HSI HOSTS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE WHITE HOUSE DOMESTIC POLICY COUNCIL (10/19/2006)
MEDIA NOTE: Due to US Government and White House regulations, Cantos will be unable to participate in any media interviews. However, HSI representatives will be available for comment on his visit.
Reno, Nev. - Olegario "Ollie" D. Cantos VII, the Associate Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council in the Executive Office of the President, will visit HSI (High Sierra Industries) on Monday, Oct. 16 at 8 a.m. to learn more about the organization and its work to serve people with disabilities in northern Nevada.
Blind since birth, Cantos is the highest-placed person with a disability in the federal government today. His rise to this position of leadership came after just 20 months of public service. His primary responsibilities include: reviewing pending federal regulations, Capital Hill testimony of federal officials and outgoing presidential messages; coordinating national disability policy formation and implementation across federal agencies; preparing possible candidates for appointment by the President; representing the Administration at speaking engagements; and maintaining and fostering ongoing dialog and partnerships with leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors.
"It is an honor and a privilege to have Mr. Cantos visit HSI," said LaVonne Brooks, executive director of HSI. "His accomplishments and activism for people with disabilities is an inspiration to all of us at HSI."
Cantos came to the White House from the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served as Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Working on a number of fronts to advance disability rights enforcement, Cantos was a member in many committees including the Attorney General's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities and the Subcommittee on the New Freedom Initiative of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Disability Research among many others. In these and other prominent roles, responsibilities included fostering closer ties between the Justice Department and disability rights leaders at all levels, facilitating greater compliance by businesses with applicable federal disability rights laws, and establishing and strengthening new cross-agency partnerships to promote full participation by people with disabilities in every facet of societal life.
Cantos was the first and only person ever to serve as General Counsel and Director of Programs for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the largest cross-disability national membership organization in the country, which presently boasts membership in excess of 120,000.
About HSI
HSI is a non-profit organization established in 1977 to serve people with disabilities in northern Nevada. HSI provides meaningful work, learning and supported living opportunities for more than 190 people with disabilities. HSI provides employment opportunities in light manufacturing and grounds maintenance contract services. HSI supports and encourages all employees to develop their skills and potential via effective training and development programs. HSI is recognized by local, statewide and national organizations for the service it provides to people with disabilities as well as excellence in their contracting services.