Mission

Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC) gives a voice and a face to Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. We seek to help break down the service and cultural barriers faced by APIs with disabilities, to provide knowledge to APIs with disabilities and their families, and to create a community network for empowerment and independence.

Key to our mission is the development of the next generation of leaders—youth with disabilities.

CAUSE Leadership Institute Holds Fundraiser for APIDC

The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) Leadership Institute (CLI), a six-month fellowship program for high-potential working professionals that develops leaders to effectively advocate for the Asian Pacific American (APA) community, held a “Paint for a CAUSE” fundraiser on June 2. We wish to thank the CLI staff and graduates for choosing APIDC as the beneficiary of their fundraiser and for their tremendous support in organizing and holding this fundraiser. We also congratulate the 2018 CLI graduates on their graduation!

2019 Statewide Disabilities Conference

APIDC will be hosting its 6th Statewide Disabilities Conference at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in Anaheim, March 8-9, 2019.

Our conferences have focused on ways to educate not only Asians and Pacific Islanders with disabilities and their families on how to better access resources, but also to educate health providers on the specific barriers facing APIs with disabilities, to ensure the provision of culturally competent health systems.

The 2016 Conference involved 19 breakout sessions, over 90 speakers, 32 exhibitors, and over 200 attendees each day. Highlights of the Conference included keynote remarks by consumers with disabilities, the post graduate accomplishments of the Youth Leadership Institute graduates, and 8 elected officials who participated in a town hall style “listening session” where they learned first-hand from consumers about the challenges facing Asians and Pacific Islanders with disabilities.

For more information about the Conference, please contact conference.apidc@gmail.com

APIDC’s Fifth Youth Leadership Institute

APIDC’s Fifth Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) completed it’s final session on April 29. The YLI is aimed at training college students to become advocates for APIs with disabilities. We seek young adults from all walks of life and ethnicities who have a passion for empowering APIs with disabilities. It focuses on a combination of developing grassroots leadership skills and providing a safe space for mutual sharing and learning. Participants are selected from a broad variety of backgrounds who show a strong potential to become future leaders.

We thank our generous sponsors:

AT&T Logo

APIDC’s Fifth Annual Gala

APIDC’s festive Fifth Annual Gala will be on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Cicada Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Annie Haga at anne.apidc@gmail.com.

First Walk n Roll Disability Awareness Fair

APIDC held it’s first Walk n Roll Disability Awareness Fair, a festive community fair in celebration of Disability Awareness Month, on October 15 at The Alhambra. This first of its kind event featured educational activity booths designed and staffed by APIDC’s Youth Leadership Institute graduates, entertainment by people with disabilities, resource tables, food vendors, and a fun Walk/Run sponsored by local bar associations and community organizations.

CalState LA students from the Rehabilitation Counseling Association (RCA) who volunteered at Walk n Roll gave an enthusiastic presentation in their class and wrote an article for their newsletter.