National Council on Disability
Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee (CDAC)
June 1, 2005 - Record of Public Meeting (Minutes)

The Designated Federal Official (DFO) called the meeting to order at 3:02 PM.

Participants: CDAC members – Jean Lin, Wendy Alegra-Jones, Glenn Fujiura, Ph.D., Darrell Simmons, J.D., Jerry Lang; NCD staff – Jeff Rosen (Director of Policy/General Counsel), Gerrie Hawkins, Ph.D., Designated Federal Official (DFO); and Guests - Mr. Elshtain, Coordinator for the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities; and Mr. Arthur Cutler, director of organizational management and design, National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems.

After the Call to Order, roll call and introduction of any guests, the meeting proceeded
according to the agenda.

Civil Rights Forum Comments:
This is the first CDAC meeting since the Civil Rights Forum of March 29, 2005. NCD has coordinated and provided to CDAC members, a copy of the summary paper, which gives a brief synopsis of some of the ideas around areas of concern and for action generated by the forum work group participants. Three CDAC members (Glenn Fujiura, Ph.D., Darrell K. Simmons, J.D., and Elaine Mbionwu, CCHP) facilitated the forum workgroups – each addressing on of three topics, educational excellence and equity, creating and rewarding diversity-friendly workplaces, and restoring civil rights legislation. Dr. Fujiura shared his observations and comments regarding the educational excellence and equity topic. While deliberations were lengthy, participants were able to identify focal points deemed beneficial for policy development. He also observed a preponderance of disability groups present and a minority of broader civil rights groups at the table. While this did not stop conversation, the dialogue might have had a different tenor if there had been a greater number of broader civil rights groups were present. Dr. Fujiura was heartened by the fact that common causes were easy to find. However, settling on specific agenda items that anchor future work together was more challenging. On the whole, the discussion was described as quite dynamic.

Mr. Rosen commended the CDAC facilitators for their roles. He added that the small representation made by the civil rights organizations at the forum shows a need for more integration opportunities, and that perhaps harder work to increase such interaction. There were signs of more inclusion of disability issues by the civil rights organizations than was the case in the past. While a number of the civil rights organizations present at the forum already had some sense of disability issues, the forum allowed for more dialogue about how the heightened awareness can be converted to action and practice. Some constructive work since the forum by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights was mentioned. Perhaps, documenting some of the more subtle after-effects of the forum could also call attention to how some changes are occurring.

NCD will welcome the input of CDAC about that or other ways to continue as a broker in support of linkages among disability and broader civil rights entities. CDAC members were encouraged to share their ideas with the DFO or Mr. Rosen so that transmittal could also be made to the NCD Council Liaison.

Dr. Hawkins stated that the Civil Rights Forum summary paper, notes from the different work groups and an extensive resource directory from NCD’s cultural diversity toolkit will soon be available on both AAPD and NCD’s websites.

Before he left the meeting, Mr. Rosen responded to a request to update CDAC members about the direction that NCD is planning for the remainder of FY2005 and into FY2006 around “livable communities. He indicated that while more examination needs to occur. NCD and CDAC can have another conversation where more time can be spent examining the issue. NCD produced a report (Livable Communities for Adults with Disabilities, December 2004) that includes NCD’s recommendations in line with President Bush’s emphasis in the New Freedom Initiative on community integration, participation, and enhancement of the independence of people with disabilities at home, at work, and throughout the course of their daily lives. Everyone is encouraged to review the report at: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/news/2004/r04-472.htm. Briefly, under the broad notion of livable communities for everyone, NCD has begun to take an overall look at how Federal programs support the ability of people with disabilities to decide for themselves how they can become self-empowered. The disability community has rejected the idea of dependence on welfare, and there is a movement favoring people with disabilities having their own assets, so that they are able to become more fully participatory in, and more contributory to society in a way that they choose.

NCD highly appreciates the work that CDAC is doing and will support the committee in whatever the members feel comfortable doing for NCD because their commitment is voluntary. NCD welcomes continuous participation in its activities. CDAC members can become involved in reviewing proposals, volunteering to serve as members of advisory groups that may be components of any of the studies or implementation work that NCD is doing in 2005, and there is always an opportunity to review the work that contractors have done. CDAC can contribute at the beginning and at the end of things.

CDAC members and guests who have questions, comments regarding any of the matters discussed today and/or who wish to participate in the identified NCD work were encouraged to contact Dr. Hawkins via e-mail.

New Item(s): A possible recommendation to NCD was not acted upon. Future conversation was anticipated on an issue addressing accountability for disability and diversity. Based on brief discussion that followed, the DFO clarified that this issue is not on NCD’s list of priorities and that CDAC members are free to choose to concentrate on the studies and implementation projects discussed earlier. The general consensus was that CDAC stay on course with contributing to NCD’s identified priorities. Members should e-mail Dr. Hawkins and/or Mr. Rosen with any questions or comments that they may have.

Announcements: Jean Lin announced an upcoming disability conference in Orange County, California in November 2005; Jerry Lang announced the National Congress of American Indians annual conference also planned for October 20-November 4, 2005.
In response to the question of purchased space for booths at various meetings, the DFO stated that NCD, a small agency with limited appropriations even in the best of times, does not have funds to buy space but would be interested in sharing information through such venues if any identified contacts would be willing to help do that.

Adjournment: After a recap of key points from today’s discussion, a reminder of follow-up choices, and an expression of appreciation to all participants for their time and valued input, the meeting was adjourned by the DFO.