FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jody Yarborough 

October 14, 2011 Phone: 408.894.9041 

 

SVILC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SARAH TRIANO, TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER & PERFORMER 
AT ASSOCIATION OF PROGRAMS FOR RURAL INDEPENDENT LIVING CONFERENCE 


National Conference Addresses Issues of Disability Community, Independent Living, and Advocacy 

SAN JOSE — Sarah Triano, SVILC Executive Director, is honored to be giving a keynote presentation at The National 
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) 2011 Youth Pre-Conference, as well as a krip-hop 
performance at the main Conference. The APRIL Conference, in its 17th year, is being held Oct. 15-17 in Anchorage, 
Alaska with over 300 representatives from centers located throughout the nation and world. It provides an opportunity to 
discuss issues impacting rural centers for independent living and the disability community as a whole. This year’s theme is 
“It Takes a Seat at the Table to Make a Stand (how to avoid being devoured by the political process).” 

Triano has been asked to speak about her personal experience with disability, and about her experience conducting 
disability advocacy and activism on a local, state, and national level. Triano will also be giving three krip-hop performances 
that have, in recent years, earned her the stage name of R.E.D for Rapping ED. 

Of particular focus for APRIL is fostering a strong youth leadership advocacy network. As their website states, "APRIL 
continues an ambitious and beneficial collaboration with rural youth with disabilities, recognizing that the young people of 
our country are our true leaders." Triano is enthusiastic to share the accomplishments of SVILC's youth leaders, particularly 
those who worked with CFILC’s Yo! Disabled and Proud program to get the second week in October designated as 
Disability History Week in California. 

SVILC has also published its Leadership Curriculum for Youth with Disabilities for use by ILCs, schoolteachers and 
community leaders. Eight local teachers are using the lessons in their classes this week, and their experiences will be shared 
in a Disability History Week Celebration at SVILC on Wed. Oct. 26, 2011. For more information go to www.svilc.org. 

APRIL is a national grassroots, consumer controlled, nonprofit membership organization consisting of centers for 
independent living, their satellites and branch offices, statewide independent living councils, other organizations and 
individuals concerned with the independent living issues of people with disabilities living in rural America. 

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