For Immediate Release:

Contact: Chris Hilderbrant, (585) 546-7510

April 23, 2008

Rochester, NY – Chris Hilderbrant, Director of Advocacy for the Center for Disability Rights, Inc. (CDR), has pledged to allow a CDR participant to shave his head if a fundraiser being conducted exceeds $5,000 in earnings.

Hilderbrant and 58 other Rochesterians are participating in a “Fun Run” on Sunday, April 27th, with a national disability rights group known as ADAPT. ADAPT will be celebrating its 25th anniversary of activism for the rights of people with disabilities. Among other accomplishments, ADAPT is credited as the driving force behind requirements for lifts on public buses and played a crucial role in the development and passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADAPT is currently focused on the need for more community-based long term care options for seniors and people with disabilities as well as the need for more accessible, affordable, integrated housing.

To provide an incentive to CDR members to raise funds for ADAPT’s 25th anniversary, Hilderbrant will allow the member who secures the most pledges to shave his head Friday, April 25th, at 4:00 P.M. The event will take place at CDR’s office at 497 State Street in Rochester and is open to guests. The Rochester Chapter of ADAPT will depart for Washington, DC, at 9:00 A.M. Saturday.

“The response has been tremendous,” said Hilderbrant. “People recognize the importance of ADAPT’s advocacy and how expensive it can be for an individual to participate in these trips.” Hilderbrant continued, “I think more than a few people really want to see me embarrassed and bald as well!”

Half of the funds raised will go to National ADAPT to support its grassroots advocacy. The remaining half will come back to CDR in order to support the participation of low income people with disabilities in advocacy trips.

Anyone wanting to donate to help CDR eclipse the $5,000 goal can make a pledge by visiting CDR’s website at www.rochestercdr.org.