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On the occasion of the passing of June Roberts, I am reminded
that it was she who taught me that equality is the right of all people, but
independence is a gift we must give to ourselves.
Dorothy A. Wendel,
Attorney,
Former SILO staff
and board member * * *
June Roberts was a
tireless advocate in the disability movement; her dedication and devotion to
the movement and her independence was truly inspiring. No one worked more
resolutely or persistently than June for the rights of people with
disabilities. June was one of the founders of the Network of Women with
Disabilities which is tackling the issue of true health care accessibility in
Suffolk County. She will be missed terribly but her legacy will live on in the
Network of Women with Disabilities and Suffolk Independent Living Organization
(SILO) the agency she started and ran for many years.”
Judy Pannullo,
Exec. Dir.
Suffolk Community Council * * *
June Roberts
negotiated, prodded, cajoled and sued to make Suffolk County accessible to
disabled individuals. On her watch (and through her efforts) the right to
accessible buildings and governmental services became the norm in our lives. I
hope her spirit hovers near. We have a lot more work to do.
Martin Coleman,
Attorney ***
On behalf of the
Long Island Center For Independent Living, we are deeply saddened to hear of
the passing of June Roberts. June suffered a long illness and we would like to
extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Pat Moore,
Director
LI Ctr for Independent Living * * *
June Roberts is a
pioneer in New York’s disability rights movement.
Her life was dedicated to advocacy to advance integration,
inclusion equal access and full participation by people with disabilities into
society. June’s often cantankerous style made her live up to her
self-proclaimed reputation as “hell on wheels.” But the most
effective side to June was her uncanny warmth and sensitivity for youth and
leadership development and her legacy will certainly live on through the many
advocates she mentored and cultivated over the years. For all ofus, June had a
big heart, a big mouth and achieved big change and behalf of New Yorkers with
disabilities we thank her and send our deepest condolences to her family and
friends.
Robert Gumson,
Manager
Independent Living Services VESID ***
At June Roberts retirement dinner I stated that I had not known
June for that long a period of time, but that I could tell she was a very
strong willed person and knew how to get the job done. Little did I know that
it would not take any length of time to get to know her. She has been a strong
supporter, even though she might not have agreed with everything I wanted to
do. While serving in Viet Nam in the trenches, you were always cognizant of who
you were serving around. June was the type of person you always wanted at your
side.
She was a fighter as was shown during her long period of
illness and will be missed. June, thanks for the time we spent together. I will
miss you and your support. My condolences to the family and to Maureen.
James
“Butch” Langhorn,
Town Leader Riverhead
Democratic
Committee * * *
“June Roberts was a champion for individuals with
disabilities whose tireless efforts made it possible for people with
debilitating conditions to live independently. She was a pioneer and a positive
role model who faced life’s challenges with determination to persevere and
overcome.
As founder of the Suffolk Independent Living Organization
(SILO), June Roberts sought to provide much-needed resources for the disabled
population. *** |
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because of
inadequate transportation. Each “person” wore a sign that gave their
name and gave the reason for their absence (see inset).
She put her heart and soul into ensuring SILO achieved this
goal and succeeded with great pride. Her commitment has helped improve the
quality of life for many individuals with disabilities and will continue to
benefit this special population for many years to come.” –
Sen. Kenneth P.
LaValle
Having the pleasure of knowing June Roberts, for close to 10
years, it was easy to see how so many people were drawn to her.
There never was a mystery in what she was thinking nor any
misunderstanding of her spoken words.
She spoke and acted from both the heart and the mind and always treated
everyone with dignity and respect.
The passing of June saddens me, for she was truly a Grand Dame.
How lucky I was to have known her. Rest in everlasting Peace.
Michael S.
Marmon
Marmon Enterprises, Inc. ***
June Roberts was one of those people - Edward Roberts was
another - who solved problems in front of her. In doing so, she solved a lot of
others’ problems.
Frank Bowe Hofstra
University * * *
For me, when thinking of June Roberts, the phrase indomitable
spirit comes to mind. Her loss has diminished the corps of strong advocates for
individuals with diabilities. My time of working closely with June on the board
of SILO, for over 20 years gave witness; as at times by sheer force of her will
and determination she kept SILO alive and flourishing, as a voice for and to
give voice to, those folks who previously in our towns and county were
ill-served.
She was a tough, relentless, outspoken woman who dedicated her life to fulfill
her vision of enhancing the quality of the lives of her constituency through
SILO and to give them a level playing field for independent living in the
community at large.
Roy Probeyahn
Former SILO Board Member * * *
Her E-mail address was hell on wheels. That tells us a lot
about a woman who spent her life fighting for the rights of individuals with
disabilities.
She was funny, sometimes abrupt, but always willing to help
another human being.
I met June at an independent living center conference in 1986.
She was one of the first directors who took the time to share her knowledge and
experience. She even visited our center to make suggestions and
recommendations.
I will always be indebted to her for the many things she taught me.
She was the epitome of independent living. She lived her life
her way and taught many others what it meant to be a vital and participating
member of the community.
My deepest sympathy is extended to her family and to Maureen
who stood by her.
If there is an independent living center in heaven, (and I am
sure there is), June will be the executive director.
Dorothy Doran
Executive Director,
Staten Island Independent
Living
Center * * *
As the founding executive director of SILO, June Roberts gave
birth to Suffolk’s independent living center. |
June nurtured it from infancy into adulthood setting high stand-ards. Under
June’s pioneering leadership, SILO became one of the most respected
disability advocacy groups on Long Island.
June Roberts was on a mission to make it possible for thousands
of disabled persons to control their own lives and destinies.
Because of her focus and tenacity, June succeeded in making
this a better place for all. Her family and friends can be proud of that
legacy.
And in life, June did it her way. June ”walked the
walk.” Her shoes will be hard to fill. But June would want us to keep
pushing for progress. It’s up to each of us to do our part to honor
June’s memory. Rest in peace, June Roberts, knowing your life made a
positive difference.
In fond remembrance,
Bruce Blower,
Director
Suffolk County Office of
Handicapped Services * * *
It’s difficult to know where to begin describing the impact June Roberts
had on the advancement of civil rights for persons with disabilities.
At Nassau Suffolk Law Services we regularly worked with and
were inspired by June’s relentless pursuit of Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) compliance and compliance with other laws protecting the civil rights
of persons with disabilities.
June’s fight to secure ADA compliance by Suffolk County with respect to
the operation of the fixed route and paratransit bus program is my best example
of June’s tenacity.
After years of attending public hearings and performing other
advocacy to get the County to adhere to ADA regulations by having stops
announced, lifts operational and paratransit buses available on a next day
basis, June formed a committee at SILO to advance these issues, which included
meetings with County officials. When those efforts did not succeed, she had our
office file administrative complaints to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT)
to obtain the County’s compliance with the ADA.
When the DOT investigation stalled, June insisted litigation be filed which
ultimately was successful.
I believe the extent of the litigation’s success was a
reflection of both June’s will and the County’s respect for her
advocacy. When I hear stops announced now and see numerous paratransit buses on
the County roads, I think of June.
Robert Briglio,
Attorney
Nassau Suffolk Law Services ***
June provided a shining example of how to lead ones life to the
fullest. She was a powerful and enormously successful advocate for the disabled
and was greatly admired by all her associates in the United Way community.
Eugenie
Kissinger
United Way ***
June Roberts was a tenacious advocate dedicated to the concept
of independent living and uniting people with disabilities to fight together
for their common goals. Her attitude and spirit were inspirational to all who
knew her. She has left a permanent mark on Suffolk County - and for that we
should all be grateful.”
Steve Levy
Suffolk County Executive ***
June was a friend to Able and subsequently I was
lucky enough to have a personal friendship with her as well. I will always
remember her as a person who was strong, honest, smart, devoted, persistent,
loyal, straightforward and fair. June is certainly someone who left this earth
a better place than she found it.
Angela Miele
Melledy,
Publisher, Able Newspaper ***
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By Beth
Guarino