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Peter Yarrow  of
Peter Paul and Mary
Kenny Miller Life has not always been easy for Kenny, as is the case for many people with
disabilities. Kenny, who has the label of autism, has experienced verbal, physical, and
mental abuse that most of us can't even imagine. Despite those negative experiences, Kenny
is the first to acknowledge that there have been many changes for the better over the
years, due in a large part to others like Kenny who have spoken up and said "I'm a
person too." Now Kenny's mission is to raise awareness that we all have abilities and
disabilities. "The truth is people with disabilities would rather have you focus on
their abilities rather than their disabilities." Kenny has concentrated on his
strengths as a speaker and a teacher to form his own consulting and training business. And
says: "Sometimes people can't see my abilities because they don't have the ability to
look over my disability. My job as a speaker is to give them that talent." Kenny will
share views and lessons on abilities, careers, and how to be successful in life. Mary Falvey Mary will share her beliefs regarding "The evolution of inclusive education
~ Where we have been, where we are, and the critical actions that are needed to keep the
momentum." Mary bases this perspective upon her experiences and passion as an
educator, advocate, parent and community activist. She is a long-time TASH member,
Editorial Board Member of Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities
(RPSD); Cal-TASH Chapter Officer, and a past International Board member of TASH. Mary is
the Director of Student Services in the Charter College of Education at California State
University, Los Angeles (CSULA) where she is responsible for admission into credential
programs, student teaching, and credential recommendations to the California Commission on
Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). She coordinated the credential and masters programs in
moderate/severe disabilities, as well as the masters program in Inclusion Facilitation at
CSULA for 25 years. Mary has written, edited, and contributed chapters to over 14 books
and has written 4 books of her own, the most recent: Believe in My Child with Special
Needs was published by Paul Brookes Publishing Company |
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Based
on his passionate belief that music can be a particularly powerful
organizing tool as well as a source of inspiration for children, Peter has
incorporated the music of Peter, Paul and Mary that inspired generations
of activism since the 1960s, as well as a song called “Don’t Laugh at
Me” penned by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin, in his venture. This
song, with its arresting lyrics “Don’t laugh at me. Don’t call me
names. Don’t get your pleasure from my pain.” serves as an anthem for
the growing movement to build safer and more respectful school
environments for children. Over the years, many issues have moved Peter to
commit his time and talent, and his creative and organizational
achievements have given Peter the wisdom and experience to address what he
considers to be perhaps his most meaningful undertaking to date:
“Operation Respect: Don’t Laugh at Me.” This nonprofit organization
works to transform schools, camps, and organizations focused on children
and youth into more compassionate, safe, and respectful environments.
Peter Yarrow’s life and work, culminating in the founding of
“Operation Respect," embrace the premise that if each person can
articulate his or her own voice and join with others, together they can
become a powerful force for the transformation of society.
