Banker's Roundtable to Improve Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities

The Valdosta Mayor's Council for Persons with Disabilities will host a Banker's Roundtable on March 27, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., to brainstorm the financial accessibility issues faced by individuals with disabilities and to seek solutions for improved services.

This event will be held in the Valdosta City Hall Annex Multi-Purpose Room and is co-sponsored by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), and the Mayor's Council for Persons with Disabilities.

The Bankers Roundtable will provide a networking and continuing education opportunity for bankers and community-based organizations that support individuals with disabilities. Several state leaders on the topic will be present, including Aarti Sahgal, founder of Synergies Work and consultant to the Georgia Council on Development Disabilities, who will present an overview of the financial habits of people with disabilities; and Pamela Williamson, Assistant Project Director for Southeast ADA Center, who will lead a dialog on the best practices to support the banking and financial needs of persons with disabilities in our community.

The program also features personal testimonies from local individuals with disabilities.

The roundtable includes a luncheon provided by the FDIC.

The FDIC preserves and promotes public confidence in the U.S. financial system by insuring deposits in banks and thrift institutions. The GCDD is a non-profit that advocates for all persons with developmental disabilities by researching, reforming, and projecting demonstrations. The Mayor's Council for Persons with Disabilities advises the Mayor on ways to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in the Valdosta area.

The event is free; however, preregistration is required. For more information, contact Elaine Hunter from FDIC at 912-330-0591 ext. 8277 or Vanassa Flucas at 229-671-3617 or vflucas@valdostacity.com.