Summer 2005

A Message from the Committee Chair

Dear Colleagues:

We have now completed another productive school year. We have had wonderful speakers at our General Membership Meetings from the UFT, government agencies and private organizations, had outreach tables at many UFT events and terrific off-site events planned at the Museum of Modern Art, the Cajun Restaurant, Silver Swan Restaurant and the Chiam Chinese Cuisine Restaurant. We saw Brooklyn Botanic Gardens photos of plants, saw art work by member Phyllis Kahn, saw paintings by Picasso and Kandinsky up close, tasted wonderful food arranged by Beverly Warmbrand and Bonita Gibson, heard the jazz singing of member Roni Washam, met political activists through member Norma Hart and learned about laws and accommodations that affect us through speakers arranged by Abbe Nosoff. Our steering committee, consisting of all of the above people plus myself and George Fesko, Larry Cantor, Geraldine Klemm, Barbara Miller, Grace Witko, and Jonas Bright (I apologize if I left anyone out!) helped plan all these events.

Most importantly, working through our staff, Eugene Rubin, George Fesko, Abbe Nosoff and Bonita Gibson, we were able to help many, many UFT members get reasonable accommodations in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

We have nearly completed the planning of our big, full day, Disability Awareness Conference, Saturday, Oct. 29, at UFT Headquarters, 52 Broadway, which will include breakfast and lunch. We hold this event once every two years. This year our theme will be “New York City at Your Doorstep” and will feature institutions and organizations around our town that have programs and accommodations for people with disabilities.

We will also have updated information on legal and governmental matters related to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Watch for registration materials in mailings and on our Web site (www.uft.org. click on Member Services, Health Services, Capably Disabled Members). I hope to see you there.

It has been a privilege serving as chair of this committee and I thank everyone who has been involved: our staff, steering committee members and those who ask to be on our mailing list who, by doing so, also show their commitment and support.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Herbst, Committee Chair