SEN. KITCHEN ANNOUNCES DISABILITIES SYMPOSIUM 

            PHILADELPHIA, August 26 – State Sen. Shirley Kitchen today announced the upcoming Bridging the Gap Disabilities Symposium.

            The free event, which is co-hosted by Physically Enabled and Cognitively Empowered (PEACE), will take place on Friday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at Triumph Baptist Church, located at 1648 W. Hunting Park Ave. 

            “Society has taken so many important steps to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities,” Kitchen said.  “This symposium is a great opportunity to learn about all the resources that are available today, in our own community.”

            Angela V. Lundy, founder and executive director of Interfaith Specialty Services, Inc., will moderate the event, which includes guest speakers Jamie Ray from the Center for Disability Law and Policy; Tom Earle, executive director of Liberty Resources, Inc.; Barbara A. Dively, director of Acquired Brain Injury Network of Pennsylvania; Roger Margulies, the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and other successful grass root disability advocacy groups.

            Lundy is deaf with other disabling conditions and fully realizes the power of information in helping the well-being of people living with disabilities.

            “It is my vision that this symposium will begin to bridge the gap through connectivity and communication,” said Lundy.

            Interfaith Specialty Services, Inc., of which P.E.A.C.E. is a sub-division, is a faith-based outreach program that serves the disabled by assisting churches, theological seminaries and organizations on the fundamentals of services and resources for people living with disabilities. 

            PEACE seeks to gather people with physical, mental and sensory challenges to inform, empower and serve as a connecting bridge to full access in places of worship and the community at large.

            Triumph Baptist Church is accessible for all physical disabilities and sign language interpreters and guides for the blind will be provided. Free off-street parking is available as well. Refreshments will be served.