Speakers:

Gary Guller

picture of Gary Guller
  • Gary was born in Britain, and grew up in the Southeastern United States.
  • He has spent much of his life climbing and exploring the world, including countless trips to the Nepal Himalaya.
  • A 1986 climbing accident left Gary with a broken neck and the loss of the majority of his left arm.
  • After serious introspection, Gary decided to begin climbing again.
  • He has inspired others ever since to continue onward and upward.
  • He is known throughout the world for his passion for exploring and promoting the potential of people with disabilities.

Dolores Gonzalez
City of Austin ADA Coordinator

  • Ms. Gonzalez has 20 years experience working with disability issues.
  • She was appointed as the City of Austin Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator in 1991
  • She was invited to present for the Association of ADA Coordinators in:
  • Long Beach, California
  • St Louis, Missouri
  • Oakland, California
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Houston, Texas
  • Austin was recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in “ Implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Case Study of Exemplary Local Programs” due to her efforts.
  • She was instrumental in producing “ City of Austin: Equal Opportunity for All” a video detailing how Austin complied with the ADA.
  • She initiated a collaborative “ADA Roundtable” for city, county and state agency ADA Coordinators in the Central Texas area.
  • She served on the President’s Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities
  • She is serving a second term on the Goodwill Industries of Central Texas Board of Directors.
  • She received an award from the U.S. Department of Transportation for Exemplary Curb Ramp Program in 1999.
The year 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of the first summit of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Team Everest ’03 represents 50 years of progress of people with disabilities and challenged the myth that having a disability equates to a lack of capability and potential. "Shattering Stereotypes on Mt. Everest" is a video that shows the team's trek up Mount Everest. Gary Guller will speak about both the film and the trek.

Bary Muth, a climber with quadraplegia on Everest trail

In March 2003, the Challenge Trek team, a group of people representing a variety of disabilities, began a 30 mile trek to the 17,500’ base camp of Mt. Everest. In May, Guller started his climb to the 29,035’ peak of Everest. Gary was the first climber with one arm to stand on the summit of the world's highest peak.