NCD to discuss employment, health care and seclusion issues affecting the disabled

The National Council on Disability (NCD) will hear presentations and discuss employment, health care, and restraint and seclusion issues affecting people with disabilities during its quarterly meeting at the Holiday Inn Express, 920 Broadway, Nashville, TN, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2009, and concludes at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. This meeting is open to the public.

The employment session will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from 9:15 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Speakers include:

Andrea Cooper, Assistant Commissioner, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Tennessee Department of Human Services, Nashville, TN

Lillian Burch, Executive Director, DisABILITY Resource Center, Knoxville, TN

Carol Westlake, Executive Director, Tennessee Disability Coalition, Nashville, TN

A discussion on seclusion and restraint will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from 10:45 a.m. until noon. Speakers include:

Holly Lu Conant Rees, Education Advocate, ARC of Davidson County, Nashville, TN

Steven Glowicki, Family Educator, STEP (Support and Training for Exceptional Parents) Inc., Nashville, TN

A presentation on health care for people with disabilities will be held on Tuesday, October 27 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:15 p.m. The presenter will be:

Tony Garr, Tennessee Health Care Campaign, Nashville, TN

NCD will also host a reception at the hotel for meeting participants, audience members, and stakeholders from the disability community on Tuesday, October 27 from noon until 2:00 p.m. Additional details about the meeting are available at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/quarterly/quarterly.htm. Written comments for Council consideration can be submitted at any time by writing to [email protected].

Specific times are also designated to receive public comment, supported by a toll-free call-in line, and input is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Individuals or organizations can also provide written comments by e-mail, fax, or mail. A public comment session will be held on Monday, October 26 from 4:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. CST.