AUBURN --Peter Blanck dedicates his life to ensure that people with disabilities can have their fair shot at the American Dream.

An attorney, professor and chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, Blanck litigates violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act on behalf of those whose civil rights are violated.

Standing before a record crowd of 190 people piled into the Auburn Holiday Inn's ballroom Wednesday as keynote speaker for the Options for Independence annual conference, Blanck shared details of past cases and extolled independent living centers like Options for imparting a lasting message about the roles people with disabilities have in an equitable community.

“Our children are the first generation to grow up into adulthood where they won't know a world without the American Disabilities Act,” he said. “They will not know a world without the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or the Rehabilitation Act.

“I am so proud to participate in a group like this today because I know that the legacy of this group and the legacy of this meeting will be that our children will know no less.”

The conference titled “Project Independence: Constructing a More Independent Life” endeavors to bring together people affected by myriad disabilities as well as leaders in various community sectors to raise awareness on disability issues prevalent in society, Executive Director Tracy Murphy said.

Political leaders from the various layers in government, including state Assemblyman Gary Finch, Cayuga County Legislator Daniel Schuster and Auburn Mayor Michael Quill, took part in the conference, now in its 12th year.

The day-long conference offered workshops in special education; adaptability modifications in homes, mobile homes and apartments; autism, service animals, to name a few, and the county Board of Elections brought in a few of the new voting machines for people to test out before the general election in November.

“We're trying to reach out to the entire community and also educate people that there are a wide variety of disabilities,” Murphy said, adding that disabilities can manifest in different forms: physical, learning, developmental and mental.

Options for Independence assists people with disabilities to make their own decisions, become part of the community and gain opportunities with such agencies helping with that mission.

During his keynote address, Blanck recounted several lawsuits litigated on behalf of people who were unfairly judged by their disability. He spoke about a divorced couple in California fighting for custody of their two sons, the eldest of which was autistic. Rather than keep the brothers together, the judge decided to split them up between the parents based upon the disability. Blanck appealed the decision, and was later overturned by a higher court. California no longer uses disabilities as a factor in custody arrangements.

He spoke of a mentally retarded man who was fired from his job at Chuck E. Cheese's simply because the regional manager didn't like the way he looked. Beloved by his immediate co-workers, the remaining staff quit in protest of his termination. After a five-day jury trial, the jury foreman not only found in favor of the employee, but ordered the company to pay $70,000 in back fees and $13 million in punitive damages.

“These stories,” he said, “that could be anybody in this room and that is why this work is so important because this goes on everyday.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net