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Press Releases

AAPD Interfaith Initiative Director Ginny Thornburgh honored for advocacy and outreach

May 16, 2012  |  Lara Schwartz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 16, 2012
Contact: Lara Schwartz, VP of External Affairs

202 521 4309

lschwartz@aapd.com

“Her work on inclusion and accessibility has enriched thousands of faith communities and congregations, bringing diversity and energy to them,” said AAPD President and CEO Mark Perriello

Washington, D.C. – The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest cross-disability civil rights organization, announced that Ginny Thornburgh, AAPD’s Interfaith Initiative Director, will be honored in New York City at the United Spinal “From Within” conference on Saturday, May 19.  “From Within” is an annual event focusing on issues that affect women with disabilities.  Ms. Thornburgh will be honored for her four decades of advocacy and outreach and will be the conference’s keynote speaker.

Ginny Thornburgh serves as Director of the Interfaith Initiative at AAPD. In this role, she promotes spiritual and religious access for people with disabilities and accessibility and full participation in congregations of all faiths. Through her work, she brings the voice of the religious community in support of the disability rights agenda.  Her publications include That All May Worship: An Interfaith Welcome to People with disabilities; Loving Justice: The ADA and the Religious Community; and From Barriers to Bridges: A Community Action Guide for Congregations and People with Disabilities. Most recently, Ginny spearheaded Amazing Gifts: Stories of Faith, Disability and Inclusion.  Amazing Gifts, is a collection of 64 stories presented by noted writer Mark Pinsky, with a foreword by Ginny.  Read excerpts of the book here:  http://www.aapd.com/what-we-do/interfaith/amazing-gifts-stories-of.html

As facilitator of AAPD’s Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC), Ginny works to mobilize the religious community to speak out and take action on disability policy issues.  Visit IDAC’s Facebook page to learn more: http://www.facebook.com/InterfaithDisabilityAdvocacyCoalition

For Ginny’s full bio, visit:  http://www.aapd.com/what-powers-us/our-team/staff/ginny-thornburgh.html

“I am so pleased that United Spinal recognizes the role that spiritual life plays in our health and wellbeing,” said Thornburgh. “For many people with disabilities, access to faith is just as important as access to education, employment, transportation, health care and community. It is an honor to bring AAPD’s interfaith message to the “From Within” Conference,” she added.

“On behalf of AAPD’s board, staff, and members, I congratulate Ginny on this well-deserved honor,” said AAPD president and CEO Mark Perriello. “She has provided decades of service to the disability community.  Her work on inclusion and accessibility has enriched thousands of faith communities and congregations, bringing diversity and energy to them.  The AAPD Interfaith Initiative is an integral component of AAPD’s civil rights mission that of building a stronger movement for social justice. Ginny is a passionate advocate of that vision,” he added.

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The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest disability rights organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change. To learn more, visit the AAPD Web site: www.aapd.com.

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