In order to bring you a stellar conference program, we have selected presenters that whose individual lives are as relevant to the Community as the issues they are addressing. The majority of our speakers hold advanced degrees in their field. Their accomplishments precede them and many are recognized nationally and within their state for their ongoing work with people with disabilities. All our speakers have apparent and non-apparent disabilities, work in the disability field or are the sibling or parent of a person with disabilities.

Niamh Anderson, RN
Clinical Educator, Acute Rehabilitation Unit, Northridge Hospital
Ms. Anderson is both a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse and Clinical Educator in the Acute Rehabilitation Unit of Northridge Hospital.  Nurse Anderson will be discussing information and issues relative to skin care, bowel & bladder and hygiene.

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Chad Blake
Corporate Sales Manager, Ability Center
Chad Blake is the Corporate Sales Manager for the Ability Center.   Ability Center is the largest mobility dealer in West with locations in San Diego, Orange County, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson.  As Sales Manager, Chad is responsible for sales in all 6 of the Ability Center's locations. With several years industry experience, Chad is committed to helping individuals with disabilities find the mobility solution that is going to work for the them. 

Workshop:
Comprehensive Vehicle Solutions
Friday, April 9, 2010, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Alex Boudov
Disability Rights Law Center
Alex Boudov is a disability rights attorney specializing in Social Security Disability (SSD/SSI) Benefits.  Over the years, he has represented thousands of clients on appeals of denied claims, and assisted even more with filing successful initial applications for benefits.  Because he has such extensive experience representing disabled clients, he knows how difficult the process, and especially the waiting, can be.  He also knows the importance of securing benefits and the rights of individuals who have been denied claims or having difficulty requesting available benefits, dealing with the local district offices of the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Regional Offices of Hearings and Appeals, and the Appeals Counsel in Falls Church, Virginia.  A graduate of Southwestern University School of Law, Mr. Boudov is an attorney with Disability Rights Law Center.  He can be contacted at www.california-disability.com.  

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Jay Doherty, OTR, ATP
Clinical Education Manager, Pride Mobility Products Corp.
Jay Doherty, OTR, ATP has over 14 years of clinical experience with a heavy focus in seating and positioning. Jay has extensive experience working with clients recovering from progressive neurological disorders and developmental disabilities with a broad spectrum focus that allowed him to work with both adult and pediatric populations.

Workshop:
Pediatric Seating and Positioning: Everything to Consider and More
Friday, April 9, 2010, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Pam Ferris
NCPAD Coordinator/Adaptive Fitness Specialist
Pam Ferris received her B.S. as a Health and Fitness Specialist from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC in 2006. She has been working in the field of health and fitness for 3 years as a personal trainer and currently as the NCPAD Coordinator/Adaptive Fitness Specialist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Pam joined the RIC and NCPAD team in December of 2008 and contributes to the NCPAD team by helping with the production of home exercise videos specifically designed for people with physical disabilities.

Workshop:
Exercise for Anyone with a Disability
Friday, April 9, 2010, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Mayra Fornos
Attorney and Founder, Fornos Law Firm
Mayra Fornos is an 18 year attorney specializing in ADA violations and advocating those who have sustained severe life altering injuries and those discriminated against because of disabilities.  Heavily involved for many years with the Culver City Disability Advisory Committee and many other advocacy groups championing the rights of the disabled, Ms. Fornos and her firm, Fornos Law Firm, work alongside other preeminent trial attorneys in the State, representing clients such as those with serious personal injuries, victims of insurance abuse or bad faith and victims of medical negligence and nursing home abuse, as well as employer misconduct and violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  She was appointed to, and currently serves on, the Board of Governors of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles.  Ms. Fornos also serves as Vice-Chairperson of CAALA’s Government Relations Committee and frequently attends Lobby Day in Sacramento where she represents the interests of injured persons and persons with disabilities.  She is also on the Board of the Civil Justice Program through Loyola Law School and is a Founding Friend of Trial lawyers Charities. Most recently, Ms. Fornos was elected a Governor-At-Large member of the Consumer Attorneys of California.  For more information on Ms. Fornos and the Fornos Law Firm, please see the firm website at http://www.fornoslaw.com.

Beyond the law, Ms. Fornos  spends her time working with non-profit organizations focusing on spinal cord injury. For many years, she has been on the board of WYNGS/PROJECT SUPPORT FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY which helps in rebuilding lives after spinal cord injury.   As part and parcel to her work with WYNGS, she organizes and chairs its annual fashion show benefit and leading fundraiser. Of what she is most proud, however, is having founded RALPH’S RIDERS FOUNDATION. In honor of her husband Ralph who suffered a C5-6 spinal cord injury, and who went on to become an attorney and founding member of Fornos & Associates, RALPH’S RIDERS FOUNDATION, is a 501 ( c)(3) non-profit organization, which inspires and enables individuals with spinal cord injuries to achieve their highest level of independence, health and personal fulfillment.  For more information on RALPH’S RIDERS FOUNDATION, go to http://www.ralphsriders.org.

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Jennifer French, MA
Executive Director, Neurotechnology Network
As a result of a snowboarding accident, Jennifer French became a quadriplegic from a C6-7 incomplete spinal cord injury in 1998. Prior to her injury, she was recreationally active with such sports as canoeing, snowboarding/skiing, sailing, fly fishing, scuba diving/snorkeling and biking.  After her injury, she still participates in all those activities. In November 1999, she received the Implantable Stand & Transfer System provided by the Cleveland FES Center, MetroHealth Medical Center and Veterans Affairs; the first women to receive such a system. Now residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jen is a member of the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team, volunteers at the local sailing center, serves on the Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments for the City of St. Petersburg, is a Florida state trained Peer Mentor for spinal cord injury, and serves on the National Consumer Advisory Board for the SCI Model System Centers. Over the course of her MBA career, Ms. French has helped launch successful divisions in such organizations as Bombardier Capital and PC Connection, Inc. As a user of neurotechnology who has reaped its benefits, she is the co-founder of a non-profit organization, Neurotech Network. The organization’s focus is education of and advocacy for access of neurotechnology for persons with disabilities, their care-givers and health care professionals. She currently serves as the Executive Director. To raise awareness and advocate for access, Neurotech Network has developed educational resources, published through several media outlets and presented to disability groups and related organizations, such as the National Academy of Sciences, the American Physical Therapy Association, and NINDS Neural Interfaces. Most recently, Jennifer’s story was featured in the documentary film, “To Have Courage,” and in the book, “Shattered Nerves.”

Workshop:
Neurotechnology: What Is It and What Are Its Benefits?
Friday, April 9, 2010, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Michelle Haney, PT, MSPT
Director, Euro-Pēds® National Center for Intensive Pediatric PT
Haney has been the Director of Euro-Pēds National Center for Intensive Pediatric PT since 2003 as well as a Licensed Physical Therapist specializing in pediatrics. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Child Development and a Masters of Science in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. Prior to becoming the Director of the program, Michelle worked at Euro-Pēds as a PT and the PT Manager.  As Director, Michelle’s aspirations include motivating insurance company’s to fund this emerging therapy through demonstrated research of its success in reducing healthcare costs later in the affected child’s life.  Haney’s sister, who has severe mental & physical disabilities as a result of meningitis, was her initial inspiration to foster a better way of teaching children with gross motor disorders new skills for greater independence.

Workshop:
Getting Intense: Treating Cerebral Palsy to Maximize Your Child’s Full Potential
Friday, April 9, 2010, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Presented by Daniel Hubbell
Technical Evangelist, Microsoft Corporation
Daniel Hubbell is the technical evangelist for Microsoft's Accessibility Business Unit. His focus is on increasing the awareness of technology based accessibility solutions for consumers and regularly speaks at events and conferences on the topics of Accessible Technology. Mr. Hubbell also oversees the partnership between Microsoft and 3rd party Assistive Technology manufacturers as the manager of Microsoft Accessible Technology Vendor Program. He has been with the Accessibility Business Unit since 2006 and originally joined Microsoft in the year 2000 as a member of the team that developed the online support site for MSN. Mr. Hubbell has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from San Francisco State University.

Workshop:
Accessibility in Windows: Making the Computer Easier to Use
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Stephanie Kaplan, PT, DPT, ATP
Executive Director of Rehabilitation, Casa Colina Hospital for Rehabilitative Medicine
Stephanie Kaplan, PT, DPT, ATP is the Executive Director of Rehabilitation at Casa Colina. She has been practicing Physical Therapy for 10 years with a focus on spinal cord injury, stroke and seating/positioning. She is the co-director of the Physical Therapy Residency Programs in Neurology and Orthopedics and oversees the clinical pathways for stroke, brain injury and spinal cord injury used at Casa Colina. She has held numerous elected positions within the APTA, CPTA and AMRPA and most recently completed two terms on the Board of Directors for CPTA.

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Gary Karp
Internationally Recognized Public Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Facilitator, Author and Journalist, Author of Disability & The Art of Kissing
Gary Karp has been living - fully - with a T12 spinal cord injury since 1973 when he was injured in a fall from a tree at the age of eighteen. Since his injury, Gary has earned a graduate degree in architecture, worked for eleven years in the presentation graphics industry as a designer and production manager, then began providing ergonomics training and consultation services to companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the author of three books - all widely reviewed as definitive guides for people with disabilities: Life On Wheels: For the Active Wheelchair User, Choosing A Wheelchair: A Guide For Optimal Independence, and Disability & the Art of Kissing. For his unique and extensive contributions to disability awareness, in 2007 Gary was inducted into the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame as a disability educator. A very highly-regarded speaker, Gary is sponsored in part by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, which funds his speaking in rehabilitation settings and to university students of physical and occupational therapy. Also an accomplished musician and juggler, he has produced a CD of original guitar music and brings his juggling skills to bear in his appearances as a speaker and in his training.

Workshop:
Sex on Wheels - Disability & the Art of Kissing
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Debra Kerper
Easy Access Travel
Debra Kerper received her travel training at Coastline Community College where she was the recipient of the TATE AWARD for outstanding academic performance and goals in the travel industry.  Her desire to pursue a career in Travel for the Disabled came from her personal experience as a physically challenged traveler.  Debra has been living with Lupus since the age of 20, spent six years full time in a wheelchair as the result of a bone infection in her legs and became a below knee amputee at the age of 29.  She has undergone over 30 surgeries and has spent much time using a wheelchair as well as enjoying long periods of good health and short distance walking.  She has a very keen understanding of medical ailments and disabling conditions resulting from excessive time spent in hospitals and outpatient rehab facilities.  Debra travels extensively with a wheelchair and/or a scooter and has learned how to MINIMIZE THE FRUSTRATIONS while MAXIMIZING THE ENJOYMENT of visiting new and exciting destinations.  She has visited more than 30 countries and has been on over 75 cruises.  She is able to share her knowledge and expertise with other disabled persons as well as those who simply want to travel at a more leisurely pace.  She possesses very strong interpersonal skills and a love of helping people.

Workshop:
Travel Made Easy: Tips for People with Disabilities
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Madonna Long
Government Affairs Team, Pride Mobility Products
Paralyzed as the result of a school bus accident in 1981, Madonna went on to raise a family, serve as a national advocate for disability rights, and obtained a degree in homeland security. As an advocate, she currently works in conjunction with Pride’s Government Affairs Team on Capitol Hill, and speaks on behalf of those with disabilities.

Workshop:
Our Future at Stake: Understanding the Impact of Proposed 2010 Disability-Related Legislation
Friday, April 9, 2010, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Kathleen Loyer
Attorney
Kathleen Loyer is a solo practitioner with many years experience in advocating on behalf of children in the arena of public education.  Her practice focused in the areas of Special Education (the Individuals with Disabilities Act [IDEA]), General Education, Civil Rights and Disability Law.  She also assists families in accessing services for children with disabilities.  Many of her clients have disabilities that range from mild learning disabilities (LD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), to the severely emotionally and/or physically disabled.  

Ms. Loyer has authorized a parent handbook on special education and acted as a volunteer educational advocate in Massachusetts before relocating to California.  Since arriving in California, Ms. Loyer has acted as a parent representative to the California Association of Private Special Education & Services (CAPSES) Board of Directors and in 1992 was appointed to the California Department of Education Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Advisory Board.  She founded Partners in Education, an educational collaborative that focused on the early identification and intervention of children with special needs.  Ms. Loyer has also conducted teaching seminars on “Effective Communication Skills”, “Understanding ADD, A Mother’s Point of View”, “Parents Rights & Responsibilities in Accessing Special Education Services for their Child”, as well as consulting with other attorneys in the area of Education Law.  She is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Alex Foundation for Traumatic Brain Injury and a former member of the Professional Advisory Board for the Alex Center, a non-public school and residential facility for children with traumatic brain injury.  In August 2003, Ms. Loyer was instrumental in establishing the Tustin Center for Traumatic Brain (“SeaStar”).  She has also sat on the advisory board for the Whittier Law School Children’s Law Center.  She is a frequent speaker to educationally related parent support groups and community outreach efforts.   Kathleen Loyer can be contacted at atty@education-law.com.

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Wendy McPherson
Organic Gardener and Horticulturalist
Wendy McPherson grew up on a grape-growing ranch in the Napa Valley, where she worked side-by-side with her father growing wine grapes. She has been a gardener/horticulturalist all her life, and has always grown her own vegetables and fruit. She has been using organic gardening methods for 10 years, and is committed to the health and environmental issues it addresses. Her expertise includes techniques in composting, vermicomposting (worm composting), container gardening and gardening in small spaces, and how to use everyday products from the kitchen or medicine cabinet to create inexpensive and earth-friendly pest controls.

Event:
Adaptive Vegetable Gardening
Friday, April 9, 2010, 1:00pm - 1:30pm

Judy Nahman-Stouffer
Empower Tech
Ms. Nahman-Stouffer is an expert in the area of teaching assistive technology.  She has been with EmpowerTech since 2005. Her background and primary focus has been on working with special needs children in pre-school through high school. In addition, she currently provides instruction to older adults on learning assistive technology and provides community education. Judy holds a California Clear Teaching Credential with Cross-cultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD®) Certification and her Master in Technology Education

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Michele Ohmes & Maddie
Owner, Michele & Associates
Michele with her service dog Maddie are the delightful “M&M” team. Humor with common sense solutions makes Michele a highly requested speaker throughout the country. As the author of a manual for public/commercial buildings for accessibility, Michele also trains on Home Modifications to students and rehab therapist and as a volunteer speaker for AARP.

Workshop:
Home Modifications - Keep It Simple and Straightfoward (KISS)
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Kathryn San Martino, PT, ATP, NCS, CLT
Clinical Coordinator and Physical Therapist, Casa Colina Hospital for Rehabilitative Medicine
Ms. San Martino is Clinical Coordinator and Physical Therapist with Casa Colina Hospital for Rehabilitative Medicine.  As part of her duties, Ms. San Martino oversees lymphedema and edema management, including decongestive therapy, as well as providing skilled therapy to patients with various orthopaedic and lymphedema impairments, neurological disorders and amputations.   She is a certified Neuro Specialist by the American Physical Therapy Association, certified Assistive Technology Practitioner by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) and certified Decongestive Therapist in Lymphedema Management by the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy. 

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Mark E. Smith, MA
Consumer Research Manager, Pride Mobility Products
Born with cerebral palsy, Mark is Consumer Research Manager for Pride Mobility Products, Founder and Editor of WheelchairJunkie.com, author of 4 books, columnist for New Mobility, and a professional speaker, known as a foremost leader within the disability community.

Workshop:
Our Future at Stake: Understanding the Impact of Proposed 2010 Disability-Related Legislation
Friday, April 9, 2010
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Cynthia Pacheco
Financial Services Professional and Special Care Planner, Michel Financial Group/Mass Mutual
Cynthia L. Pacheco is a Financial Services Professional and Special Care Planner for Michel Financial Group, a Los Angeles, CA based agency of Mass Mutual Financial Group. With a specialty working with families with special needs, Cynthia's practice extends far beyond traditional insurance, investment and estate planning to address the unique issues these families face. Cynthia's blend of technical knowledge and personal experience makes her specially equipped to design the right solutions from simple to sophisticated.

Workshop:
Financial Strategies for Families with Special Needs
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Allan Sosin, MD
Founder and Medical Director, Institute for Progressive Medicine
Allan Sosin is the founder and medical director of the Institute for Progressive Medicine. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School and is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology, the study of kidney disease. For 13 years Dr. Sosin ran a private internal medicine practice in Philadelphia. During that time he became increasingly interested in alternative approaches to medical problems including nutrition, vitamin and mineral therapies, chelation therapy, acupuncture, natural hormone replacement therapy, exercise and stress management, chiropractic and massage. He also held the position of Assistant Medical Director of a world-renowned facility for the treatment of brain injured children. Dr. Sosin is an expert in the use of natural approaches to replace drugs and surgery. He has over 40 years of clinical experience in treating patients with traditional therapies and 15 years experience using alternative methods in combination with conventional medicine. He is a member of the American College for the Advancement of Medicine (ACAM) and is a certified Defeat Autism Now! physician. Dr. Sosin has also worked extensively with IV therapy, acupuncture, and natural hormone replacement therapy. He has successfully treated thousands of patients with serious medical conditions. Dr. Sosin is the author of two books, Alpha Lipoic Acid: Nature's Ultimate Antioxidant, and The Doctor's Guide to Diabetes and Your Child, and has appeared on both radio and television.

Workshop:
Integrative Nutrition and Alternative Approaches to Drugs
Saturday, April 10, 2010, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Greg Thompson
Executive Director, Personal Assistance Services Counsel of Los Angeles
Knowledgeable about consumer-directed in-home services, and committed to improving the quality and accessibility of services for IHSS recipients, he works to enhance the IHSS Program and consumer-oriented initiatives, including developing programs that prevent gaps in service that result from the consumers’ inability to find a provider when they first qualify for services or providing replacement providers and in-home help to assure a safe and effective transition from a hospital or nursing facility to home care.

As former Chief of Social Work for Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Mr. Thompson planned, organized and directed the social services for patients and their families, as well as developed social work protocols, policies, and procedures for the social work staff.   Given his deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living with a disability, he is Co-Founder of The Rancho KnowBarriers Life Coaching Program where he continues to function as Executive Director, providing leadership in the planning and development of a variety of programs designed to teach people living with a disability critical life skills.

Mr. Thompson has over 10 years experience as a Recreation Therapist where he taught leisure actives and wheelchair sports to individuals with newly acquired Spinal Cord Injuries. He was also an accomplished wheelchair athlete competing in Quad Rugby, Tennis, Marathons, and Track and Field.   The recipient of many awards for his work,  including The California Governor’s Committee on Employment of Disabled Persons, Employee of The Year and Rancho’s highest honor, The Amistad Award, Mr. Thompson is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with a disability by empowering them to return to work and full community reintegration.  He is also passionate about developing programs focused on helping to prevent youth violence a leading cause of spinal cord injury.  Mr. Thompson also serves on the Board of Ralph’s Riders Foundation and is active in his work as a “Rider” offering peer counseling to those in need.  For more information, contact Mr. Thompson at www.pascla.org.

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Gary Quist, PT
Northridge Hospital
Mr. Quist is a licensed physical therapist with Northridge Hospital specializing in rehabilitation and care for those wheelchair bound.  Mr. Quist will be discussing a variety of topics including exercise to maintain health and wellness and proper seating positioning.

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm

Workshop
Ask the Experts
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 3:30pm-4:30pm