YAI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - DESIGNING THE FUTURE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES - April 28 - May 1, 2014

YAI will host its 2014 International Conference on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in New York City on April 28 - May 1 at the New York Hilton Midtown, 1335 Avenue of the Americas in midtown Manhattan. Every year for more than three decades, the YAI Network has sponsored the Annual International Conference, which attracts an audience of more than 3,000 professionals, family members and people with disabilities. People from all over the world come together to learn and share insights on critical issues.

The YAI Network provides a full range of health and human services to people of all ages with developmental and learning disabilities and their families. Each year, thousands of babies are diagnosed at birth. More children exhibit symptoms during infancy or later. Still others develop a disability as the result of an injury or illness before age 22. The term "developmental disability" covers a broad range of diagnoses that include intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and learning disabilities.

The conference is designed to provide attendees with hands-on access to innovative ideas, new models of services and new thinking at a time where change is a necessity, not a choice. Please see the following link to a full press release about the conferencehttp://www.yai.org/about/newsroom/press-releases/2014-yai-conference-april.html.

Program Keynotes:

• Thorkil Sonne, President, Specialisterne USA, will discuss "The Power of Difference" during the opening keynote session onMonday, April 28, 9 a.m - noon. Specialisterne USA assesses, trains and employs individuals with autism as consultants in IT and other tech sectors.
• Mike Veny, Mental Health Speaker, Drumming Workshop Facilitator, will explore "Transforming Stigma into Strength" during Monday's keynote session.
• Stephen Ritz, Founder of Green Bronx Machine; Green Initiative Educator; U.S. Green Building Council Ambassador; 1% For The Planet National Ambassador, will present "Farming for the Future: Investing in Your Community to Change the World" during Monday's keynote session from 9 a.m.-noon. Green Bronx Machine is dedicated to changing mind-sets and landscapes while harvesting hope and cultivating opportunities inclusively for everyone.
• Francoise LeGoues, Vice President of Transformation, YAI, and former Vice President of Innovation, Office of the CIO, IBM, will delve into "The Meaning of Transformation" during Monday's keynote session.
• Wendy Mayer, Vice President of Worldwide Innovation at Pfizer, will deliver a keynote address at Premier HealthCare Training Institute's 13th Annual Full-Day Conference "Patients with Complex Needs: Creating a Value-Based Model of Care," on Wednesday, April 30.  She will present at 11 a.m. on "How to Inspire an Environment for Creating Innovation."
• Rick Guidotti, Founder, Positive Exposure and an award-winning fashion photographer, will present "Beauty for Change" during Monday's keynote session.
• Al Condeluci, CEO, Community Living and Support Services (CLASS), will return to explore Social Capital: The Key to Community, during Monday's keynote session. He also will present an expanded workshop, 1:30-4:30 p.m., later that day. Attendees will learn first-hand how to develop a blueprint for change, 9 a.m-noon, Tuesday.
• Tamar Heller, Professor and Head, Dept. of Disability and Human Development; Director, Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities, University of Illinois at Chicago, will host a special session for family caregivers, 5:30-7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 30. She also will present 9 a.m.-noon, on Thursday, May 1, as part of the aging track.