Upcoming Ask the Expert - The State Budget

[Guest guest]

September `Ask the Expert'

Join us for a discussion with

Tony auski, Executive Director of the Arc of Illinois

Monday, Sept. 15th through Friday, Sept. 19th

Topics: The state budget and its impact on community supports and

services, how to make changes to the system & how it has happened in

other states. He can also address questions about the Arc of

Illinois, Arc U.S., Illinois Life Span, or the Family Support

Network.

How this works: IPADD members, simply start posting questions to

Tony on Monday, in the subject line be sure to put " Question for

Tony " or 'Ask the Expert' so he can easily pick out which posts are

addressed to him. He will respond to questions via return post to

the entire group so that we all have access to the information.

It's as easy as that!

About Tony:

Tony auski, a native Chicagoan and proud south-sider, is a

graduate of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, where he majored

in Special Education. Tony has been a high school Special Education

teacher and was an Executive Director of a local Arc of Illinois

chapter for 19 years.

Tony solidified his position as a leading advocate and accepted the

position of Executive Director at The Arc of Illinois in 1991. The

Arc of Illinois is a not-for-profit organization which advocates on

behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities. Through the

years, Tony has made it his priority, and that of Arc Board Members,

to educate and inform as many people as possible on the importance

of issues such as providing inclusive community supports for

individuals with developmental disabilities, ending the wait for

community supports and turnover of direct care staff.

Some of The Arc legislation filed under Tony's leadership include

the Waiting List, Early Intervention, Special Education Transition,

Brittany's Law, Age 21 Special Education, Staff Wages and Benefits,

Prohibition of Aversive Behavior Techniques and the elimination of

the Death Penalty for mentally retarded, to name a few.

In June, 2008, Tony was appointed Chairman of the Blue Ribbon

Committee on Paratransit. This Committee focuses its efforts on

three areas, paratransit service issues, governance and structure of

Pace's ADA advisory committee, and customer feedback and

communication.

Tony was also appointed by the Governor to the Disability Services

Advisory Committee and sits on numerous committees and advisory

bodies.

Tony is considered, both state-wide and nationally, a strong

advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their

families. He is a registered lobbyist with the State of Illinois

and produces communications with Arc Members, which is available on

the Arc website, www.thearcofil.org. Tony can frequently be heard

speaking at State and National seminars and conventions, reminding

caregivers, families and legislators what's most important in

providing services for individuals with disabilities: community

inclusion, independence and choice.

The Arc of Illinois is a non-profit organization which advocates on

behalf of people with mental retardation and other developmental

disabilities. The Arc was founded in 1950 by parents whose

children had developmental disabilities. Over the years, The Arc

has risen as a leading organization that seeks to ensure the

stability and support of services for individuals with disabilities.