Clifton Perez

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT CLIFTON PEREZ

Clifton (Cliff) Perez of Troy, New York has been working in the field of advocacy to enhance and defend the rights of people with disabilities since 1985. He holds a Masters Degree in social work from the University of Stony Brook NY, and currently serves as the Systems Advocate for the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, NCIL\'s Region II Rep; New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico & the virgin Islands, Chair, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) Sub-Committee on Transportation and has recently been appointed to represent NCIL on the Railroad & Vehicle Accessibility Advisory Committee (RVAAC). Cliff’s passions in advocacy are wide reaching—from the Help America Vote Act to transportation, employment to housing. Cliff was involved with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, attended the White House ADA signing ceremony on July 26, 1990 and continues to press for policy and legislative reform at the grassroots, state and national levels.Due to his commitment for positive social change, his Masters Degree in Social Work and his participation in the SUNY School of Social Welfare’s internship program, the 2010 graduating Social Work students nominated him to be their Keynote Speaker at their May 15, 2010 Graduation Ceremony. In May 2012, Cliff was honored at the NYS Assembly’s Legislative Disability Awareness Day. “We would like to congratulate you on being named the recipient of the eighth annual Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day \"Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr.\" Advocacy Award. This tribute was created in honor of the late Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. for his lifelong commitment to advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities.” Cliff has been involved on a very personal level, with disability issues all of his life. As he points out, societal misunderstanding and lack of acceptance perpetuate the struggle of people with disabilities. It is a fight that will continue for the rest of his life.