American Association of People with Disabilities Logo


2006 Annual Report
Organizing the Disability Community



MS Word   Text   PDF format

Related Items

2005 Annual Report

2004 Annual Report

2003 Annual Report

Mission Statement
The mission of AAPD is to organize the disability community to be a powerful force for change—politically, socially, and economically.

2006—Year in Review

Table of Contents:

Message from AAPD's Board Chair and President & CEO

Public Policy & Research

Mentoring & Career Exploration

Disability Vote Project

Leadership Development

Membership

AAPD Sponsors

AAPD Financial Information

AAPD Board of Directors


Message from AAPD's Board Chair and President & CEO

Thanks to your support and advocacy, in 2006 AAPD continued to expand and broaden its impact on the disability rights movement.

The rights of all people with all disabilities were represented on the Medicaid Commission (which had been appointed in 2005 by Health and Human Services Secretary Mick Leavitt) by AAPD's Senior Director for Public Policy and Outreach, Gwen Gillenwater, the only voting member of the Commission from the disability community.

In 2006, AAPD also placed a strong focus on the next generation of disability leaders through its Leadership Development Programs. At the AAPD Leadership Gala in March, three extraordinary disability rights leaders were recognized with awards. In the summer, 18 college students with disabilities participated in AAPD internship programs in Washington, DC, where they worked in Members' offices on Capitol Hill and in information technology offices of Federal Agencies. And in October, almost 16,000 young people and jobseekers with disabilities participated in AAPD's Disability Mentoring Day Program in every state plus many international locations.

An additional 1000 Mobility Vehicle and Access loans were made to AAPD members in 2006 through our partnership with the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU). The total amount of these loans made to AAPD members (since the partnership was forged in 2002) exceeded the $150 million mark in 2006.

AAPD created a Telecommunications and Technology Policy Initiative and hired Jenifer Simpson, previously at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a mother of a son with a disability, to be its Senior Director. AAPD co-hosted an historic disability vote conference that assembled a diverse coalition of disability vote advocates for best practices education and long-term planning. One of the summit's significant outcomes was the creation of the Disability Vote Alliance, a state and national partnership for disability vote mobilization.

AAPD hosted its fifth annual AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, DC, which was co-emceed by The Honorable Tony Coelho and esteemed journalist Judy Woodruff. Keynote remarks were provided by Health and Human Services Secretary Mick Leavitt and award presenters included U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Chair Cari Dominguez. The award acceptance remarks made by Barbara Easterling, Anisha Imhoff- Kerr, John D. Kemp and Megan O'Neil were powerful and inspired increased advocacy in all attendees.

And then in November's national elections, thanks to the ongoing national coalition work of AAPD's Disability Vote Project, 41% of Americans were able to cast their votes privately and independently using accessible touch screen voting machines for the first time in history.

None of this or other program highlights we share in this report could have been possible without the support of AAPD's members, donors, Board of Directors, volunteers, advocates and staff. On behalf of AAPD, we extend to you our deepest thanks for all that you do for AAPD and for the disability rights movement – it is your support and commitment that makes our work at AAPD possible.

"When AAPD speaks, we want Capitol Hill to hear us clearly, and we think you do. Just look at the quality and caliber of people in this room. Unbelievable—members of congress, corporate America—thank you for caring and acting with us and on our behalf. People with disabilities are building a magnificent tomorrow right here today."

John D. Kemp
2006 Henry B. Betts Award recipient, speaking at the 2006 AAPD Leadership Gala

Helen Roth, Chair, AAPD Board of Directors
Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO, AAPD

top


AAPD is ... Advocating for disability rights and creating strong bipartisan alliances

Legislative Activities

Telecommunications and Technology Policy Initiative

Advocacy Activities

Policy Forums

top


AAPD is ... providing mentoring and job-shadowing opportunities, and creating internship and job opportunities

AAPD's Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) program is designed to promote disability as a central component of diversity recruitment for a more inclusive workforce; dispel employers' fears about hiring people with disabilities; increase confidence among students and job seekers with disabilities; enhance internship and employment opportunities for people with disabilities; and serve as a launch pad to promote a year-round, national effort to foster mentoring and career-exploration opportunities.

In 2006, almost 16,000 students and job seekers with disabilities (mentees) participated in Disability Mentoring Day in every state plus 20 international locations, the largest number in the program's history. High school students comprised the vast majority of the participants. More than 300 local coordinators in local communities coordinated all Disability Mentoring Day activities, all working on a volunteer basis for AAPD. The activities fell into one of these four models: one day job-shadowing; career fairs; career workshops; (i.e. resume and cover letter writing; interviewing techniques, etc.); or a combination of the above. The local coordinators are critical to the continued growth of this program – people like Irene Jones, who is the local coordinator in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

2006 Disability Mentoring Day was launched in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in conjunction with the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) National Conference. More than 250 high school and college students attended workshops and a career fair with more than 50 booths. AAPD had a strong presence at this event, as a speaker and an exhibitor. The conference also afforded AAPD the chance to publicize Disability Mentoring Day to the students, as well as to parents, educators, and rehabilitation counselors.

"This may have been the best day of my career. It certainly was the most rewarding one I've had here."
A mentor at Turtle Back Zoo,
West Orange, NJ

Economic empowerment is at the heart of civil rights for people with disabilities. By building relationships between mentees and mentors working in fields that interest them and building a year-round career exploration program, Disability Mentoring Day helps to create a pipeline of qualified workers and gives people with disabilities greater direction and motivation.

"Though small, the Idaho Falls DMD program is on target with helping place students with disabilities in their dream job for a day. Says Jones, even the Mayor of Idaho Falls serves as a mentor!"
Irene Jones,
Local Coordinator, Idaho Falls

"The most important thing I learned is that there is a job out there for me."
A mentee in Idaho Falls, ID

AAPD recognizes the 2006 Disability Mentoring Day Program Sponsors:
Lead Sponsor: Darden Restaurants; Lead Public Sponsor: U.S. Social Security Administration; Lead National Corporate Sponsor: Verizon; National Corporate Sponsors: Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, Pitney Bowes, and SunTrust; and SAP (sponsor of Disability Mentoring Link).

top


AAPD is ... taking a stand for equality and empowerment for voting rights and equality.

AAPD's Disability Vote Project

The mission of AAPD's Disability Vote Project (DVP) is to address the fundamental inequalities faced by this nation's voters with disabilities, and work in a nonpartisan manner to ensure that they are provided full accessibility to the entire voting process, including all polling places and voting equipment, and to register and turn out voters with strong disability interests.

2006 was a year of significant development for DVP.

AAPD recognizes the 2006 Disability Vote Project Sponsors: Carnegie Corporation of New York, The JEHT Foundation, Lucy R. Waletzky, Ruth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust, Shefa Fund, and all 2006 sponsors of The Disability Vote Project.

top


AAPD is ... recognizing today's disability rights leaders and helping to create and inspire tomorrow's leaders.

Leadership Awards

The Henry B. Betts Award annually honors an individual whose lifetime work has created better quality of life for people with disabilities. In 2006, it was presented at the AAPD Leadership Gala to John D. Kemp, a co-founder of AAPD who has spent his lifetime advocating on behalf of people with disabilities. As said by Marlee Matlin, one of the individuals who nominated Kemp to receive this award, "He is a true champion of the national and international disability community, and his very being is a living model for others to follow."

The Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Awards were established in the name of AAPD's co-founder to continue Paul's goal of cultivating emerging leaders to carry on the disability rights movement. Two awards were made in 2006 and presented at the AAPD Leadership Gala.

Anisha Imhoff-Kerr is the founder of State of Mine, a nonprofit youth-run advocacy organization that was established in 2003 to promote mental health awareness. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of eleven, she is a fulltime college student who advocates to reduce stigma in the educational community.

Megan O'Neil is a recognized expert on asset building for people with disabilities. She became a paraplegic in 1995 as the result of a car accident, and it was her own experience as a disabled person that led to her advocacy and activism. It was life on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that made her realize she wanted more from life and from herself.

Videos highlighting the work of these three award recipients can be found on the AAPD website.

The Linda Chavez-Thompson Award annually recognizes an individual from the labor movement who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in including people with disabilities and their families as part of the labor movement and U.S. workforce. At the AAPD Leadership Gala, the 2006 award was presented to Barbara Easterling, Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), who has been very active with numerous disability organizations, including serving as a member of the board of the Spina Bifida Foundation and the Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

AAPD recognizes the Prince Charitable Trusts, sponsor of the Henry B. Betts Award, and the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation for its support of the Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Awards.

AAPD's DC Internship Programs

AAPD continued to offer highly-sought internships for college students with disabilities, which pave the way to longer-term internships and employment prospects and open others doors of opportunity for the students who go through these programs. Interns in both programs were also given opportunities during the program for increased networking with business leaders, legislators, and disability rights leaders.

Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship Program

Thanks to major funding from Microsoft, the program provided information technology experience in the federal sector, enabling each intern to work with professionals in the I.T. areas of Federal Agencies in Washington, DC. Ten interns from nine different states had placements at the following agencies: Federal Railroad Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

MEAF-AAPD Congressional Internship Program

Thanks to major funding from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF), eight interns from five states and Puerto Rico were afforded the chance to work with Members of Congress at their Capitol Hills offices, to gain a firsthand look at the political and legislative processes. Congressional members hosting the 2006 interns were House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Senators Sam Brownback, Michael Enzi, Tom Harkin, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Debbie Stabenow, and Representatives John Conyers and Charles Dent.

"I really don't think I could have had a better intern experience; it was fantastic!"
Beth Kolbe, Congressional Intern

AAPD is ... recognizing champions of disability rights and inspiring increased advocacy.

AAPD's ADA Anniversary Celebration Event

On July 26, the 16th anniversary of the passage of the ADA, AAPD hosted its annual event on Capitol Hill to celebrate this important anniversary and to recognize champions of the ADA with Justice for All Awards. Welcoming comments were made by AAPD executive committee member Cheryl Sensenbrenner. Speakers included Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Rep. Major Owens (D-NY). The honorees were Congressional champions of disability rights, Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL); ADAPT National Organizer, Bob Kafka; Pennsylvania SILC Executive Director, Corey Rowley; and The Honorable Rick Lazio, Executive Vice President of JP Morgan Chase & Co. and a former member of congress. AAPD also presented a Thomas Paine Award to MIT Professor Ted Selker, in recognition of his important work to help ensure that people with disabilities have the ability to vote privately and independently.

2006 AAPD Leadership Gala

More than 600 diverse stakeholders – business leaders, members of congress and senior members of the Administration, and leaders of the disability and civil rights communities – gathered in Washington, DC on March 8 at the AAPD Leadership Gala, to recognize leaders of the disability rights movement and share in the advocacy. AAPD honored four extraordinary leaders with prestigious awards. The event was co-emceed by The Honorable Tony Coelho and distinguished journalist Judy Woodruff. Keynote remarks were provided by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

At the event, AAPD presented the Henry B. Betts Award to AAPD co-founder John D. Kemp, Paul G. Hearne/AAPD Leadership Awards to Anisha Imhoff-Kerr and Megan O'Neil, and the Linda Chavez-Thompson Award to Barbara Easterling. The recipients' powerful award acceptance remarks embraced all stakeholders and inspired their advocacy.

"We all recognize the importance of the ADA. All of us benefit when people with disabilities are able to participate fully in our lives and in our communities." Mike Leavitt Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Why do we care about accessibility? We think everyone should have an equal opportunity to bring forward their creativity and hard work. We support policies and protect the rights of people with disabilities to participate in the workforce and have a personal interest in seeing that the playing field is leveled."
Mark White
Chief Financial Officer, SAP Americas, Speaking at the 2006 AAPD Leadership Gala

During her comments, Cari Dominquez, Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, who presented one of the awards, said, "I just want to say on behalf of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission how important and valuable AAPD is to the work that we do. All of you know that the Commission is a keeper of the ADA – we are entrusted to enforce that law. And I believe that public policy making would suffer greatly if it weren't for the influence and the input and perspective of AAPD. So on behalf of the Commission, I just want to thank all the leadership of AAPD."

The gala, which started with receptions and an exhibit area, and whose highlights were the extraordinary award acceptance remarks, was a powerful reminder of the diversity of the disability rights movement in this country.

AAPD recognizes the 2006 AAPD Leadership Gala's Lead Sponsors: Independence Technology (a Johnson&Johnson company) and SAP; Platinum Sponsor: American Airlines; and all event sponsors. View a full list of sponsors.

top


AAPD is … making a difference, fostering independence and connecting people with resources and advocacy.

AAPD in 2006 continued to seek ways to refine and expand its Member Benefits program. AAPD's partnership with the Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU), a unique benefit and one of the most popular benefits extended to AAPD members, hit a notable number in 2006: $150 million.

With this partnership that had launched in 2002, affording members the chance to receive Mobility Vehicle Loans or Access Loans, by 2006 AAPD members had been granted loans totaling $150 million. What does this mean to AAPD members? According to members who have received loans by way of the AAPD/DCU member benefits program, they were approved for the loan and had their new vehicle within three weeks, sometimes less. For AAPD member Veronica Bartholomew, a veteran, the loan application and approval were quick and easy, and it took only one week for her to have her new van, lift and all. She says, "I would tell anyone with a disability to go through DCU."

AAPD offers a wide array of benefits in addition to the partnership with DCU, but individuals join for a variety of reasons and tell AAPD how they benefit from their membership and affiliation.

"I want my students to know just how valuable an AAPD membership is."
L.M., AAPD member from Georgia

"Thanks for your support in providing AAPD information for the attendees of our upcoming workshop for persons with spinal cord injuries and their family members. It's so important for them to know about all the work AAPD does to advance the rights of people with disabilities."
T.M., AAPD member from Minnesota

"I would like a new membership for my director of disability. I feel you provide excellent information on the legal issues of the disabled status."
L.R., AAPD member from Michigan

AAPD – Making Connections Electronically

Through its website, www.aapd.com, and free email listserv, Justice for All (JFA), AAPD is providing connections and keeping members and other advocates informed of issues most critical to the disability community. In 2006, we learned from members and advocates how valuable these resources were to them.

"Thanks to the JFA team for the wonderful work that keeps us all informed. It's been invaluable for some of us who are advocates here in Oregon! JFA disseminated information has been very helpful to allow us to know better and do better to achieve results."
Michele R.
AAPD member from Bend, OR

AAPD extends its appreciation to IBM for its sponsorship support of the AAPD website.

top


AAPD is ... Thankful to its 2006 Sponsors

The following list reflects donations and grants made to AAPD between January 1 and December 31, 2006. AAPD gratefully thanks and acknowledges all donors for their support, commitment, and endorsement of AAPD's activities and programming.

AARPAdvaMed
AFL-CIOAid Association of the Blind
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLPAlison Hillman
American AirlinesAmerican Association for Homecare
American Liberties Union FoundationAMS
Andrew J. ImparatoAT&T
Bank of AmericaBellSouth
Bender Consulting ServicesBoeing Company
Booz Allen Hamilton/Emerging Leadership ProgramBristol-Myers Squibb
Carnegie Corporation of New YorkCentech
Cheryl SensenbrennerChristopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
Cingular WirelessClear Channel Worldwide
ComcastCommunications Workers of America
Cornell UniversityCSX
CTIA-The Wireless AssociationDaimlerChrysler
Darden Restaurants Inc.Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU)
DIRECTVDisney World Services
Easter SealsEli Lilly and Co.
Epilepsy FoundationFreddieMac
Gallaudet UniversityGovernment of the District of Columbia
Gregg HowardHammerman and Fisch Foundation
Hanger Orthopedic GroupHealthSouth
Helen RothHewlett-Packard
Hopkins PrintingIBM
Independence TechnologyInternational Institute for Healthcare and Human Development
InvacareIssue Dynamics
JEHT FoundationJohn D. Kemp
JP Morgan ChaseJudy Woodruff
Leslie SchmidLockheed Martin
Lucy R. WaletzkyMarwood Group
Microsoft CorporationMilbank Foundation for Rehabilitation
Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF)Motorola
National Association of BroadcastersNational Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA)
National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA)NewsCorporation
NISHNovartis
OraclePamela and Barry Fingerhut Philanthropic Fund
Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaPfizer
Pitney BowesPotomac Counsel
Powers Pyles Sutter & VervillePrince Charitable Trusts
Ralph BoydRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
Richard KnowlesRuth McCormick Tankersley Charitable Trust
SAP America Inc.Seth Sprague Educational & Charitable Trust
Sheet Metal Workers International AssociationShefa Fund
SprintSunrise Medical
SunTrustTed Kennedy, Jr.
The Honorable and Mrs. Jim SensenbrennerThe Honorable Bob Dole
The Honorable Judith HeumannThe Honorable Tony Coelho
Time WarnerTracFone
U.S. Department of EducationU.S. Social Security Administration
Ullico Management CompanyUnited Cerebral Palsy
United Spinal AssociationUniversal Music Group
VerizonVerizon Foundation
ViacomWashington Center for Interns
Wisconsin EnergyYoshiko Dart

"We have come to learn, we have come to support, and we have come to have fun."
Gregg Howard
Independence Technology,
2006 AAPD Leadership Gala Lead Sponsor

top


AAPD Financial Information
January 1 – December 31, 2006

Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets

Revenues and Public Support

Member Fees$199,583
Contributions$103,476
Contributions In-Kind$49,649
Program Revenue$261,700
Corporate/Foundation Grants$1,492,475
Government Grants$328,418
Other Income$61,568
Total Public Support and Revenues$2,496,869

Expenses

Program Services$1,873,341
Supporting Expenses$340,684
Total Expenses$2,214,025

Change in Net Assets$282,844
Net Assets, Beginning of Year$1,191,402
Net Assets, End of Year$1,474,246

Statement of Financial Position

Current Assets and Equipment

Cash and Cash Equivalents$1,098,514
Accounts Receivable$133,462
Unconditional Promises to Give$364,500
Prepaid Expenses$4,837
Fixed Assets$26,394
Deposits$5,518
Total Assets$1,633,225

Liabilities and Net Assets

Current Liabilities$158,979
Net Assets/Unrestricted$1,288,116
Net Assets/Temporarily Restricted$186,130
Total Liabilities and Net Assets$1,633,225

top


2006 AAPD Board of Directors

Kathleen Behan
Advocate, Alexandria, VA

Joyce Bender
Bender Consulting Services Inc., Pittsburgh, PA

James J. Billy
Advocate, Silver Spring, MD

Ralph Boyd, Jr.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, McLean, VA

Linda Chavez-Thompson
AFL-CIO, Washington, DC

Wendy Elliott-Vandivier
Elliott-Vandivier, Hibbs & Associates, LLC, Philadelphia, PA

The Honorable Judith E. Heumann
Disability Rights Advocate, Washington, DC

Alison Hillman
Mental Disability Rights International, Washington, DC

Ambassador Bradley Holmes
Global Telecommunications & IT Consultant, Washington, DC

Vail Horton
Keen Mobility, Portland, OR

Gregg Howard
Independence Technology, Warren, NJ

Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO
American Association of People with Disabilities, Washington, DC

Edward Kennedy, Jr.
Marwood Group, New Haven, CT

Richard Knowles
SAP Americas, Marietta, GA

Leslie Schmid
Advocate, Chicago, IL

Fred Weiner
Gallaudet University, Washington, DC

James Weisman, Immediate Past Chair
United Spinal Association, Jackson Heights, NY

Frances West
IBM – IBM Research, Cambridge, MA

Betty Williams
Arc of Indiana, Richmond, IN

Tony Young
NISH, Vienna, VA

Helen Roth, Chair
Disability Policy Consultant, Logan, UT

Margaret Staton, Vice-Chair
ELA Foundation, Montecito, CA

The Honorable Tony Coelho, Secretary
Advocate, Arlington, VA

Cheryl Sensenbrenner, Treasurer
Advocate, Alexandria, VA


AAPD was founded in 1995 on the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

1629 K Street NW, Suite 503
Washington, DC 20006
phone: (202) 457-0046 (V/TTY)
toll-free phone: (800) 840-8844 (V/TTY)
fax: (202) 457-0473
(This fax number does not accept unsolicited advertisements.)
www.aapd.com

Member Benefits | About AAPD | Join | Disability Resources | News | Contact Us | Calendar | Home