Pac Rim 2009 Info
Keynote Speakers: Johnny Crescendo
Johnny Crescendo | Andrew J. Imparato | Lee Grossman | Billy Kenoi | Amber Smock
Tuesday May 5th, 2009: 9:00 AM -10:00 AM in Room 308B, on topic of Independent Living
“The Movement”
World famous disability rights singer songwriter Johnny Crescendo’s presentation will cover the history and future of independent living. It will cover activism and advocacy, leadership and organizing emphasizing the central message that it is people who make the difference and that from seemingly insignificant events great change can occur. Johnny will outline his hopes for the future and try to identify some of the pitfalls and mistakes of the past from which we can learn. The goals of the Independent living movement need to be broadened to include education employment and what it means to be a citizen in your community. People should leave this session thoughtful and with a way to find the power within their daily lives to move the movement forward.
Biography: Johnny Crescendo
Born in the United Kingdom, Johnny Crescendo is a disability civil rights singer and songwriter His song "Choices and Rights" became the anthem for the disabled people’s movement in Britain in the late 1980s. His song, "Tear Down the Walls" has become the anthem for the disability movement in the United States. In the UK, Johnny founded the Direct Action Network (DAN), which uses public demonstrations and non-violent civil disobedience to increase the awareness and liberation of disabled people. DAN was instrumental in getting the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 passed and for getting commitments from the government to make all transport accessible. Johnny is married to Cassie James a leading activist from the USA. They met in jail in Atlanta Georgia. They have 8 year old daughter Danielle. Johnny is also Inclusion Consultant for Liberty Resources Inc, one of the largest centers for independent living in the country. As part of this work he founded ALFIE, the Alliance for inclusive Education which works to bring a disability perspective into inclusive education.
