services. She serves as faculty for a training and development organization for the public interest legal community, and as Adjunct Faculty in poverty law at Whittier Law School.

Bill Tamayo, EEOC Regional Attorney, directs the EEOC’s San Francisco District with jurisdiction over Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. EEOC enforces the civil rights laws against employment discrimination including Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Prior to the EEOC, he was the Managing Attorney for the Asian Law Caucus, and has authored numerous articles on civil rights, including disability rights. He has served many community organizations, including as vice president of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and is recipient of countless awards, including those from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He received his law degree from UC Davis.



helpful in our recovery and what was not. We will also discuss the challenges we and other consumers and families continue to face. Current recovery-focused services for Asian Pacific Islanders will also be presented.

Speakers:

Young Moon, President, National Alliance for Mentally Ill – Asian Pacific Los Angeles

Marissa Lee, ACHSA, consumer

Moderator:

Elvie Quintos, Director, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program, Asian Pacific Counseling & Treatment Center

C. “Transition to Adulthood”


This panel will discuss the resources, services, programs and benefits available to people with disabilities after high school, and how to access these resources. Hear from counselors and students who are involved with transition programs.

Speakers:


Mark Matsui, Coordinator, Disabled Students Programs and Resources, Long Beach City College




Moderator:

Guy Leemhuis, Board Member, APIDC


A. “Benefits”


Panelists will discuss the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Ticket to Work programs, as well as In-Home Support Services.

Speakers:

Bertha Poole, Benefits Coordinator, Southern California Rehabilitation Services

Aleyda Toruno, Disability Rights California, San Diego Office

Felicita Moges, Benefits Advocate, Disabled Resources Center

Moderator:

Jacqueline Zaragoza, Area Work Incentive Coordinator, Social Security Administration

Biographies


pleased to offer her expertise about recovery programs to support monolingual or limited English-speaking Asian Pacific Islanders.

Siyon Rhee, Ph.D., is a multicultural affairs advocate with a focus on Korean community for the Los Angeles office of Disability Rights California, an organization dedicated to fairness and justice for people with disabilities. Dr. Rhee also has taught theory, practice, and research courses at California State University at Los Angeles’ School of Social Work. Her areas of scholarly interest and concern are health and mental health among immigrant Asians, child welfare, and aging.

Mary Rios is a multicultural affairs advocate for the Los Angeles office of Disability Rights California, an organization dedicated to fairness and justice for people with disabilities. Among its many free services to the community are informing people with disabilities about their many legal, civil and service rights; offering technical assistance and training for Californians with disabilities, their families and representatives; and legislative advocacy to ensure that laws benefit Californians with disabilities.

Richard Louis Rosenberg, Ph.D., is the Vocational and Training Coordinator for Whittier Union High School District’s (WUHSD) Career Connection. His special education administrative position involves the coordination of vocational and career support for all students with special education needs for five high schools and providing technical assistance for adult agency providers. Dr. Rosenberg has been identified as the WUHSD Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year.

HyeKyeung Seung, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an associate professor at the California State University, Fullerton College of Communication. Dr. Seung’s research is focused on the

Biographies


Administration. At three years of age, Mr. Pak's left arm was paralyzed by polio.

Bertha Poole is the Personal Assistance Services Coordinator at Southern California Rehabilitation Services, the Independent Living Center in Downey, educating consumers about the IHSS program: how it works, eligibility requirements, the application process. She also helps people prepare for their Needs Assessment Visit. An IHSS recipient for 15 years, she uses her personal experiences and professional knowledge to increase understanding of the recipient/provider relationship. Ms. Poole believes independent living centers, like IHSS, can be an invaluable tool for empowering persons with disabilities to achieve their personalized goals. She earned her B.A. in Human Development at Cal State Long Beach.

David Quezada is Director of the Los Angeles Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Center, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is a national leader in Section 3 compliance. Known for accurately identifying evidence in civil rights cases, he has helped facilitate recovery of over $23M for housing discrimination victims. He was also Executive Director of the Orange County Fair Housing Council, which won all of the fair housing cases under his leadership. Mr. Quezada holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Pepperdine and a J.D. and B.A. from USC.

Elvie Quintos is a Filipina-American mental health professional. Her passion for recovery comes out of her own experience with her family members who had mental illness. She is part of the team that developed the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program at Asian Pacific Counseling Treatment Centers for the past 10 years. She is



B. “Health Care Reform and Its Impact on the APIAs with Disabilities”


This panel will discuss the impact of the historic Health Care Reform Act on the Asian American and Pacific Islander disability community, explore policies that still need to be addressed and how the Asian American and Pacific Islander disabilities community can be mobilized through advocacy efforts at the ballot box and through the policymaking process.

Speakers:

Dr. D.J. Ida, Executive Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association

Hillary Sklar, Staff Attorney, Disability Rights California, Los Angeles Office

Moderator:

Daphne Kwok, Executive Director, APIDC

C. “Youth Leadership”

Location: Tokyo/Vancouver

Especially for youth and college students with disabilities, this session will discuss the history of disability rights, self-advocacy and opportunities to get involved and become leaders in the disabilities community.



Speakers:

Rosie McDonnell-Horita, Student, Mira Costa College


Jonny Vallin, Student, California State University, Los Angeles

Moderator:

Johnna Cho, Board Member, APIDC

4:45 pm – 5:15 pm Closing Session/Raffle


Resource Fair will be on-going throughout the day in Salon BCD.

Biographies


opportunity to speak about her and other Asian families’ daily struggles with acceptance and dealing with mental illness.

Herbie Ku’ulei North attends Long Beach City College, working towards a special ed degree. His disabilities include right side palsy, hearing loss, and a learning disability caused by bacterial meningitis when he was a year old. He played football at Marina High, received a scholarship for outstanding students who overcome diversity, and was invited back to his high school to speak to students with disabilities. A Youth Leadership Forum alumnus, he has been a YLF counselor, was a Special Olympics assistant coach, is helping to plan a mentoring program for youth with disabilities, and enjoys playing rugby.

Lona Pacheco has been a special education teacher for the last 26 years. She is also the Vocational Specialist at Ocean View High School and provides transition services to 160 special education students focusing on education, employment and independently living skills. For the last 20 years, she has been the Lead Coordinator for the Transition Partnership Program with the Department of Rehabilitation, which provides employment services.

Dongwoo Joseph "Joe" Pak is Vice President and Loan Officer of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach. He also worked as Director of External Affairs for SBC/Pacific Bell, representing the company to city officials and state legislators, community and business leaders. He is a board member of Acacia Adult Day Health Care Service, and has served on the Special Needs Advisory Board for the Orange County Transit Authority, the California State Rehabilitation Council, and the board of the Korean Health Education, Information, and Research Center. He earned his B.A. from USC and holds a Master’s degree in Business

Biographies


the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame. She received her M.A. in Education, chairs the Board of Directors for the World Institute on Disability, and serves on boards of the US Business Leadership Network and the Committee on Disability Power & Pride.

Rosie McDonnell is a 17 year old freshman attending Mira Costa College in Oceanside. Her long term goals are to become a child psychologist and still be involved in the disability community. She is active with YO! Disabled and Proud as a volunteer, working on two campaigns. She is also part of Youth Leadership Forum Alumni 2010.

Falicita Moges has been working as a Benefits Advocate for the last eight years at the Disabled Resources Center in Long Beach. She helps people to apply or appeal for SSI/SSDI benefits and currently holds a 90% rate of success at the hearing level. She speaks four languages and knows sign language as well. Falicita loves what she does at the Disabled Resources Center. She has been married for 38 years, has three grown children, two of whom are hearing impaired, and all graduated from CSULB. Her youngest child just received her Master’s degree in Linguistic Anthropology.

Young Moon is a Korean-American parent and advocate. She and her family were unfamiliar with mental illness until her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. It took some time for her to find mental health professionals who spoke Korean. When she found the Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers (APCTC), she quickly became active in National Alliance on Mental Illness, Asian Pacific, Los Angeles chapter and later became the president in 2008. She is a spokesperson and advocate on behalf of Asian families in hearings and conferences. She is pleased for the

Biographies


Sefa Aina directs the Asian American Resource Center at Pomona College. He formerly worked at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center as a counselor, organizational advisor and instructor. He is a founding member of Pacific Islander Education and Retention, which provides tutoring and mentoring for Pacific Islander youth in Carson, Long Beach and Inglewood. Mr. Aina is also a founding member of the National Pacific Islander Educators Network (NPIEN) and Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC). Mr. Aina is a UCLA graduate, and will be entering a master’s program in Asian American Studies at UCLA.

Jackie Chiang received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University. During law school, Jackie participated in the Special Education Advocacy Clinic and served as the Secretary of Advocates for Public Interest Law. Jackie served as a law clerk at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles in the Asian Pacific Islander Unit, and has also worked for the Neighborhood Legal Services-Los Angeles in the Housing Unit, and at a private law firm representing students and families in special education matters.

Johnna Cho is Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, for Warner Home Video, focusing on legal matters relating to home video and digital distribution in Asia. Prior to joining Warner Home Video, Ms. Cho was an associate for Graham & James (now known as Squire Sanders), and worked on corporate transactions, primarily for the firm’s Japanese clients. She serves as the Executive Sponsor for the Network for Asian Pacific Americans, the affinity group for Asian and Pacific Islander American employees at Warner Bros. She received her B.A. from Wellesley College and her J.D. from UCLA School of Law. Ms. Cho is a boardmember of APIDC.

Biographies


The Honorable Judy Chu has been a member of Congress, representing the 32nd District (including portions of the San Gabriel Valley) since July 2009. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee as well as the Education and Labor Committee.

David Dubinsky is Executive Director of the Pacific West Regional Center of NISH, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to create jobs for people with severe disabilities. He and his team at NISH oversee more than 300 Federal contracts, employing over 6000 people, with an annual value over $240M in the Western U.S., Guam and the Pacific Trust Territories. Mr. Dubinsky, a San Francisco resident, holds a master’s degree in economics from Clemson University. He serves as a boardmember for New Connections, a community based mental health agency in Northern California.

Edwin Duterte is the Chief Executive Officer of TheViralPublicity.com and founder of OneKeyAway.com Mixers and PinkSlipMixers.com. He formerly served as a commercial real estate construction lender at the First Bank of Beverly Hills and Wells Fargo Bank. Prior to that Mr. Duterte was an Assistant Vice President Commercial Real Estate Construction Lender at Chinatrust Bank USA. Earlier in his career, he was an investment analyst associate at Freddie Mac. Mr. Duterte attended Cal State Hayward, where he studied real estate management. He enjoys the martial arts, beach volleyball and making videos of his nephew and niece.

State Assemblymember Mike Eng (49th District) represents Eastern Los Angeles County, and portions of the San Gabriel Valley. He serves on the Education, Health, Housing and Community Development and Transportation Committees.

Biographies


active community member, a source of inspiration in overcoming life’s obstacles.

As an employment specialist, Michele Mar has been assisting people with developmental disabilities find work in the community for more than six years. Michele joined the Mentor Group in February 2009, providing employment services to clients of Harbor Regional Center, located in Torrance. Her primary inspiration, which led to a commitment to the community, is her brother, Dr. Kevin Mar, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy during infancy. Ms. Mar received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from The School of Visual Arts in New York.

Mark Matsui, a member of the APIDC 2010 Conference Honorary Committee, has been the Coordinator of Disabled Students Programs & Services at Long Beach City College since 1991. Prior to that he worked at California State University, Dominguez Hills as the Coordinator of Disabled Student Services and Veterans Affairs. He recently began his term as the President of CAPED – the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability, and has served as President of the Board of Directors of Disabled Resources Center, Inc., a private, non-profit independent living center in Long Beach.

Susan P. Mazrui addresses disability-related public policy issues and serves as liaison with national disability organizations for AT&T Services Inc. A presenter at conferences including Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. and the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators, she has authored articles in consumer publications including Critical Issues in Aging and AccessWorld®, has served on the Federal Communications Commission’s Consumer Advisory Committee, was the 2002 Summit on Leading Diversity Corporate Fellow and inducted into

Biographies


private practice specializing in family law, special education, and disability rights law in Culver City. Mr. Leemhuis is an APIDC boardmember.

As a Chinese-American with a disability (cerebral palsy), Ms. Jean Lin strongly advocates for service providers to maintain consistency in delivery to multi-cultural communities, to foster trust in underserved communities which tend to "fall-into-the-crack." Ms. Lin worked as a Multicultural Affairs Advocate for Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI), working with underserved multi-ethnic communities in disability right issues, particularly equal access to services for minorities with disabilities. She grew up in Berkeley, one block away from the well-respected Center for Independent Living and believes she is the product of the independent living movement. Ms. Lin is a volunteer for APIDC and a passionate advocate for disability rights.

State Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (54th District) represents Long Beach, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Pedro and Catalina Island. She chairs the Committee on Transportation, and serves on the Committees on Aging and Long Term Care, Health and Water, and Accountability and Administrative Review.

Ernest Kevin Mar, M.D., is a Board Certified Disability Analyst/Physiatrist, with a private practice in Integrative and Physical Medicine in Arizona. Born with cerebral palsy, he has been exposed to integrative therapies since the age of one, which diminished the effects of his disability. Author of publications for adults and children (Captain Life Force, Your Body’s Energy), he is a regular guest on the radio show, “Believe”, and addresses audiences on natural and alternative medical therapies to manage health challenges. He holds degrees in medicine, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and integrative medicine. He is an

Biographies


Chai Feldblum was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as a Commissioner of the United States Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC). Prior to her appointment to the EEOC, Ms. Feldblum was a Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center where she had taught since 1991. Ms. Feldblum received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. degree from Barnard College.

Cassandra Folan has experience working in Human Resources and in the non-profit sector. She began her legal career with the Disability Rights Legal Center as the Director of Options and Lawyer Referral Services. Her expertise includes the Americans with Disabilities Act and special education law. Over the last five years she worked at Nordstrom’s in the Human Resources Division, and has since returned to school at San Francisco State University to pursue a Human Resources Management Certificate. She received her undergraduate degree from UC Davis, and her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University.

Jan Garrett is the Program Manager at the Pacific ADA Center-Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), where she provides training and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other disability rights laws. She formerly served as Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley/Oakland, and before that, was an attorney in the disability field, as well as for the U.S. government. She holds a J.D. and Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the University of Oklahoma, and a BA from Scripps College. Ms. Garrett is on the advisory board for APIDC.

Doris Guerrero is a PASS Specialist at the Social Security Administration offices located in Anaheim. PASS stands for a Plan for Achieving Self Support, a Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Biographies


program that helps individuals with disabilities return to work. PASS allows people with disabilities to set aside monies and/or things they own, in order to pay for items or services (i.e., vehicle, wheelchair or computer) needed to achieve specific work goals.

Kim Ha is a vocational rehabilitation counselor. She evaluates applications for eligibility and provides services to assist Californians with disabilities to obtain and retain employment suitable to their individual abilities, capabilities, interests and strengths. One of her liaisons is the Huntington Beach Union High School District, which refers Vietnamese students in their junior year from the Transition Partnership Program (TPP). Ms. Ha’s bilingual Vietnamese abilities are key to working with the Vietnamese students and their parents, and along with Partnership Program staff, she is able to assist students with career exploration, internship, job placement and related transition services, leading to successful and fulfilling employment opportunities.

Chip Hazen, ADA Compliance Administrator for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has been in transportation planning/management for over 35 years. Before MTA, he managed transportation services for the Braille Institute and the Pomona Valley Sheltered Workshop. He was the project manager of what is now called Access Paratransit, and chaired the LA County Transportation Commission’s Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee, where he was instrumental in developing the LA County Transportation Operators Association’s disabled identification card. The card is used by riders for discounts on bus or train.

Jian Hong is currently an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) candidate in the creative nonfiction program at Mills College in Oakland, and earned a B.A. Degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley. A

Biographies


from Wesleyan University where she serves as the first Asian American on the Board of Trustees, and has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Lucianne Latu, San Mateo County Behavioral Health Recovery Services Division, also works for a community based organization Taulama for Tongans. She had osteogenic sarcoma at age 8, with part of her treatment the amputation of her right leg. She went through high school suffering from severe depression, which was not diagnosed until after high school. She still has bouts of severe depression, but lives a normal life through therapy and medication. She provides mental health outreach to the Pacific Islander communities, law enforcement and mental health professionals, and welcomes opportunities to help others have an insight into mental illness.

Marissa Lee is a Chinese America transition-aged youth, and a mental health consumer. A 2008 UCLA graduate, Marissa has addressed a broad audience about mental health, mental illness and transitional age youth. She is the Mental Health Policy Assistant at the Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA) in Los Angeles, serves on the California Mental Health Planning Council and on the steering committee for the California Youth Empowerment Network (CA-YEN), and is co-founder of Racebending.com, a grassroots organization that fights discrimination in the entertainment industry.

Guy Leemhuis was former Multicultural Affairs Director for Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI). He has extensive knowledge of Special Education laws and has conducted hundreds of trainings throughout California on special education law. Mr. Leemhuis is also a cultural diversity and disability lecturer/trainer to many disability organizations. He is a community activist, and is now in

Biographies


June Kuehn is Rehabilitation Administrator II for the Department of Rehabilitation, Orange San Gabriel District, where she developed the Asian Taskforce, comprised of over 40 Asian bilingual Counselors and Supervisors in the Southern Region to work on services for Asian consumers. She has been with the Department of Rehabilitation for 31 years. Ms. Kuehn volunteered for both Asian Rehabilitation Service, Inc. and the Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Center in Los Angeles. She has a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Cal State LA and a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA in Sociology. Ms. Kuehn is an APIDC boardmember.

Jennifer Kumiyama is Ms. Wheelchair California 2010 and the 1st Runner Up Ms. Wheelchair America 2011. Born with Arthrogryposis (AMC), she overcame adversity through a combination of major surgeries and personal determination to become an accomplished singer and actress. Jennifer was the first performer in a wheelchair at a Disney Theme Park production when she was cast in Disney’s Aladdin; A Musical Spectacular. Jennifer also is Chief Editor of Disabled Guides for notanotherguide.com, an online travel guide for visitors with disabilities.

Daphne Kwok is Executive Director of APIDC. She was formerly Executive Director for the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, and the Organization of Chinese Americans. President Obama recently appointed her Chair of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She has served on several boards, including the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center and the Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. She holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies and Music

Biographies


quadriplegic since a 1997 car accident, Ms. Hong has an interest in outreach to people with disabilities and those that lack access to higher education. She published a resource guide for prospective students with disabilities, UC Berkeley’s Transfer Student Handbook: a Guide for New Transfers.

Luke Hseih was born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1975. He completed his master’s degree in history from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Mr. Hseih works as an Assistive Technology Advocate for the Riverside Community Access Center. He is the author of “Unicorn, you taught me how to fly”.

Jon Hope is the Autism Services Manager at San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center, working in partnership with individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and the community, to promote choice, empowerment, independence, and full integration into community life. The center supports and advances the intent and entitlement of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act through assessment, advocacy, service coordination, education, training and prevention services.

D.J. Ida, Ph.D., is Executive Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association based in Denver. Dr. Ida has more than 30 years experience working with Asian American Pacific Islander communities, most notably helping to establish the Asian Pacific Development Center, a specialty mental health clinic in Denver. Dr. Ida received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Colorado.

Tim Jin holds a B.A. in speech communications from Cal State Long Beach, where he worked at the Disabled High Tech Center. He is an educational publisher in Orange County. Assistive technology is a major interest in his professional life. He serves on

Biographies


several committees, including the Department of Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Advisory Committee. He is a strong believer in fitness, and in working out, regardless of one’s limitations. He is a strong advocate for others because he understands what it is like to have a disability. He believes communication is key to achieving one’s goals.

Lillian Kawasaki, a long time Long Beach resident, is Vice President of the Water Replenishment District of Southern California. She represents the cities of Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Lakewood, Long Beach and Signal Hill.

Art Kerschner is Chief, Child Labor and Special Employment Enforcement Branch, National Office of the Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. , with regulatory, enforcement and compliance responsibility for child labor and subminimum wage programs. He serves on national committees, committed to ending oppressive labor and helping workers with disabilities succeed. He was the Department’s lead person and “owned the pen” during the last two major revisions of federal child labor provisions, and is recipient of the DOL Distinguished Career Service Award and the NISH President’s Award.

Minji Kim is a client development instructor for Asian Rehabilitation Services, Inc. in the Personal, Social, and Vocational Adjustment Program, where she develops client abilities and work skills, helps clients overcome cultural differences such as language barriers, and seeks to support integration into surrounding communities. A first generation Korean American, her personal life experiences have taught her about correlations between disabilities and the community. She studied speech-language pathology at Daegu University, South

Biographies


Korea, and received her B.A. in Communication Disorders from Biola University.

Patricia Kinaga has been an employment attorney for nearly 25 years, focusing on complex discrimination and accommodation issues. In addition to handling high stakes litigation, she provides preventive advice and investigation services for public sector and private employers. A former member of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, she has served on the advisory committee for Asian Rehabilitation Service, Inc., and is co-founder of three non-profit agencies serving Asian and Pacific Islanders, including APIDC. She received a B.A. from UCLA, a master’s degree from UC Berkeley, and a JD from Georgetown University.

Sophornia Ko is a volunteer with the Chinese American Disability Living, a non-profit organization founded by two Chinese Americans with disabilities. The organization’s objective is to form a disability oriented web site to assist Chinese people with disabilities worldwide and to provide information on disability living.

Kathy Lim Ko is President/Chief Executive Officer of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), dedicated to policies, programs, and research for improved health and well-being of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Ms. Ko has worked for community-based organizations and public institutions for 30 years, including projects to develop community health clinics. A graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health and Stanford University, she has served on non profit boards including the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, and the Asian Women's Shelter.

2010 APIDC Conference Booklet

Documents

Transcript of 2010 APIDC Conference Booklet