Disability Inclusion Awareness Programs
Disability Inclusion Advocacy
Series Kick-Off
February 2019
We’re kicking off our expanded 2019 Disability
Inclusion and Advocacy Series during Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month! This year-long series of programming will begin with our annual Inclusion Art Exhibit in partnership with Special Olympics Hamilton County, which opens February 8.
Pick up a brochure or visit MayersonJCC.org to learn more about the diverse slate of programs that the J will host throughout the year, featuring nationally renowned speakers, inclusive arts programming, and local experts. Join us all year long to celebrate the importance of inclusion through the lens of education, advocacy, and innovation.
Visions for Accessibility in the 21st Century: Discussion with Emily Seelenfreund and P.G. Sittenfeld
April 1, 6:30 – 8:30pm
FREE with RSVP
Access for those with disabilities is severely lacking in many prominent cities across the U.S. Join us for an engaging conversation with disability rights activist and lawyer Emily Seelenfreund, and Cincinnati Council Member P.G. Sittenfeld. Be a part of the discussion as these two advocates frame their work in both New York City and Cincinnati, and outline the unique challenges and opportunities to make their cities more accessible for all citizens and residents.
Speaker Bios
Emily Seelenfreund joined Disability Rights Advocates as their Wolinsky Fellowship Attorney in 2017. Her work at DRA focuses on increasing education and transportation access for people with disabilities. Seelenfreund received her law degree from Harvard Law School in 2017 and her B.A. summa cum laude from the University of Alabama in 2012.
During law school she interned at Disability Rights California and the Department of Health and Human Services. Emily also worked with the Veteran’s Law and Disability Clinic, Criminal Justice Institute, and served as President of the Tenant Advocacy Project.
Prior to law school Emily taught third grade on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico as part of Teach for America. She is an avid wheelchair basketball player and was a member of the USA’s Under 23 Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team in 2011 and the World Maccabiah games in 2013. She also enjoys board games and adaptive rock climbing.
P.G. Sittenfeld is Cincinnati’s top vote-getter in the two most recent citywide elections, and is currently serving in his third term as a member of Cincinnati City Council. P.G. has been called a “Rising Star” by NBC Political Director Chuck Todd and by national media outlets like The Hill and Roll Call. P.G. is the Chair of the City Council’s Education, Innovation & Growth Committee. P.G. was twice invited to the Obama White House for initiatives he has led at City Hall.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, P.G. is a graduate of Seven Hills School, Princeton University, and was awarded a Marshall Scholarship to attend graduate school at Oxford University.
Outside of City Hall, P.G. has been professionally involved in several entrepreneurial endeavors, ranging from tech to media. His civic and volunteer activities include serving on the board of the Jewish Community Relations Council. He is married to Dr. Sarah Sittenfeld, a medical resident specializing in radiation oncology; they have a rescue dog named Oakley.
Workshop on Special Education Law and Advocacy with Carla Loon Leader
April 8, 6:30 – 8:30pm
FREE with RSVP
Do you have questions about IEPs, 504 plans, extended year services or just daily school services? Join attorney Carla Loon Leader for a seminar on Special Education Law and Advocacy. Leader’s practice focuses on special education and education rights matters, recognizing that assisting students in obtaining appropriate support and educational services to meet their unique and often complicated needs is crucial to ensuring current and future success. Child care is available for a small fee. Contact inclusion@mayersonjcc.org for more information.
Melodic Connections: Common Time Community Music Making
May 19, 1pm
FREE with RSVP
Join us for Common Time, an immersive, inclusive community-based music-making experience. We’ll share our unique gifts, make music, ask questions, and maybe leave a bit different than we were when we arrived. We will be guided by Jake Speed of Jake Speed and the Freddies who will share his unique style with us (blues, bluegrass, maybe a little funk?) in a way that everyone can participate in the music making. Common Time is for students, parents, musicians and music lovers. All ages and abilities are welcome.