[Tn-talk] FW: New Online Resources for the Disability Community

[Seay, Michael]

-----Original Message-----
From: Cantos, Ollie (CRT) [mailto:Ollie.Cantos at usdoj.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 6:41 PM
To: Seay, Michael
Subject: New Online Resources for the Disability Community

Dear Leaders:

I hope all of you have been doing well as you each continue to make your individual and collective mark in the world.

Earlier this week, on Monday, October 1, 2007, a brand new private sector venture was launched that endeavors to bring members and leaders of the disability community (along with their family, friends, and other supporters) together by centralizing information from the public, private, and non-profit sectors all in one place.  Through a phase-in process, this venture seeks to create a real community in which information and ideas are exchanged and where people may truly facilitate new and creative possibilities for collaboration at an individual and organizational level.  Best of all, the most significant potential for success derives from the organic nature of this new site.  The COMMUNITY will determine its direction, scope, focus, and approaches.  The COMMUNITY will be the one to determine its future rather than be prebuilt with preconceived ideas with the hope that it meets the needs of an ever-changing world.

As you know, I always endeavor to help bring more stakeholders together in a spirit of partnership.  This is one of the most recent such ways that people may come together at a broad-based level.  In addition to this site serving as yet another place where website content producers will extensively include important material from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the communications-oriented dynamic approach will allow emphasis to be driven by the needs of those who utilize the website's resources and take advantage of its features.  Below is further information.

Because this site is operated by a non-governmental entity, the Federal Government is not in a position to endorse it.  However, as you all know by now, I am always in favor of innovative ventures that aim to remove the kind of fractionalization that is often seen within various parts of the disability community.  If ever there are ways to promote greater unity, I personally am all for it, especially when there is a real potential to enhance opportunity and access for people with disabilities and those in their lives.  In that spirit, therefore, I am sending the following to you for your information, use, and widespread distribution as you see fit.  Plus, as you identify needs that should be met by the site, be sure to tell the builders of the site, since dialog is what it is all about.

Take good care, and I look forward to continuing to stay in touch.

--Ollie

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Disaboom .com is made for the community, by the community to be the premiere destination for anyone touched by a functional limitation or disability. Disaboom.com offers everything from features on health and living to world news, classifieds, and social networking. Disaboom.com is the online community designed to keep you connected and in the know.

Go to Disaboom.com to check out or post events in your area, read up on the latest medical news, write a review on the accessibility of businesses and restaurants, or participate in a forum. Your interest and involvement are important to us. Disaboom.com is building this community for you and by you. So log on to:

     http://www.disaboom.com/expansion.aspx  

Join today!

Lori Frisher
Vice President of Communications and Business Development
330 West 56th Street
Suite 2D
New York, N.Y. 10019
Office:  212-956-9796
Fax:  720-407-6531
Mobile: 917-710-8278
lfrisher at disaboom.com
www.disaboom.com/Expansion

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Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq.
Special Counsel to the Acting Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Room 5539
Washington, DC   20530
(202) 514-8191 (Voice)
(202) 514-0716 (TTY)
(202) 307-2839 (Fax)
Ollie.Cantos at usdoj.gov