Registration is FREE (box lunch provided)

Click here for registration form in Word

Click here for the agenda in Word
(or simply see below)

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For more information, send an email to enable@imagineenterprises.com

Enable America, in partnership with Imagine Enterprises and the American Express Financial Advisors invite Houstonians with disabilities, caregivers and advocates to a Town Hall Meeting for Citizenship on Thursday, May 27at the Metropolitan Multi Service Center on 1475 West Gray. The focus of the event is to increase knowledge and participation of people with disabilities and all who support them in voting, the elections process and citizenship.

Houston Mayor Bill White will keynote, speaking to over 200 people with mental, physical, emotional and sensory disabilities. County Clerk, Beverly Kaufman, a leader in creating accessible voting for people with disabilities will lead off the day event. Councilwoman Edwards will inspire the essential tools of grassroots organizing and community participation for every person – even people with disabilities. A powerful afternoon panel including State Representative John Davis, Congressman Nick Lampson and County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, will provide important current information from the Federal State and County issues that impact the lives of people with disabilities daily. The day will wrap up with an opportunity for individuals in the group to ask questions, challenge ideas and discuss the future for people with disabilities.

A major effort the Enable America and Imagine vision is the employment of people with disabilities in the typical workforce. While in America today the unemployment rate hovers between 3% and 6% for workers without disabilities, the unemployment rate of persons with disabilities is substantially higher. According to the U.S. Census, the unemployment rate is estimated to be as high as 75%. The purpose of this Disability Town Hall Meeting is to examine public policy supports and barriers that continue to prevent economic opportunity for persons with disabilities.

The Disability Town Hall Meeting will be held on May 27 at the Metropolitan MultiService Center on West Gray. The audience includes people with disabilities, family members, and caregivers to attend, learn and participate in citizenship.

AGENDA

Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center
1475 West Gray
Houston, Texas

Enable America Agenda 9:00 a.m. Exhibits and Demonstrations: Using the Harris County Voting Booth; Register to Vote; Local Services in the Metro Area

10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies

10:10 a.m. Welcoming Remarks
Mr. Richard Salem, Executive Director, Enable America, Inc.

Focus on Houston: Participation = Power = Opportunity
10:15 a.m. Beverly Kaufman, Harris County Clerk
Access to Freedom: why and how people with disabilities can be voting and participating in their future

10:45 a.m. Council Member Edwards
(focus on grass roots organizing, importance of participation in the political process)


11:45 a.m LUNCH (box lunch provided) - sponsored by American Express Financial Advisors

Keynote
12:15 Mayor Bill White
Introduction by Kym King, Director, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

State & National Panel: Participation = Power = Opportunity
12:45 pm Remarks by:
State Representative John Davis, Chair, Health and Human Services Committee
Congressman Nick Lampson
Jacqueline Smith, Dir. of Litigation & Special Tax Serv.
Facilitated by Lillian Villarreal, Chair, Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities

1:45 pm Town Hall Meeting: Open Discussion
Facilitated by Kym King,

2:15 p.m. Closing Remarks

For more information, send an email to enable@imagineenterprises.com