Bio – ADA30 Summit 2020

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Sen. Tom Harkin represented Iowa in the U.S. Congress for more than four decades. He served Iowa’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1985 and was a U.S. Senator from 1985 to 2015. Sen. Harkin’s legacy policy priorities have included federal farm policy, civil rights for Americans with disabilities, childhood nutrition and food access, healthcare access and reform, labor issues, and access to and improvement of education. He co-authored the Americans with Disabilities Act and was its chief sponsor in the Senate. He lives in the house where he was born in Cumming, Iowa.

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Born in Pittsburgh’s Steel Valley and raised in Erie, PA, Governor Tom Ridge is well known as one of our nation’s most respected public servants. From his decorated service in Vietnam to Congress, from the Governor’s Office to serving as our nation’s first Homeland Security Secretary, he is well respected across the nation and overseas. A strong and visionary leader, he has gained a deserved reputation as an innovator, not an ideologue and is esteemed by individuals on both sides of the aisle.

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Tony Coelho is a former United States congressman from California, and primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tony was elected to Congress in 1978 and served for six terms until 1989. He served on the Agriculture, Interior, Veterans Affairs, and Administration Committees during his tenure, specializing in disabled rights. [continue reading…]

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Victoria Arlen’s life drastically changed in 2006 at the tender age of eleven when she developed two rare conditions known as Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. This was an incredibly rare scenario and Victoria quickly lost the ability to speak, eat, walk and move. She slipped into a vegetative state in which doctors had written her off as a lost cause. Victoria spent nearly four years “locked” inside her own body completely aware of what was going on just unable to move or communicate. Doctors believed there was little hope of survival and recovery was unlikely. In 2010 after almost four years she began the nearly impossible fight back to life. Learning how to speak, eat and move all over again. [continue reading…]

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Vincenzo Piscopo is a seasoned Public & Community Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility professional with 25 years of experience both in the US and internationally.

Piscopo is the CEO of United Spinal Association. Before being named CEO in November 2020, he was a Community and Stakeholder Relations Director at The Coca-Cola Company where he was a Champion for Coca-Cola in the community, through cultivation of strategic relationships with Veterans, People with Disability and Hispanic serving organizations. His passion for diversity and inclusion and social causes earned him national recognition for elevating The Coca-Cola Company’s reputation in disability inclusion. [continue reading…]

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Vivian G. Bass was elected as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Jewish Women International (JWI) in July 2016.

Bass has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life, independence and community inclusion and dignity of persons with disabilities throughout the Washington, D.C., area, nationally and internationally. She became the CEO Emeritus of The Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH) in June 2016 subsequent to serving for 30 years at the helm of the agency, which ultimately grew to 77 residential locations via a wide variety of models, two innovative transition youth programs, a staff of 260, and having $28 million in total assets. As JFGH continued to become a model for more than 25 communities over five continents, Bass travelled extensively, mentoring these communities wishing to emulate the JFGH Program. [continue reading…]

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Zachary “Zack” Gottsagen is an award-winning actor and star of 2019 indie hit “The Peanut Butter Falcon.” While filming with Zeno Mountain Farm in Los Angeles, Zack met Tyler Nielson and Michael Schwartz, the writers and directors of “The Peanut Butter Falcon.” Tyler and Mike were so taken with Zack’s personality and talent that they wrote the script for “The Peanut Butter Falcon” incorporating Zack’s mannerisms, ways of expressing himself, innocence, enthusiasm and joy for life into the lead character role. [continue reading…]

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Zazel-Chavah O’Garra (she, her) is a brain tumor survivor, disability advocate, social worker, dancer, actress, model, and founder and artistic director of ZCO/DANCEPROJECT. O’Garra holds a Master’s degree in social work from Fordham University, and currently works with the Brain Injury Association of New York State and YAI/National Institute for people with disabilities.

O’Garra became a disabled artist 18 years ago. Having faith pushed her to “dance beyond a disability.” She shares the resurrection as a disabled artist by creating customized movements for persons with mixed abilities; demonstrating directly that physical challenges need not limit a passion for living a fulfilling life. Before founding the ZCO/DANCEPROJECT, Zazel established a thriving career in the performing arts. Her body of work included performances on the concert stage, Broadway, Off-Broadway, European Tours, national commercials and magazine publications. In fact, her modeling career included the covers of EssenceMagazine.

In her free time, when not teaching or performing or working with clients, O’Garra enjoys travelling to her parents’ homeland in Montserrat, West Indies. When in Montserrat, O’Garra delights in visiting its beautiful beaches, marveling in the volcano observatory and eating the native cuisine. She is a fan of soccer, basketball and cricket and enjoys collecting unique African American artwork.