APIDC was created initially as an informal coalition during 1999 of individuals, community based organizations, government agencies, parent organizations, and corporate executives who shared a common vision of wanting to address the specific needs of APIs with disabilities. Our first goal was to convene a two day statewide conference of consumers, families, and representatives from within and outside the API community to meet, share resources, identify information and service gaps, and formulate strategies on formulating solutions. Among the conference highlights was a panel featuring APIs with disabilities who were employed in various private and public positions, including elected officials and corporate executives. The conference culminated in a resolution to convene future conferences. APDIC has since sponsored statewide conferences in Oakland, Orange County, and Long Beach. One of the important outcomes of the statewide conferences has APIDC’s initiative to undertake original research in the absence of data specifically aimed at APIs with disabilities. APIDC Research Director Peter J. Wong (Ph.D., UCLA) supported by Dr. Lois Takahashi has conducted and reported on important research results, announced at an APIDC press conference held at the Los Angeles offices of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, with Stewart Kwoh as the press conference moderator. Mark Matsui (Rio Hondo Community College) also participated in the press conference.
