13th Annual Northeastern U.S. Conference on disABILITY
- Electronic Registration
Registration is closed for this year's conference.
- Paper Registration
Registration is closed for this year's conference.
- disABILITY Conference Mission
The University of Scranton believes that disability is part of the human experience and that assisting individuals and families living with disabilities to achieve optimal quality of life requires multidisciplinary interventions, education, research and leadership. The mission of the Conference on disABILITY is to positively influence the quality of life and wellness of individuals and families living with disabilities by promoting in its deliberations the foundational principles of individualization, self-determination, productivity, employment, independence and full participation in community life by creating an effective learning environment, collaborative and focused discussion and the identification and sharing of effective practices useful in the United States and around the world.
- Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D.
- President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop of Louisville, Ky.
Elected President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on November 12, 2013,
Archbishop Kurtz serves on the executive and administrative committees of that body. He is the vice
chancellor of the board of the Catholic Extension Society and serves on the boards of numerous
organizations, including: Catholic University of America, the National Catholic Bioethics Center,
St. Charles Seminary, Leadership Louisville, and the Advisory Board to the Cause for Archbishop
Fulton Sheen’s beatification.His Holiness Benedict XVI appointed Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. as the fourth Archbishop
and ninth bishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville in 2007. He was installed as Archbishop of Louisville
on August 15, 2007. Previoiusly, Archbishop Kurtz served as Bishop of Knoxville from 1999 to 2007.
Archbishop Kurtz was born in Mahanoy City, Pa., earned bachelor and master of divinity degrees
from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia and a master’s degree in social work from
Marywood University. Before becoming Bishop of Knoxville, he served for 27 years in the Diocese
of Allentown, Pa.Archbishop Kurtz is known as an advocate for persons with disabilities and his lifelong devotion
to his brother, Georgie, who had Down’s Syndrome. His keynote address will discuss disability from
a faith-based perspective.
- Janet L. LaBreck
Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education
Although Commissioner Janet LaBreck lost her vision by the age of ten, she has never let her disability get
in the way of her dreams. In 2007, after more than 20 years as an advocate for the blind community, LaBreck
was appointed Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind by Governor Deval Patrick.
As an ambassador for more than 30,000 legally blind residents, LaBreck has organized campaigns that have
effectively increased employment opportunities for the blind. There is no better testament to her profound
influence than the Commission’s award-winning internship program which is being replicated throughout the
country. In August of 2013, the United States Senate confirmed Commissioner LaBreck as the Commissioner
of Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) within the United States Department of Education.
- Kathleen West-Evans
Director of Business Relations for the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)
Kathleen West-Evans has more than 30 years of vocational rehabilitation and employment experience and
is fluent in American Sign Language. Kathleen worked within the Washington State Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation as a VR counselor, assistant regional administrator, and a regional business relations specialist
before moving to the federal level with Region X office of the RSA, where she worked until 2005. Currently,
she is the founder and lead staff person for development of the National Employment Team — the national
Vocational Rehabilitation-Business Network. The network serves business customers, VR consumers with
disabilities, and the 80 state vocational rehabilitation agencies.
- Conference Co-Chairs
Lori Bruch, Ed.D.
e-mail: bruchl1@scranton.edu
voice: 570-941-4308
fax: 570-941-7950
Rebecca Spirito Dalgin, Ph.D.
e-mail: dalginr2@scranton.edu
voice: 570-941-7819
fax: 570-941-7950
- Conference Brochure/Schedule of Events
- Become a Corporate Sponsor
As with all special events, it is so important to have support from dedicated sponsors to achieve success. Our financial sponsors and participating vendors are an essential part of the conference experience. We invite your organization to join us in the celebration. Several packages are offered to meet your corporate needs and donation comfort level.
To receive a sponsorship packet, please contact:
Meg Hambrose, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Email: margaret.hambrose@scranton.edu
Phone: (570) 941-4262
- Co-Sponsors
- Other Sponsors
