Gary Norman Law Blog

August 2010

Dear Speakers, Organizers, Fellow Delegates, and the Public:

This is to thank all of you for your knowledge, dedication, and commitment to disability rights. I enjoyed attending the national summit. I attended in my capacity as an attorney at the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, I attended as a Commissioner at the Maryland Commission on Human Relations. My new guide dog Pilot and I enjoyed the opportunity to engage in this informative and interesting dialogue on disability law and policy. I note that, meeting new friends and having the chance to converse, in a short way, with long-time friends, was a delight. I also desire to applaud the executive order signed by President Obama. Thus, I desire to provide reflections on the summit.

Notably, the medium of the roundtable type discussions hosted during the afternoon of Tuesday provided a helpful forum for dialogue. I met and listened to the informed views and opinions of myriad individuals at the three rounds of that forum. The breakout sessions – Conversations for Change – furnished a constructive, if short, venue through which to engage in information sharing and the exchange of candid views on policy.

The session on disability rights, which I attended, seem to ignite myriad good ideas. Specifically, I agree that Alternative Dispute Resolution, in its myriad forms, needs to be employed increasingly. At that session, I saw my friend, Lanie. Structured Negotiation is an example of such an ADR tool. I note that, through the application of this tool, she has achieved meaningful access reforms. Other ADR tools, such as Negotiated Rulemaking, must be in the quiver of advocates to enforce or implement disability law and policy.

Clearly, the intersection of older adults and disability law and policy needs to be a continued topic of discussion and policy formulation. To this end, I would refer you, Senior Mediation and Decision-Making, Inc. I agree with myriad delegates who argued that assuring the transition of people with disabilities and older adults from institutional settings to community-based housing and supports must be the goal of our people and of our government. Additionally, the Elder Justice Act finally passed as a subtitle of the overall healthcare reform legislation of March 2010 may have the effect of affecting positively the health and welfare of older adults.

Technology must be at the forefront of disability law and policy. In the Information Age, people with disabilities must have the same off-the-shelf access any other citizen. That is not the circumstance today, especially for those with sensory disabilities.

In the closing hours of the summit, a discussion of the statutory authority of the Council occurred. As the Council reviews the reauthorization of the organization, I would recommend that the issue of enforcement capabilities and authority of the agency be examined. If empowered with enhanced authority, the Council, for instance, could play a role in resolving complaints on disability issues. Further, enhancing the sensitivity of all employees at all levels of government to fellow employees and managers with disabilities as well as the public with disabilities is a critical role for the Council moving forward.

Before I attend to myriad other affairs, I should contribute my own anecdotal remembrances of when I identified, early on, as a blind person. As regards invidious discrimination, I particularly recall an issue in high school when I was considered for a seat on the planning commission of my town. I recall that an individual charged with appointing members to that body of city government expressed to my father, I could not serve, because I am blind.

In conclusion, I wish the enactment of the landmark legislation of the Americans with Disabilities Act happy birthday. Unfortunately, much progress yet remains for the millions of people in the United States who either are considered or self-identify as disabled. As a lawyer with a disability, I hope to be and continue to be a tour de force in our civil rights movement. I look forward to collaborating with myriad of you moving forward. Finally, I hope that the dialogue fostered by and captured at the summit by delegates and leaders across the government will be actualized in coming months and years.

Yours,

Gary C. Norman, Esq.

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I write to provide an update on a couple of subjects. First, as I have finally received the video from my national award I received in Florida in September 2009, I shall reflect on that honor. Second, I recently led a team of talented individuals in hosting the first of its kind, a Mid Atlantic regional animal law symposium.
In September 2009, I attended a lavish awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida. A national civic association named the Jaycees of the United States bestowed its prestigious, national award, Ten Outstanding Young Americans, on me. I recently received the video of that ceremony. As I reviewed its contents, I was honored, once again.
Having an award bestowed on you, that the likes of Elvis Presley, a favorite musical artist of mine as well as noted individuals, such as, President Kennedy received, constitutes an amazing experience, to be sure. Occasions of the quality of the weekend in Florida exist beyond the day, staying in the memory for a lifetime. As such, I must express my gratitude to the Jaycees of the United States for the award.
They provided transportation, lodging, and a beautiful trophy.
People with disabilities comprised three of the recipients. However, I note that Langer was the only assistance dog in the crowd, either as a, albeit unenthusiastic spectator, or award recipient. Myriad people with disabilities, however, have not experienced the vistas of victory or the pitfalls of defeat.
Whereas people with disabilities are often doing good work that deserves such a prestigious accolade, repugnant, endemic discrimination exists, precluding robust opportunities for personal and professional contribution, dedication, and service of such individuals. People with disabilities are unfortunately segregated to lower expectations, closed out from equal involvement in our great republic, and ultimately subject to depression and a sense of hopelessness. I am not immune to these previously mentioned emotions, perceptions, and sentiments. In that I constitute an attorney, mediator, and recently, an appointed civil rights Commissioner, many individuals would only cognize me in the following degree; that is, all I am, is a blind person.
Conversely, a popular philosopher of the mid 20th Century once argued, [there is a power in positive thinking.]
The great work of our republic in the never-ending march towards progress is to ensure increasing inclusion and integration of historically marginalized groups. For all of our historical infirmities of the democratic spirit, (e.g., slavery), over time, the United States has evolved to be that preverbal city of a hill, incorporating the talents of many. Much work yet remains; a tour de force in which, I am confident, the Jaycees of the United States can serve.
In April 2010, I had the opportunity for personal and professional development. I led a team of talented leaders in hosting a regional animal law symposium at the University Of Baltimore School Of Law.
During the day of the symposium on April 9, 2010, and since the symposium, I have received myriad congratulatory missives from attendees and speakers.
Leading the symposium and establishing an award in the name of a friend who passed were goals of my term as Chair of the Animal Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association.
As I have expressed privately, thanks to the myriad sponsors of the symposium, including but not limited to, the Professional Animal Workers of Maryland and the Yabba Pot Café. Additionally, the symposium would have not been possible but for the dedication of talented, young leaders, Joshua L. freedman, Deputy Chair, Cheryl Leahy, General Counsel at Compassion Over Killing and Associate Chair, and Gina Miller, President of the Student Animal Legal defense Fund student organization at the law school. Moreover, thanks to Jack Casper, a retired veterinarian, who served on the steering committee, moderated a panel for me, and provided a connection to the Maryland veterinarian community – an important network as we endeavored to cause the symposium to be inter-disciplinary in nature.
I note that, for more information about the symposium, visit animalsymposium.com.
On another note, I should express my thanks to my side kick Langer with whom I have been a partner for the past nine years. As always in his career of partnership with me, he served as unofficial advisor, dog in residence, to the symposium. In June of this year, Langer will retire to a life of leisure. I will acquire another guide dog after Langer retires.
In sum, I hope that I have been able to and will continue to overcome these lower expectations, providing valuable public service. I am honored to be an American, and now, to be a member of the local area Jaycees. Knowing myriad fine leaders, such as, the folks mentioned above, honors me in that, by their example, I have developed further as a leader.
Sincerely,

Gary C. Norman, Esq.

Re: Accolades Spring 2009

Recognition by the community is an honor.

On April 25, 2009, the Brunswick High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, the Brunswick Education Foundation and myriad local sponsors hosted a ceremony in the East cafeteria of the high school. I was inducted into the hall of fame. Several local civic and business luminaries attended the ceremony. My dog guide and my beautiful wife as well as myriad members of my family, including, my father, attended this ceremony. Jazz music played as attendees supped on a repast furnished by local sponsors. Several other individuals were inducted a long with me.

I have respect, and desire to express my gratitude, to the citizens of the great state of Ohio and of its highly ranked community of Brunswick of Medina County. I am the youngest individual to have ever been bestowed with this accolade. I realize that induction into the hall of fame represents a somber acknowledgement of the contributions of former students to the community. In addition, a community park on whose paths I have walked on myriad a day is named in honor of one of the 2009 inductees – a fallen veteran of the Vietnam War.

A pre-determined individual furnished introductory remarks about each inductee. I received the special honor of having my introduction performed by the out-going CEO of the school system. The newspaper reported that he served as my principle when I was a student matriculated at the high school.

He is not only a former inductee, but is also an affable and skilled man. Moreover, a video in which I shall appear and in which I shall furnish my extensive contemplations on this milestone, will appear in coming weeks. I am also honor to be the recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award from Wright State University.

I received this accolade at a ceremony hosted on May 15, 2009. The alumni association hosted a beautiful ceremony on campus, at the art gallery. I was honored to have the presence of myriad friends and family at the ceremony, including, my supportive wife. I received a beautiful plaque decorated in the colors of the university. The alumni association also bestowed me with the accolade of a commendation by the Mayor of the City of Dayton. I delivered remarks at the ceremony, which emphasized my gratitude for the accolade. I also emphasized the proud tradition of the University to access and diversity, especially, as pertains to the special concerns of students with disabilities. Moreover, I received a wonderful commendation a week or so after the ceremony by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Ohio General Assembly, which recognized my award.

In the words of one author, “no man is an island on to themselves.” I possess gratitude for the assistance of myriad individuals, who have served as a friend or mentor at some point. I am certain that the video for the hall of fame and other information about these two accolades will be available on or through a web-link at this website in coming weeks. Therefore, thanks, once again for these prestigious accolades.

Until next time, I am your continued native son and servant,

Gary C. Norman, Esq.