Statewide Independent LivingCouncil of Illinois
Statewide Independent Living
The 9th Annual Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit began on Monday, July 23, 2007 at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). 23 youth participants from all over Illinois arrived at Lincoln Residence Hall where they were briefed in the workings of the dorm facility and directed to their home for the next three days.
The Opening Luncheon began at 12:00 noon. Many of the Summit sponsors where invited to join us for lunch. Seated at the head table were sponsors Ann Ford of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, Wilhelmina Gunther of the Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Brendt Ramsey, Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, Phil Locascio representing DHS, Division of Rehabilitation Services and Gerard Broeker. The keynote address was given by Illinois native John Foppe. Born without arms, John Foppe has had to break down and re-engineer every aspect of day-to-day life. He learned that the inability to do something didn’t rest on the lack of resources or vision. Instead, it has more to do with one’s subconscious perception to meeting a challenge head on. John gave words of encouragement to the participants and mentors. It was a great start to the leadership summit.
Following the luncheon and speech by Mr. Foppe, the youth participants gathered for their first workshop. Presenters Barbara Pritchard, Lester Pritchard and Jennifer Knapp gave a history of the disability rights movement and ideas for organizing events such as rallies and marches.
Keynote Speaker John Foppe and youth participant Jason Nosbaum from Woodstock Illinois
Several more workshops were offered Monday afternoon including “The Fantastic Four” ADA, IL Accessibility Code, Section 504 and IDEA” presented by the staff of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois. This workshop discussed disability laws and how they pertain to you. “Getting the Most Bang from VR, Support Services and College” was presented by Richard Parrish and Valerie Brew-Parrish. Rick and Valerie helped the participants understand all the resources and services that are available to them as they transition from high school into the workforce or college.
Monday evening came to a close with a pizza dinner and a movie. Two films were shown giving everyone the option of what they wanted to do Monday evening. Some youth decided to visit and get to know each other in the lobby while others watched Happy Feet in the Great Room or The Ringer in the lounge.
Tuesday, July 24 was the start of a very long day for everyone. The morning workshop included “How a Bill Becomes a Law” presented by Gerard Broeker and Susy Woods. Participants were divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate. They discussed how a bill is introduced and all the steps that bills go through before becoming law. After electing a Senate President and a Speaker of the House the debates began. There was discussion on what type of bill to draft with much of the debate centering on accommodations provided by the residence hall at UIS. Ultimately, the participants decided to forward a bill to Kerry Jennings, the “governor,” which stated that SILC and the participants will work with UIS to hopefully improve disability accommodations in the new residence hall which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. This is a great law that will benefit both Summit participants and UIS students with disabilities.
Other workshops offered Tuesday afternoon included “Advocating, Empowerment and Maintaining Independence”, “Breaking the Chains”, “Maintaining Your Own Health Care” and “Adapted Sports and Recreation”.
Tuesday ended with dinner and the dance. DJ Bob Rutter kept everyone dancing and laughing as the night wound down. I think everyone slept well Tuesday night.
Wednesday finally arrive. Thought many of us were sad to see the conference come to an end, fatigue was starting to set in. Following breakfast youth participants and mentors gather to hear Sara Bianco from Equip for Equality present on self-advocating.
A nice luncheon was prepared in the lobby for everyone, including some parents who arrived early to join us for the awards banquet and prize giveaways.
Three awards were given to youth participants and one to a mentor. The mentors selected the recipients for the Justin Dart Jr. Lead On Award and the Ed Roberts Independence Award. Youth participants nominated a fellow participant to receive the Peer Advisor Award.
This year’s recipient of the Justin Dart Jr. Lead On Award was presented to Ben Swiggett of Diamond, Illinois. Last year’s winner David Gayes presented Ben with this award for demonstrating the strength of character and leadership potential worthy of this award’s namesake. Justin Dart is widely regarded as one of the most pivotal leaders of the disability rights movement, and is frequently referred to as the father of the Americans with Disabilities Rights Act. Ben’s leadership qualities did not go unnoticed by the mentors and it was an honor to present this award to him.
The Ed Roberts Independence Award honors a youth who strives to become an independent young adult in the tradition of this award’s namesake, Ed Roberts. Ed was widely regarded as the father of the Independent Living Movement and during his lifetime knocked down countless barriers to education and community living faced by people with disabilities. The recipient of this award is Kristin Mobley of Oak Park, Illinois. Kristin has embraced and applied the independent living philosophy to her own life by moving hundreds of miles from home to attend the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Mentor, Beth Davis presented the Peer Advisor Award. Youth participants nominated several of their peers to receive the Peer Advisor Award. Though there were several nominations one stood out among the rest. Virgil May of Chicago was honored as an individual who is always supportive and encouraging towards his peers. Virgil was recognized by his peers as being friendly and helpful and ready to assist with any task.
The Marlin Thomas Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has dedicated much time and energy to mentoring the young leaders of the independent living movement. The award recipient should be someone who has spent countless hours advising, counseling and teaching self advocacy skills to young adults. In the spirit of the award’s namesake, Marlin Thomas, the recipient should embody the standards of dedication and commitment set forth by Marlin during his time as a mentor at the Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit.
The Marlin Thomas Mentor of the Year Award was presented by Marlin’s mother Cynthia Webb, Terri Finn, and last year’s recipient Richard Hunt. Ms. Webb read one of Marlin’s poems which was the perfect way for participants to get to know Marlin and his strong voice for advocacy. Terri talked about her friendship with Marlin and her respect for him as an advocate and mentor. Richard presented Hershel Jackson with the Mentor of the Year Award. Hershel is an independent living specialist for the deaf and hard of hearing at the Illinois Iowa Center for Independent Living in Rock Island. He has been acting as a mentor at the Youth Summit for several years and has a great camaraderie with the youth participants. It was an honor to present Hershel with the Mentor of the Year Award.
Congratulations to all the award winners, Ben, Kristin, Virgil and Hershel for leading by example and encouraging us all to do the same!
Finally, what everyone had been waiting for, prize giveaways. Everyone won a door prize from our generous donations from local businesses. Three cash prizes were drawn. $25.00 was won by Nikki Jones of Chicago, $50.00 went to Anna Gouker of Byron and the $100.00 cash prize was won by Steven Jarzen of Jacksonville. Congratulations to all the winners!
One last task stood between the final curtain call of the Summit. A group picture. Not an easy task with so many wheelchairs, service dogs, walkers etc.; however, we managed to circle around the beautiful fountain at the University and get a picture of all the graduates of the 2007 Illinois Youth with Disabilities Leadership Summit.
Class of 2007 Youth Summit and Their Mentors at UIS
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