A Conversation with Andrew Imparato

Speakers

Andrew Imparato
Andrew Imparato
Executive Director Disability Rights California
Barry Whaley
Barry Whaley
Project Director – Southeast ADA Center

Description

In this episode, Barry Whaley, Southeast ADA Center Project Director, sits down with Andy Imparato, executive director of Disability Rights California. Mr. Imparato discusses his personal and professional background and how his experiences have led him to his current position. He explains his journey from understanding his own disability and passion for disability rights issues to working for Senator Tom Harkin to becoming a national disability advocate. He also shares the lessons he learned about disability advocacy and disability rights.

Mr. Imparato discusses the disability benefit system and describes the need for reform. Replacing the medical model of disability, so deeply rooted within policies, with the social model of disability will be difficult. However, he believes the best way to improve services for people with disabilities is to focus the work of passionate leaders who understand these issues on fixing the broken welfare system and reforming programs like Medicaid that many disabled people struggle with.

Summary

  • Imparato discusses his personal and professional background and how his experiences have led him to his current position.
  • He explains his journey from understanding his own disability and passion for disability rights issues to working for Senator Tom Harkin to becoming a national disability advocate.
  • He also shares the lessons he learned about disability advocacy and disability rights.
  • Imparato discusses the disability benefit system and describes the need for reform. Replacing the medical model of disability, so deeply rooted within policies, with the social model of disability will be difficult.
  • The best way to improve services for people with disabilities is to focus the work of passionate leaders who understand these issues on fixing the broken welfare system and reforming programs like Medicaid that many disabled people struggle with.