A Public Affair: Living with Disabilities

People with disabilities are a significant part of our society and community, yet as a group they have been marginalized through discrimination, misunderstanding, isolation, pity and poverty. In the 20-plus years since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities, Independent Living Centers have been working hard to shift the prominent practice of dependency – turning over the care, personal decisions and lifestyle of people with disabilities to institutions and managing care providers. But there is still a long way to go to ensure that people with disabilities play an active role in our societies.

This morning Veronica Balderas Iglesias hosts a panel discussion that will shed light on the challenges that blind people face in Colorado. Today’s panelists are Mary Ann Migliorelli President of the National Federation of the Blind Boulder Valley Chapter, Beth Gustin, Program Manager at the Center for People with Disabilities, David Dawson, the Executive Director of the Audio Information Network of Colorado and Richele Pennock a rehabilitation counselor for Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

A Public Affair: Living with Disabilities kgnu

From left to right:
1) Beth Gustin / Program Manager at the Center for People with Disabilities.
2) Richele Pennock/Rehabilitation counselor for Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
3) Mary Ann Migliorelli/President of the National Federation of the Blind Boulder Valley Chapter.
4) David Dawson is the Executive Director & Founder of the Audio Information Network of Colorado

Back Row:
Mary Ann Migliorelli/President of the National Federation of the Blind Boulder Valley Chapter.
David Dawson is the Executive Director & Founder of the Audio Information Network of Colorado
Front row left to right:
Veronica Balderas Iglesias/KGNU Host
Maeve Conran/KGNU News Director