2008 Texas Statewide Independent Living Conference

T X S I L CSPONSORED BY:

Region VI Community Rehabilitation Program-Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program, (CRP-RCEP), University of North Texas

Thank you for making this a smoke-free, scent-free event!

Houston Center for Independent LivingThe Texas State Independent Living Council

2008Texas StatewideIndependent LivingConference

Mapping YourRoute to WellnessProactive Tools for RemainingPhysically, Mentally, and Emotionally Fit

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T X S I L CThe State Independent Living Council

P.O. Box 9879Austin, Texas 78766

512-371-7353email: [email protected]

www.texsilc.org

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Welcome fromConference Chair…

Dear Participant:

I am glad that you have chosen to take part in the 2008 Texas StatewideIndependent Living conference. I believe that you will find that the next two dayswill be time well spent. In addition to the informative presentations that you willhave an opportunity to attend, you will be able to visit numerous exhibits, cele-brate the outstanding accomplishments of award recipients, and network withother people who are engaged in the Independent Living Movement.

Conference materials are available in alternate formats and both sign languageinterpretation and CART services have been arranged. A roving personal assistantwill be present during the daily activities to aid attendees. Continuing EducationUnits will be issued for rehabilitation counselors interested in this benefit. Pleaselet us know if you require any additional accommodations.

In order to gauge the success of this conference and to more effectively plan forfuture events, it would be most helpful if you would complete the evaluation formprovided in your packet. We are interested in your comments regarding all aspectsof the conference and your suggestions for improvement.

This year, the conference theme is: Mapping Your Route toWellness. Our goal isto provide you with knowledge and tools that will be useful in maintaining yourown physical, mental, and emotional well-being and in helping others to do thesame. Conference topics have been carefully chosen to address some of the mostpressing concerns common to people with disabilities. As you listen and learn, Ihope you will consider sharing some of your own knowledge and experiences.

Thank you for joining us.With warmest regards,

Marcia IngramEvent ChairTexas SILC

BE SURETOVISIT THE CONFERENCE EXHIBITSExhibits will be available both days of the conference and will

be located in the Regency Foyer on the second floor.

THANK YOUfor Attending the

2008Texas Statewide

Independent LivingConference!

ANNUAL INDEPENDENTLIVING CONFERENCE

OF TEXASMARCH 3-4, 2008

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Conference AgendaMONDAY, MARCH 3

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration Regency Foyer

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening Session Regency Ballroom, 2nd Floor

Welcome –Michelle Colvard, Executive DirectorHouston Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

Keynote Address – Lex Frieden, Senior Vice President,Memorial Hermann|TIRR Hospital(The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research)

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions Arboretum 1-2

Research PromotingWellness AmongWomenWithDisabilities

The Center for Research onWomen with Disabilities(CROWD) has, for the past 15 years, been examiningmany neglected health issues for women with disabili-ties. This session will review findings of their studies,most of which were conducted in collaboration withcenters for independent living around the country, aswell as materials available in their current health pro-motion campaign for women with disabilities.

Presenter: Dr. Peg Nosek, Executive Director, CROWD

Breakout Sessions Arboretum 4-5

Using the Medicaid Buy-in Programto Ensure Health Care CoverageWhileWorking

This session will explain how a new option will benefitpeople with disabilities who want to work and need tomaintain their Medicaid coverage. The Medicaid Buy-Inprogram allows people of any age who have a disabilityand are working to receive Medicaid by paying amonthly premium that is based on earned andunearned income.

Presenter: Elizabeth Gregowicz, Texas MedicaidInfrastructure Grant Administrator, DARS, Center forPolicy and Innovation

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About the Conference Sponsors– A technical assistance and training program for Louisiana Rehabilitation Servicesand Office of Mental Health that furthered the understanding of SupportedEmployment as an evidence-based practice and conceptualized implementationat the local level. This effort articulated the importance of collaboration and theroles played by the MH clinician, VR, family, employment professional and othersupports.

– Development of a Dual Customer Marketing approach that recognizes both busi-ness and the consumer as customers in the employment process, piloted as a two-day interactive training, conducted at the request of DARS, Division of BlindServices.

– A 3-year project in conjunction with The Rehabilitation Research Initiativehoused at the University of Texas Pan-American in Edinburg, to study the under-utilization by Hispanic-Americans of rehabilitation services. This collaborationresulted in the development of several products including an online DiversityToolkit and a monograph, Increasing Capacity of CRPs to Serve HispanicIndividuals, available through the Region VI CRP-RCEP website.

RegionVI CRP-RCEP – University of North Texas

PO Box 311456

Denton,TX 76203-1456

Phone/TTY (940) 565-4000

Fax (940) 369-8525

www.crp.unt.edu

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Conference Agenda11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions Arboretum 1-2

Recreation Through Sports and Exercise for Peoplewith Disabilities

This session will focus on the importance of recreationand exercise for people with physical disabilities. Someof the obstacles to participation, real and perceived, willbe identified and adaptive exercise techniques will beintroduced. Examples of circuit training, interval train-ing, and strongman type exercise and training will bepresented.

Presenter: Peggy Turner, Division Manager, AdaptiveRecreation, Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Chuck French, Adaptive Recreation Facility Manager,Houston Parks and Recreation Department


Recovery Oriented, Consumer Driven Services inMental Health

The workshop presenter will discuss best approaches inmental health treatment with an emphasis onstrengths-based practice and principles as well as col-laborative decision making for medication use.

Presenter: Melody Riefer, Project Manager, the SharedDecision Making project, University of Kansas, School ofSocialWelfare

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch onYour Own

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. General Session Regency Ballroom, 2nd Floor

Laughter,The Best Medicine

Presenter/Facilitator: Helen Kutz, Certified LaughterLeader



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About the Conference Sponsorscommunity leadership led to the selection of the first person with a disability tobecome a member of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) Board. HCILrecently obtained 75 Housing Choice vouchers from the Houston Housing Authority,so that nursing home residents could relocate to affordable, accessible housing andconcurrently operates a HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance contract with theTexas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

HCIL has additional branch offices in Brazoria County (BCCIL) and Fort Bend(FBCIL). The Houston CIL is a proud member of the Texas Association of Centers forIndependent Living (TACIL).

REGIONVI COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAM-REHABILITATION CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM

Located at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, the Region VI CRP-RCEP isthe premier training and consultancy group for community rehabilitation programs(CRPs) seeking to enhance employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.The CRP-RCEP conducts training, hosts conferences, and provides technical assis-tance to community rehabilitation programs in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico,Oklahoma & Texas.

Frequently the Region VI CRP-RCEP partners with universities, vocational rehabilita-tion agencies and other stakeholders to create, pilot, test and ultimately develop newtraining programs based on the needs of specific communities. Some recent collabo-rations include:

– A Leadership Project, piloted in Texas, designed to facilitate strong collaborationbetween CRPs and VR counselors, while enhancing knowledge and understandingof the VR process at national, state and local levels. This was accomplishedthrough a variety of strategies, including shadowing, technical assistance, and acomprehensive educational tool. End goals included the successful design andimplementation of an Employment project in the CRP/VR partners’ local area thatenhanced positive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

– Providing technical assistance including facilitating the development of anEmployment Services Plan for a model supported employment project and a two-day training program on Mental Health & Employment, conducted at the requestof the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). This collabora-tive effort brought together numerous stakeholders, including consumers, VR,MH, clinicians and educators.

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About the Conference SponsorsOperation:The council meets a minimum of four times per year at various locations through-out the state. The SILC maintains offices at 5555 North Lamar Blvd., Building K,Suite 103 in Austin. Regina Blye is the organization’s executive director. Ms. Blyecan be reached at:

(512) 371-7353 (voice/TDD)

(512) 371-7370 (fax)

[email protected] (E-mail)

HOUSTON CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (HCIL)

Founded in 1979, Houston Center for Independent Living was the first CIL in Texas.HCIL welcomes the 9th Annual Texas State Independent Living Council Conference toHouston.

The Houston Center for Independent Living has a long history of disability advocacyand makes every effort towards meeting its mission to “…promote the full inclusion,equal opportunity, and participation of persons with disabilities in every aspect ofcommunity life.”

Center core services include peer counseling, individual and systems advocacy, infor-mation and referral, and independent living skills training. HCIL also operates variousprograms to enhance core services to the many consumers served by the organiza-tion. Programs such as the Computer Access Training Project (CATP) to make sureconsumers are provided technical training on the latest computer and softwareadvances for people with disabilities. HCIL operates the Gulf CoastWork IncentivesPlanning and Assistance (WIPA) project which assists SSI/SSDI recipients who wantto go to, or return to, work. The HCIL Houston/Gulf Coast Region Home By ChoiceRelocation Services project has, since January 2007, successfully relocated 144 con-sumers out of nursing homes and into community-based living arrangements. HCILprovides Outreach and Assistance technical information on the various state benefitprograms available to consumers living in the Houston/Gulf Coast Counties. TheCenter implemented the “Increased Access for Quality Health Care for People withDisabilities” workshop series for several local area hospitals where ADA technicalassistance and the importance of consumer choice and self-direction were instructed.

The Houston CIL has received state and national awards for disability advocacy activi-ties. The center’s record includes successful efforts to assure that the fixed route bussystem and the light rail system are completely accessible to all people with disabili-ties. HCIL hosted the first two televised Houston Mayoral Candidate Forums forPeople with Disabilities, attended by more than 1200 consumers. The organization’s



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Conference Agenda3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions Arboretum 1-2

Consumer-Directed Personal Assistant Services and theService Responsibility Option

This session will update participants about theDepartment of Aging and Disability Services’ optionsfor self-direction: the Consumer Directed Services(CDS) option and the Service Responsibility Option(SRO). The session will also cover the identified barriersto the use of consumer direction and how Centers forIndependent Living can play an important role inaddressing some of these obstacles.

Presenter: Elizabeth Jones, Department of Aging andDisability Services, (DADS)

The Artistic Self Arboretum 4-5

Artistic expression is an important component of well-ness. This session will allow participants to explore theirown creativity through hands on use of art tools and willdiscuss how artists with disabilities might become self-supporting using Social Security incentives.

Presenters: April Sullivan, ArtWorks Director,VSA Arts ofTexas, Maria Teresa Aguirre, Artist Mentor,VSA arts ofTexas, Daniel Scarborough, Executive Director, NationalPASS Network

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Conference AgendaTUESDAY,MARCH 4

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. General Session Regency Ballroom, 2nd Floor

Becoming A Savvy Healthcare Consumer

Presenter: Brenda Premo, Founding Director, Center onDisability Issues and the Health Professions,WesternUniversity

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions Arboretum 1-2

Practical Nutrition for Everyday Living

This session will provide practical application of theprinciples of good nutrition for everyday living on abudget. Additional topics will include dietary supple-ments, health fraud and being a good consumer in aconsumer unfriendly world.

Presenter: Dr. Roberta Anding, Instructor, Pediatrics,Section of Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine,Baylor College of Medicine


This session will explore the importance of inner peaceand of finding meaning and purpose in one’s life.

Presenter: Melody Riefer, Disability Trainer andConsultant

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions Arboretum 1-2

MaximizingWellness ThroughAssistive Technology

In this session, presenters will provide hands-ondemonstrations of various types of assistive technologyand discuss latest innovations in the field. Issues suchas ease of use, durability, frequency of upgrades, andcost effectiveness will also be covered. In addition, pre-senters will discuss programs for acquiring neededassistive technology including provisions of Rider 30.

Presenters – Richard Hopkins, Program Specialist, DARS,Michael Ritter, Rehab Technology Information Specialist,DARS



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About the Conference SponsorsTEXAS STATE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL (SILC)

History:In 1992, the federal Rehabilitation Act was amended to authorize the formation ofconsumer-directed independent living councils in all states for the purpose ofplanning, monitoring, and evaluating the provision of independent living services.Members of the SILC are appointed by the governor and serve on a voluntarybasis. The council works in collaboration with the Department of Assistive andRehabilitative Services and the Texas Association of Centers for IndependentLiving to develop a three-year State Independent Living Plan.

Mission:The mission of the State Independent Living Council is to assure that all Texanswith disabilities have access to quality independent living services. The SILCupholds the principles of the Independent Living Movement: peer support, self-help, self-determination, equality, and positive systemic change.

Composition:Currently, a majority of the SILC’s members have a disability, or are the relatives ofindividuals with disabilities. Council members include:

Paula Margeson, Plano Dennis Borel, Austin

Marcia Ingram,McAllen Morgan Talbot,McAllen

Tracey Michol, FortWorth Kristen Jones, Austin

Scotty Sherrill, Nacogdoches Donald Landry, Beaumont

Michelle Crain, Lubbock Robert Hawkins, Bellmead

Representatives from state agencies serve as ex officio members of the SILC.Currently, these members are:

Larry Gardner,Division for Rehabilitation Services

Glenda Embree,Division for Blind Services

Marc S.Gold,Department of Aging and Disability Services

Funding:The State Independent Living Council is a fully incorporated, tax exempt, organi-zation with an annual operating budget of approximately $185,000. The primarysource of revenues for the organization is a grant authorized in Title VII Part B ofthe Rehabilitation Act and administered through the Department of Assistive andRehabilitative Services.

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Thank You to the FollowingSponsors and Contributors



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Conference Agenda11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Breakout Sessions Arboretum 4-5

Live Long, Live Strong:What Everyone Needs to KnowAbout, Sex, Drugs and Disabilities

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental HealthServices Administration, “People with physical and cog-nitive disabilities are more likely to have a substanceuse disorder and less likely to get treatment for it thanthose without a co-existing disability.” Recognizing thatthe spectrum of substance use disorder treatment forpeople with physical and cognitive disabilities is abroad one, the general focus of this session will be anoverview of substance use and interventions withemphasis on helping participants to develop an aware-ness of attitudes, beliefs and expectations toward druguse that may impact getting help.

Presenter: Pat Pullins, Manager,Wellderly Program,Council on Alcohol and Drugs Houston

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Awards Luncheon Imperial Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Awards Presentations• Professional/Service Provider Award• Community Service Award• Lifetime Achievement Award• Consumer of the Year

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. General Session Regency Ballroom, 2nd Floor

Enhancing Individual Choice - The Money Follows thePerson Demonstration

The presenter will discuss the Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services (CMS) Money Follows the Person(MFP) Demonstration award recently granted to Texas.This Demonstration will allow Texas to build upon itscurrent success with MFP, and assist individuals withmore complex functional/medical needs to relocatefrom nursing facilities to community-based residentialsettings. Additional community-based services will beprovided for select populations in pilot settings.

Presenter: Marc Gold, Director, PromotingIndependence Initiative Texas Department of Agingand Disability Services

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Conference AgendaANNUAL INDEPENDENTLIVING CONFERENCE


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3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions Arboretum 1-2

Getting Involved, Community Service as a Key toWellness

This session will center on the importance of “givingback” and highlight ways that people with disabilitiescan make a difference in their communities.

Presenter: Paula Margeson, Chair, Texas StateIndependent Living Council


CastingYour Ballot and Getting Politicians toWork forYou

The workshop presenter will discuss pending legislationof particular relevance to people with disabilities andoutline useful strategies for impacting decision-makers.

Presenter: Dennis Borel, Executive Director, Coalition ofTexans with Disabilities

4:00 p.m. Adjournment


Elizabeth Gregowicz, Speaker

Peggy Turner, Speaker

Chuck French, Speaker

Melody Riefer, Speaker

Helen Kutz, Speaker

Dr. Elizabeth Jones, Speaker

April Sullivan, Speaker

Maria Teresa Aguirre, Speaker

Daniel Scarborough, Speaker

Brenda Premo, Speaker

Dr. Roberta Anding, Speaker

Richard Hopkins, Speaker

Michael Ritter, Speaker

Pat Pullins, Speaker

Dr.Marc Gold, Speaker

Paula Margeson, Speaker

Dennis Borel, Speaker

Ann Titgen,Volunteer

Linda Silverstein,Volunteer

John Davis,Volunteer

EXHIBITORS

Amerigroup Community Care

Evercare

Center for Research onWomen with Disabilities

VSA Arts

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services,Rehab Technology Resource Center

DARS - Division for Blind Services

Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living

Advocacy Inc

Houston Center for Independent Living

Flexiciser International

Pressing On



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About the ConferenceSpeakers/PresentersMichelle ColvardMichelle Colvard is the executive director of the Mayor's Office for People withDisabilities in Houston. A native Houstonian, Ms. Colvard was born with spina bifidaand has used a wheelchair since the 6th grade. She has a background in healthresearch, including health promotion for people with disabilities and women’s issues.Ms. Colvard holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of TexasSchool of Public Health. She was recently chosen as Ms.Wheelchair Texas 2008.

Lex FriedenAn icon of the Independent Living Movement, Lex Frieden has received twoPresidential Citations for his work in the field of disability and was the 1998 recipientof the distinguished Henry B. Betts Award for "efforts that significantly improve thequality of life for people with disabilities.” Currently, Mr. Frieden is professor of HealthInformatics and Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University ofTexas Health Science Center at Houston, and Adjunct Professor of Physical Medicineand Rehabilitation and Community and Family Medicine at Baylor College ofMedicine.While serving as executive director for the National Council on Disability,(1984-1988), he was instrumental in conceiving and drafting the Americans withDisabilities Act. Mr. Frieden holds a master’s degree in social psychology from theUniversity of Houston and has been awarded aWorld Rehabilitation Fund Fellowshipto study programs for disabled people in Europe.

Margaret A. Nosek, Ph.D.,Margaret A. Nosek, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine andRehabilitation and founder and Executive Director of the Center for Research onWomen with Disabilities (CROWD) at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Nosek is a 1984graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a doctorate in rehabilitationresearch. Her research and writing on disability have focused on the psychosocial andphysical health of women with disabilities, internet-based learning, secondary condi-tions, health promotion, reproductive health care, sexuality, self-esteem, and abuse ofwomen with disabilities. As a person with a severe physical disability, she has been apioneer and activist in the disability rights movement, including vigorously support-ing passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The President's Committee onEmployment of People with Disabilities has honored her as a “Disability Patriot.”

Elizabeth GregowiczElizabeth Gregowicz is the DARS, Center for Policy and Innovation, MedicaidInfrastructure Grant (MIG) Administrator. Having worked in several states in theDisability Determination Service programs, she has an extensive Social SecurityAdministration (SSA) disability background. In 1994, she became part of the staff ofthe Texas Disability Determination Services department, where she worked closelywith the SSA disability initiatives for nine years. In 2002, she joined the TexasWorkforce Commission. This experience included interfacing with the 28 statewideLocal AreaWorkforce Boards in the areas of policy, contract management, technical

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Evercare, Silver Star Sponsor ($2,500)

Amerigroup Community Care, Gold Star Sponsor ($5,000)

Houston Center for Independent Living, Co-sponsor

RegionVI Community Rehabilitation Program,University of North Texas, Co-sponsor

ARCIL Graphics, In-kind Contribution

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Awards Plaques

REACH Resource Centers on Independent Living, Editorial Support

B. J. Cepeda, Braille Transcription

Michelle Colvard, Speaker

Lex Frieden, Speaker

Dr. Peggy Nosek, Speaker


Who is Evercare?Evercare is one of the nation's largest care coordinationprograms for people who have long-term or advancedillnesses, are older or have disabilities. Our Medicareand Medicaid plans and services enhance health andindependence by providing a Nurse Practitioner orCare Manager as your personal guide through the

complex world of health care. We help make it easierto get the care you deserve.



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About the ConferenceSpeakers/Presenters

Greater Houston. She earned her Masters Degree in SocialWork from theUniversity of Houston and an undergraduate degree in psychology from TexasSouthern University.

Marc GoldMarc Gold is the manager overseeing the Promoting Independence Initiative forthe Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, (DADS). Previously, heworked with the Health and Human Services Commission and the former TexasDepartment of Human Services. A graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Goldearned a master’s degree from Emory University in Georgia and a doctorate inneuropsychology from Columbia University in NewYork. Representing DADS, heis an ex-officio member of the State Independent living Council.

Paula MargesonPaula Margeson is the current chair of the State Independent Living Council. Shehas worked in the Independent Living Movement for thirty years and is presentlythe grant writer and youth outreach coordinator at the REACH Resource Center inDallas. As a person with a disability and both the mother and daughter of individ-uals with disabilities, she is well aware of the challenges faced by her peers and iscommitted to helping others in their efforts toward greater independence. Ms.Margeson received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2006 and in 2007.She has a bachelor’s degree from California State University at Fullerton.

Dennis BorelDennis Borel is executive director of the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities andas such is frequently called on for research, policy analysis and recommendationsto the Texas Legislature and state agencies regarding disability-related issues. Heserves on multiple advisory groups to state health and human services agenciesand was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the State Independent Living Council. Mr.Borel has twenty-three years' experience as a senior manager of nonprofit organi-zations. In 2005 he was honored by his alma mater, the University of Michigan, forhis work in the field of disability.

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assistance, and performance, as well as oversight of the Career Schools andColleges andWorkforce Investment Act Eligible Training Provider programs. Ms.Gregowicz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University.

Peggy TurnerPeggy Turner is the division manager of adaptive recreation for the Houston Parksand Recreation Department. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialistand has over twenty-five years experience working with people with disabilities.Ms. Turner has a BS in Recreation and Leisure Studies and minored in HealthEducation.

Chuck FrenchChuck French is adaptive recreation facility manager for the Houston Parks andRecreation Department. He is a certified USAWeightlifting Club Coach. Mr. Frenchhas developed successful adaptive exercise, fitness and weight training programsfor people with disabilities and is an instructor for the Department’s aquatic exer-cise classes for the aging and disabled. He has a B.S. in Kineseology and a MastersDegree in Education.

Melody RieferMelody Riefer is the Project Manager for the Shared Decision Making project at theUniversity of Kansas, School of SocialWelfare. She is a trainer, consultant, andspeaker who has worked with multiple state mental health authorities and variousnational and state advocacy organizations. Ms. Rieffer has authored several man-uals and curricula as diverse as beginner training guides for new computer users,governance and policy handbooks for non-profit agencies, and peer specialisttraining manuals. She was the founding director of The Peer Project, a 100% con-sumer-run program in Atlanta GA. Ms. Rieffer served as the inaugural director ofthe Office of Consumer Affairs for the Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health andSubstance Abuse Services. Her work is influenced by, and benefits from, the expe-rience she brings as a person in recovery from serious mental illness.

Helen KutzHelen Kutz is assistant director at Progressive Independence, an independent liv-ing center in Norman, OK. She has been featured as a keynote speaker, facilitator,panelist and workshop presenter at conferences for organizations such as NationalOrganization ofWomen, National Association ofWomen’s Study Programs,National Council of Independent Living and the President’s Committee forEmployment of People with Disabilities. Over the course of a decade, she hasdeveloped and delivered numerous workshops on the healing power of humor.Ms. Kutz has her bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in humanrelations both from the University of Oklahoma.

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providers and training for medical professionals regarding how to competentlydeliver health services to patients with disabilities. Ms. Premo holds a master’sdegree in business administration from Pepperdine University.

Roberta Anding RDRoberta Anding RD is a clinical dietitian for Adolescent Medicine, the Director ofSports Nutrition for Texas Children’s Hospital and the Roger Clemens Institute. Sheis the team dietitian for the Houston Texans and for Rice UniversityWellness. Sheis the chair of SCAN, the Sports, Cardiovascular andWellness Nutritionists, a prac-tice group of the American Dietetic Association. Ms. Anding has twenty years ofexperience as a teacher, educator and media representative and has receivednumerous teaching awards. She has twenty-two scientific and consumer publica-tions to her credit focusing on sports, supplements, diabetes and eating disorders.Ms. Anding and Dan Riley, head strength coach of the Houston Texans co-host theHouston Texans Fitness Show on Sport Radio 610 every Saturday morning.

Richard HopkinsRichard Hopkins is the Program Specialist at the Department of Assistive andRehabilitative Services in the areas of Assistive Technology, Vehicle Modifications,and Home and Job Site Modifications. He has worked in the field of HumanServices for more than twenty-nine years. He is involved in various communityorganizations that enhance his work in the field of Human Services including theAustin Capital City Lions Club, Project Mend, Inc., and Durable MedicalEquipment Recycle Program. Mr. Hopkins holds a masters degree in educationfrom Jackson State University, Jackson, MS.

Michael RitterMichael Ritter is the Rehab Technology Information Specialist for the Departmentof Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. He provides tours of the DARS RehabTechnology Resource Center; conducts research on new advances in AT; demon-strates AT equipment; and assists in managing the AT Loan Program - a "try itbefore you buy it" system that allows people with disabilities to evaluate variousAT devices before purchasing. Mr. Ritter has worked at the state agency for sevenyears.

Pat PullinsPat Pullins is manager for theWellderly Program at The Council on Alcohol andDrugs Houston. She is a licensed master social worker, licensed chemical depend-ency counselor, a certified health professional and gerontology specialist, a certi-fied dual disordered professional, and a trained relapse prevention specialist. Shehas worked with a diverse substance abuse population, including, women, adults,adolescents, criminal justice clients, and more recently the elderly. Ms. Pullins isan appointee to the Area Planning Advisory Council of the Area Agency on Aging,and is a member of the Committee on Aging at the Mental Health Association of



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Elizabeth JonesElizabeth Jones is the Consumer Directed Services Coordinator for theDepartment of Aging and Disability Services. She has over 20 years of experiencein health and human services program development and evaluation and policyanalysis. Most recently, Dr. Jones directed the Center for Medicare and MedicaidServices (CMS) Real Choice Systems Change grant. She has worked closely withstakeholders to develop the Service Responsibility Option (SRO) as well as todesign outreach and educational material about consumer direction. She is amember of the Health and Human Services Commission’s Consumer DirectedWorkgroup. Dr. Jones received a Ph.D. in Sociology from Northwestern Universityin Evanston, Illinois.

April SullivanApril Sullivan is ArtWorks Director at VSA Arts. In this capacity, she organizes andimplements ArtsWorks programs and services and provides consultation andtechnical assistance to emerging artists with disabilities. Ms. Sullivan has a BFA inArt History from the University of Texas at Austin and is an accomplished visualartist.

Daniel ScarboroughDaniel Scarborough is the Director of the National PASS Network. Through spe-cialized training, he assists individuals with disabilities and professional organiza-tions to access Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and work incentiveprograms to fund vocational opportunities.

Maria Teresa AguirreMaria Teresa Aguirre is an accomplished painter who has studied at the El PasoMuseum of Art, the Carmel Cultural Center in Carmel, California,WesternUniversity of New Mexico, and the Centro Cultural Universitario of Cuernavace, inMorelos Mexico. Her murals can be seen at the Lincoln Cultural Center in El Paso,TX.

Brenda PremoBrenda Premo is the Director of the Center for Disability Issues and the HealthProfessions, Assistant Vice President of Government Issues, and AssociateProfessor, Department of Health, atWestern University in Pomona, CA. She is theformer director of the independent living center in Orange County. Ms. Premoserved on the National Council on Disability in the 1980’s and collaborated indrafting the Americans with Disabilities Act. The California State Senate honoredher asWoman of the Year in 1988. Under California Governor PeteWilson, Ms.Premo was the Director of the California State Department of Rehabilitation.Recent projects have included the development of materials for educating patientswith disabilities regarding how to access health services and communicate with

2008 Texas Statewide Independent Living Conference

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