Disability Policy Advisor

Starkloff Disability Institute

Steve Foelsch became a quadriplegic 1985. He possesses a BA in history/anthropology, and a M.Ed. For 14 years was Director of Disability Studies at Starkloff Disability Institute. He created and taught several classes in Disability Studies that focus on the history and social construct of disability, disability & advocacy, independent living, and creating a more accessible community.

He is currently the Public Policy Advisor for SDI and is advocating in Jefferson City for disability rights, consumer-directed services (CDS), and affordable and accessible housing.

Steve firmly believes that attitudinal and physical barriers can be much more disabling than disability itself.

President

Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America

Rose Ganz served in the United States Air Force between 1979-1994 where she taught adult learning programs in both the United States and abroad. After retiring from the Air Force, she became involved with the Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) in a variety of capacities.

Rose served as vice president for several years and has been president of the organization since 2022. She sits on multiple committees with the PVA National organization based in Washington, DC where her work includes advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure that legislation continues to benefit veterans with spinal cord injury or disease, as well as the disability community as a whole. Rose serves on the PVA National Women’s Health Committee and the PVA Field Advisory Council, focused on improving veterans’ care within the VA medical system.

As a person living with Multiple Sclerosis, Rose inspires paralyzed veterans to achieve the goals that they have set for themselves.

Principal

Cohen Hilberry Architects

Teacher, mentor, advocate, and leader; Gina Hilberry, AIA, is a practicing architect and principal of the architectural design firm Cohen Hilberry Architects. For over 35 years Gina has provided thoughtful solutions through architectural and consulting services related to historic preservation, building renovation, new construction, and accessibility design and review.

Gina has provided architectural and consulting services related to historic preservation, renovation, conversion, new construction and accessibility since beginning her professional career in the early 1980s. Her personal emphasis has been on accessibility, universal design, research and cost-effective conversion and compliance techniques. Gina provides design assistance, accessibility evaluations, compliance plans, construction administration and universal design consulting services to fellow professionals, attorneys, local and regional jurisdictions, and owner’s representatives.

She consults, teaches and provides training seminars on ADA, Fair Housing and Universal Design to public, professional and industry associations nationwide.

Commissioner and ADA Coordinator

St. Louis City Office on the Disabled

David Newburger is Commissioner on the Disabled for the City of St. Louis and, as such, its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. He has brought together groups of people with varieties of disabilities into “Universal Design Groups” to advise designers of major civic projects including the Brickline Greenway, the City’s Transportation Mobility Plan and St. Louis Land Use Plan, the Gateway Arch National Park, the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in St. Louis, and others.

David has a history of advocacy for people with disabilities including serving on the Paraquad board of directors and founding the Starkloff Disability Institute. He has an A.B from Oberlin College and J.D. from Case Western Reserve University. He has taught law both at the Washington University School of Law and the Saint Louis University School of Law.