Larry Opinsky is a locally recognized disability advocate. He has been providing support to families and advocacy within the disability community for nearly 20 years. Larry is a 2003 graduate of Partners in Policymaking. He served as a Board member of Missouri Protection and Advocacy from 2007-2013 and as Board Chairperson from 2011-2012. During this time he participated in governance and policymaking to assist Missouri residents with disabilities that received federal assistance through a variety of programs. Larry was an organizing member of a coalition that advocated to close state operated habilitation centers. He provided testimony to the Department of Justice on the issue of habilitation centers. Larry has been involved in his local district, Parkway School District, for many years. He is an original member of the Parkway Strategic Planning Committee. He is a member and former President of the Parkway Advisory Council for Children with Disabilities. Larry also serves as Co-Chair of the Inclusion Committee at his synagogue, Congregation B’nai Amoona. He is a member of the Board of Directors of TREE House/Therapeutic Horsemanship and Fontbonne University OSERS grant review committee.
Larry’s most fulfilling job is being a dad to his two children, including his daughter, now a young adult, with significant physical disabilities. After a 30-year career as a small business owner and operator, Larry is excited to have the opportunity to dedicate his leadership and negotiating skills full-time to disability issues.
