Dr. Mark Friedman teaches Disability Studies as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. He serves as a Subject Matter Expert in participant engagement to the National Center on Advancing Person Centered Practices and Systems. Dr. Friedman's primary work has been helping people with disabilities gain a voice in their lives through self-advocacy and policy making and helping people move from large state institutions into community programs. He has provided Person Centered Planning training to 800 Service Coordinators in Illinois, directed a Service Coordination office in Pennsylvania, and facilitated leadership development retreats for People First of Nebraska. He is currently working with the Georgia Advocacy Office, Nebraska and Michigan DD Councils, the Administration on Community Living, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the National Museum on Disability Rights. Dr. Friedman received his doctorate degree in Organizational Leadership from the Union Institute and University. He has presented to audiences in 22 states, provided advocacy training in Ecuador and Kosovo, and authored thirteen publications. His work was recently highlighted in the New York Times.