Kelly Buckland's Disability Rights Advocacy Efforts Have Earned National Recognition from HP

Kelly Buckland, a nationally known advocate for disabled people, was honored Tuesday with the 2005 Hewlett-Packard Co. Award for Distinguished Leadership in Human Rights Information.

One hundred-thirty people gathered for an awards program that included a speech by Emmy-winning ABC News anchor and correspondent John Quinones, who discussed his roots as a migrant worker and his news stories about human rights.

Buckland's award presentation received a standing ovation from the invited guests, including HP employees, former award-winners and disabled people who have benefited from his advocacy for disability rights.

"I am especially impressed that the award acknowledges disability rights as a civil rights issue," Buckland said. "Often, mainstream America does not recognize that people with all types of disabilities should have the same civil rights and control over choices in their lives as people without disabilities."

Buckland is executive director of the Idaho State Independent Living

Council, an advocacy group. He was instrumental in the passage of the Idahoans with Disabilities Act during this year's legislative session, he said.

Other projects he has advocated include a uniform state building code, amendments to child-custody codes, eliminating discriminatory language and voting rights issues. Buckland has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives and made numerous other national appearances regarding rights for people with disabilities.

A Web search of his name offers more than 360 references to his Idaho and national disability rights work.

HP sponsored the award as a way to recognize those who champion human rights, said HP program manager Jay D. Van Houten.

"Human rights are a core corporate value for us, and we have a strong tradition of human rights support," he said.

HP picked up the tab for the bacon-and-egg breakfast and provided two gifts for Buckland: an HP computer of his choice and an original commissioned painting by Boise artist Shannon Fausey.

HP also sponsored a $2,000 scholarship that went to Josie Evans, a Boise State University student who works for the school's Women's Center. Evans was a founding member of the university's Organization for Gender Equality and Education, according to the HP awards committee

About Kelly Buckland

Age: 51
Resides: Boise
Wife: Merle
Son: Rodney, 6
Education: Bachelor's degree, Boise State University.; Master's, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.
Disability: Sustained spinal cord injury diving into Snake River at age 16.

Published: 2005-05-27 on the National Spinal Cord Injury Association website www.spinalcord.org