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PCC Students Recognized at Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California Gala

Asian and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC) Gala held on October 25, 2014

Published on Friday, October 31, 2014 | 12:19 pm
 
L-R: At the APIDC VIP RECEPTION: Daphna Patel, PCC student (leadership graduate) received a certificate of recognition from PCC, Joanne Lee, PCC student (Leadership graduate) received a certificate of recognition from PCC, Jeanne Shamim, PCC President's Asian & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee, Raymond Kwong, PCC student (Leadership graduate) received a certificate of recognition from PCC, Susanna Shamim, PCC President's Asian & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee and Peter J. Wong, APIDC Research Director. In attendance but not pictured: Linda Wah, PCC Board of Trustees, Bryan Takeda, Vice-Chair PCC President’s Asian American Pacific Islanders Activity Committee and Patty Kinaga, of the Kinaga Law Firm in LA, a Pasadena resident and Co-founder of APIDC.

On October 25, 2014, APIDC hosted its first Annual Gala at the beautiful Cicada Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. APIDC’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon the former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, for his role in supporting the historic passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is a unique opportunity to recognize Mr. Mineta’s many contributions to our country.

Mineta’s commitment to people with disabilities started back in the 1970’s when he was asked by a good friend to spend his first week as San Jose mayor in a wheelchair. It shaped his commitment to people with disabilities, which is best exemplified by his leadership in getting the transportation portions of the ADA passed. Also being honored and a great supporter, AT&T will be receiving the Corporate Leadership Award.

Diginitaries attending include: Consul General of Japan Harry Horinouchi and Mrs. Horinouchi; State Controller John Chiang; LA County Supervisor Don Knabe; West Covina City Councilmember James Toma; Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Akemi Arakaki; Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lance Ito; Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta; Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Tim Saito; Los Angeles Community College Trustee Mike Eng; and Pasadena City College Trustee Linda Wah.

Proceeds from the gala will be used to support APIDC’s outreach and educational services, including its Youth Leadership Institute and 2016 statewide conference. APIDC’s newest programs is a Leadership Institute where college students with disabilities are taught public speaking, media, advocacy, organizing and fundraising skills to become future leaders. The 2014 graduates of the inaugural Leadership Institute are continuing their participation in APIDC as Student Ambassadors. They will be introduced during the VIP Reception and will be speaking during the Program. The Student Leadership Graduates include:

Raymond Kwong, a student at Pasadena City College who has a visual disability, has been a mentor to young people with disabilities as a co-founder of Survive or Thrive, and has provided ongoing support, helping mentees practice self advocacy and independent living skills.

Joanne Lee, an international business undergraduate major at Pasadena City College is a member of the Associated Students Academic Commission, advocating on behalf of student needs, and is committed to making a difference for marginalized people. Joanne serves on the Blood Committee for the AGS Honor Society, and volunteers with the American Red Cross.

Daphna Patel, a student at Pasadena City College, is President and founding member of a campus club called Students Unlimited, which supports students with disabilities. The club has been described by college administrators as having a positive impact on students with and without disabilities.

Kevin Phung attends Rio Hondo College as a psychology major. Mark Matsui, Rio Hondo’s Director of Disabled Students Program & Services, describes how Kevin has distinguished himself as a founding member of a student organization called Active Minds, which is dedicated to erasing the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.

Silkvia To, is a rehabilitation major at California State University LA whose career goal is to work with people with disabilities.
Since 1999, APIDC has been a unique bridge between the Asian communities—traditionally under-served due to language and cultural barriers— and mainstream agencies and organizations serving people with disabilities.

Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to raising the visibility of Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) with physical, mental and developmental disabilities. APIs with disabilities are an under-served population in employment, education, health and social services due to cultural and language barriers. Created in 1999, APIDC is believed to be the only organization of its kind in the country dedicated to advocating on behalf of APIs with disabilities. It was created because many families and people with disabilities are not familiar with available resources, and because many mainstream agencies serving people with disabilities find it difficult to access our Asian communities.

APIDC convenes statewide conferences, which bring together consumers and service providers to network with each other. The conferences have been attended by hundreds of people who have reiterated the need for such conferences for information sharing, support and social networking purposes. APIDC also conducts smaller seminars to educate people about services, and provides a Speakers Series highlighting APIs with disabilities who have become local and national leaders.

 

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