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Contact: Kevin Hensil

    Director of Communications

717-364-1732

kphensil@pasilc.org

PA SILC Announces New Executive Director

Zainab Jama starts August 18

HARRISBURG, Pa., August 1, 2008 – The Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PA SILC) is pleased to announce that Zainab Jama is joining the organization as executive director on August 18.  In this role, Ms. Jama will manage all operations of the PA SILC, including the implementation of the State Plan for Independent Living.

Ms. Jama has 15 years experience with Centers for Independent Living and the Independent Living movement. She was the executive director of the Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled from 2001 to 2005   In addition to her strong background in disability policy and advocacy, Ms. Jama has extensive management skills.  She comes to PA SILC from ARBOR Education and Training in Queens, New York where she worked since 2005.  As Senior Site Manger, she oversaw more than 40 people responsible for working with recipients of New York City welfare benefits who are either transitioning from welfare to work or federal disability benefits.   

“Pennsylvania is nationally recognized as a leader in the disability movement so I look forward to adding my experience and passion to those wonderful efforts,” said Jama.  “This is an extremely important time for people with disabilities to advocate for expansion of home and community-based services, accessible housing and increased access to employment.” 

A native of Somalia in Africa, Ms. Jama has been living in the United States for the past 23 years.   She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the State University of New York at Old Westbury in Long Island.   After graduation she worked as a housing counselor with Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS), where she did advocacy and referral work.  While employed at BILS, she earned her Masters Degree in Executive Management and Disabled Services. 

Milton Henderson, PA SILC Chairman, said Ms. Jama was selected following an extensive nationwide search. 

“This is a tremendous development for PA SILC and people with disabilities throughout Pennsylvania,” said Henderson.  “Ms. Jama brings a passion for the Independent Living philosophy, as well as tremendous experience with management and administration that will generate new ideas and approaches for the PA SILC and other disability advocates.”   

Ms. Jama is fluent in American Sign Language and is active with the National Council on Independent Living.  

ABOUT PA SILCThe 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 1992 to comply with the federal Rehabilitation Act Amendments, 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 a broad range of disabilities and are appointed by the Governor.  Additional representatives are from Centers for Independent Living, consumer or independent living organizations, and various state agencies.  For further information, please visit www.pasilc.org.