PA SILC Executive Director Corey L. Rowley Appointed to the

American Association of People with Disabilities Board of Directors

Largest Disability Advocacy Organization in U.S.

HARRISBURG, Pa., August 14, 2007 ­– Corey L. Rowley, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PA SILC), has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). As the largest cross-disability membership organization in the county, AAPD organizes the disability community to be a powerful force for change: economically, socially, and politically.

"We are delighted to have a grassroots leader with the national reputation and skills of Corey Rowley joining the AAPD Board of Directors," said Andrew Imparato, the CEO of AAPD.  "Corey is joining the board at a time when AAPD is trying to build its presence outside of Washington, D.C., and she is the perfect person to help us develop that strategy."

Rowley has been active in the disability community for more than 14 years and is a recognized leader in advocacy, lobbying and the legislative process.  She has successfully authored and negotiated several bills that have been passed by Congress and signed into law by the president. 

Rowley has received two prestigious awards in the past year, including a 2006 Justice for All award from AAPD.  The award recognizes those who are extraordinary champions of political and economic empowerment for people with disabilities.  In July she received the Frank Harkin Memorial Award for civil rights advocacy from the National Council on Independent Living.

“Corey’s appointment to the AAPD board is further evidence of the respect and influence she has in the national disability movement,” said Milton Henderson, PA SILC Chairman.  “She will bring the powerful and dynamic perspective of people with disabilities in Pennsylvania to the board.”

Rowley has been with the Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council for four years. 

ABOUT PA SILC

The Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PA SILC) is a nonprofit, cross-disability, consumer-controlled organization dedicated to securing public policies that ensure civil rights for people with disabilities by supporting the independent living philosophy. 

The PA SILC was established in 1987 to comply with the federal "Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986" (P.L.99-506), which requires states to create a consumer-controlled advisory committee to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation's Independent Living Program.  In 1992, the federal Rehabilitation Act Amendments gave SILC co-signing authority on the federally-mandated State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL).

In compliance with state and federal law, a majority of the voting PA SILC members are persons with disabilities and are appointed by the Governor.  Additional representatives are from Centers for Independent Living, consumer or independent living organizations, and various state agencies.