Disability Awareness Training

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David Whalen founded Disability Awareness Training (DAT) in September 2004. He specializes in training law enforcement, emergency responders, human service providers, public, private, and school transportation, corporations and businesses, places of worship, and educators. The training is designed to both sensitize and educate the audience on all aspects of disabilities including, but not limited to, definitions of disabilities, etiquette and interaction skills, stigma and misperceptions, proactive approaches to community inclusion and integration, and overcoming barriers through advocacy. Specific topic areas include emotional disturbance/mental health awareness and responsiveness, developmental disabilities, co-morbidities and dual diagnosis, and pertinent legislation. David Whalen has worked in the disability field for most of his career. He spent 17 years at Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara serving individuals with developmental disabilities. As Vice President of Program Operations, David established groundbreaking programs recognized statewide, including a fully operational greenhouse, an on-site nature trail, rehabilitation counseling in schools, collaborative certification with the county alcoholism department, and a sensory integration room. He chaired the agency's safety committee for seven years and developed their wellness program. Dave worked for one year serving low income medically frail seniors as Director in a Long Term Managed Care (Pre-PACE) program. He has developed a comprehensive plan to serve seniors with developmental disabilities that is currently being implemented in agencies. David served on the Western New York Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day-DD Day-committee from 1993 to 2008. A former co-chairperson, he was instrumental in making DD Day the largest single day conference in New York State dedicated to the field of developmental disabilities He served as President of the New York State Association of Day Service Providers, dedicated to Day Treatment and Day Habilitation providers. Under his direction, the Association established collaborative relationships with statewide associations in the field. David has worked with the State of New York in establishing policy, regulations and staff training. Dave was instrumental in starting the Diocese of Buffalo's Disability Action Team. A committee developed with the intent to ensure that the Catholic churches in WNY best serve their parishioners with disabilities. He has taken his initiative and introduced it to other faiths in the area. Mr. Whalen was appointed to the NYS Office of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Quality Assurance Real Choice committee, addressing the quality of care of individuals with disabilities. Dave is President of the Buffalo Alumni Chapter of St. Bonaventure University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (1984) and his Masters of Science in Education degree in Counseling Psychology (1986). Mr. Whalen has established the four ideals of the alumni association: spirituality, socials, volunteerism and university support. He oversees some 10 events per year and works with the university on various initiatives and projects. In 2009, he was awarded the Alumni of the Year by the university. Mr. Whalen became active in the Challenger Baseball League, Skating Athletes Bold at Heart (SABAH), and the Committee on Special Education (as both a parent representative for the Williamsville School district and the State of New York). He also is the President of the Board of the Williamsville Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA) and past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Parent Network of WNY, a non-profit agency serving parents of children with special needs. He was also appointed to Chair the Town of Amherst's committee on disabilities. David was recently hired by Erie Community College to develop a Direct Support Professional course whereby students will graduate fully prepared to enter the field of developmental disabilities. Through a grant from New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies, this 240 hour program will cover all aspects of service delivery, etiquette and interaction skills, abuse prevention, parent and self-advocate perspective, history, and definitions of disabilities plus all mandatory training. David is co-founder of Access Buffalo, a progressive initiative to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access restaurants and hotels in the Buffalo area. DAT trains college students to do accessibility reviews in restaurants throughout Western New York. Each restaurant will be listed on the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau website. New York State Independent Living Center Council (NYS Board of Regents appointment)

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