About the SARTAC Advisory Board
The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) receives advice and guidance through an advisory board of self advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities from around the country. The 13 members of the advisory board meet on a monthly basis through teleconference calls and online forums to provide input on the work being done by SARTAC staff and its grant partners. Advisory members also serve as a think tank for the project and help form the policy positions of SARTAC on a variety of issues that affect people with a variety of different disabilities.
Once a year, SARTAC advisory board members meet face-to-face to discuss the progress being made in achieving the goals and objectives of SARTAC, and to learn about issues facing people with disabilities throughout the country. The face-to-face meeting also provides an opportunity for its members to meet and network with other self advocates from around the country.
To submit resources go to SARTAC's I Want to Share a Resource Page!
Meet the Advisory Board Members
Bernard Baker
Georgia
I am the current president of People First of Georgia and a founding member. I am considered by many to be a disability civil rights pioneer. I have been there from the beginning. I fought to get the ADA passed and continue to lead.
Brad Linnenkamp
Kansas
My focus is on training self advocates and empowering them to use their voices. I participate in advocacy events locally, statewide and nationally. I want the future of self advocacy to be in good hands.
Cheri Mitchell
Georgia
I am a former president of People First of Georgia and a leader. I love making a difference in people's lives. I do it every day in my work with self advocates and in my job at the Georgia’s P&A, the Georgia Advocacy office.
Chester Finn
New York
I am employed by NYS OPWDD (New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities). I served 3 terms as National President of SABE (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered) and I am the past President of SANYS (Self Advocacy Association of NYS).
David Frye
Vermont
I am a board member of Green Mountain Self Advocates. In 2011, I began LGBTQA Support Groups for People with disabilities with the Pride Center of Vermont. I am working on expanding the network by reaching out to people with disabilities that are LGBTQA.
David Taylor
Michigan
I speak to congress about Medicaid cuts and the Affordable Care Act. I’m also a co-founder and on the board of Self-Advocates of MI.
I love working out, driving golf-carts, watching football, camping, listening to music, and hanging out with family.
Emily Rogers
Washington
I have a lifelong developmental disability. I worked in the developmental disability community in Washington State for my career. I have spent 15 years working in the advocacy arena teaching self advocacy skills and doing statewide legislative advocacy.
Finn Gardiner
Massachusetts
I am a Master of Public Policy student at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. I am the Regional Policy Analyst for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, where I build liaisons with local nonprofits and government agencies to advance disability rights, create disability-centric policy briefs, and approach policymakers to adopt laws that benefit the autistic community and people with disabilities generally.
Jean Searle
Pennsylvania
I do a lot of different stuff like talking to Legislatures about different stuff like ACA which is Health Care for all and maybe others that is important to everyone.
Jeiri Flores
New York
My name is Jeiri Flores (pronounced Jay-ree) and I am from Rochester, New York. I live self advocacy. I am on committees, I volunteer at different events, and I also teach others how to be self advocates.
Krista Howard
Arizona
I SPEAK up about my needs and wants and in groups to help each other for self advocate.
I would like to start or work in self-advocates to grow people up and homeless people with mentally and physical disabilities too.
Nicole LeBlanc
Maryland
I am originally from VT, I now live in Silver Spring Maryland. Mobilize my peers to stop back breaking budget cuts on the backs of the disability community-AKA SAVE Medicaid!
Thelma Green
Washington, DC
I was born in Baltimore, MD and grew up in Brown Town, MD until I was about 10 years old. Then I moved into Washington, DC and I have lived there ever since. I am involved in a grant from the DOJ called Project Peer which focuses on women with disabilities and sexual and physical violence issues.