On October 23, 2009, in recognition of Disability HistoryWeek, (Oct. 18th - 24th, 2009), advocates with disabilities will be holding an event at Canisius College.

The location for the celebration is the Richard E. Winter Student Center (on the 2nd floor) and the time is from 9:30am - 2:30pm. The theme for our event is entitled: "I Am a Person".

Assemblyman Mark Schroeder will be speaking at the opening ceremonies at 10 a.m.

The theme of the event is based around the truth that people with disabilities are people first. As many have said, "I am a person first, I have a name!" The focus is to remove labels and focus on individuality.

The purpose of this event is to educate the general public about people with visible and invisible disabilities, people first language, and disability history. The event will publicize Disability History Week and bring awareness of resources for teaching disability awareness in schools.

Among the activities of the day will be: a panel discussion with local disability leaders, a workshop on getting involved as a citizen, a historical film discussion with the Museum of disAbility History, and a poetry jam hosted by artists from the Starlight Art Gallery. Information tables with materials from local disability awareness providers, a disability history display, and school curriculum will be available. Participants will be invited to shred the negative labels that have been used to define them in a fun demonstration. The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by FREEDOM, Innovative Voice, and LEADERS Self Advocacy Groups, the Self Advocacy Association of NYS, WNY Independent Living Center, Mental Health Peer Connection, and People Inc.

Contact: Richard Marino, AmeriCorps Member, 517.3598 or Kevin Horrigan, People Inc., 866.5893.