David Whalen has enjoyed a widely acclaimed career in the field of disabilities.
During nearly 20 years in the field, he has created groundbreaking programs for people with developmental disabilities, including a therapeutic greenhouse, an on-site nature trail, and
rehabilitation counseling in schools. He also played a key role in making DD DAY (Developmental DisabilitiesAwareness Day) the largest single day conference on developmental disabilities in America.
Whalen’s personal involvement began when his twins, David and Rachel, were born 11 weeks premature, resulting in young David’s
cerebral palsy. Wedding his work in disabilities to his other calling as a sports reporter, Whalen and his wife Sandra are active in a
broad range of sports for people with disabilities, including the Challenger Baseball League, The Skating Association for the Blind
and Handicapped, therapeutic swimming and horseback riding.
Currently he is the President of Programs for the Williamsville School District's Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association, Finance Chair for DD Day, Committee on Special Education Parent representative for both the Williamsville School District and the WNY Developmental Disabilities Service Office, a substitute Special Education teacher for Erie 1 BOCES, and Chair of the Parent Network of WNY Board of Directors.
March 2008-present
Town of Amherst (NY) Committee on Disabilities
April 2007-present
Diocese of Buffalo (NY) Disabilities Action Team
April 2002-April 2008
Parent Network of Western New York Board of Directors
April 2007-April 2008
Parent Network of WNY; Chair Board of Directors
September 2005-present
Williamsville (NY) CSD Special Education PTSA
September 2007-present
Williamsville CSD Special Education PTSA President
2005-present
Williamsville CSD CSE parent representative
2006-present
NYS OMRDD Western New York CSE parent rep
1993-present
WNY Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day committee
1993-95
WNY Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day co-chair
2007
Partners in Policymaking graduate
2005-2007
Williamsville CSD Shared Decision Making committee
David Whalen has enjoyed a widely acclaimed career in the field of disabilities. 