By
OCTOBER 26, 2007
(Special to the Asian Journal)
Blind FilAm in Key Gov’t Post
Ollie Cantos is highest-ranking person with a visual disability at the Justice Department
(Second of Two Parts) was featured in a 1991 book published by the
FROM April 2006 to March 2007, Cantos was National Federation of the Blind. In addition,
Associate Director for Domestic Policy in the he has now become a regular contributing
Executive Office of the President. He is the first columnist for Sphere magazine.
ethnic minority and first Filipino-American to “I have yet to find someone with a passionate
serve in that post. It is the highest designated and intense go-getter attitude who does not, in
position given to a disabled individual in the US the final analysis, prove to be a success. That is
federal government today. His swift rise to his because, in spite of any obstacles that may be
new post came after just 20 months in public faced on a short-term basis, success-minded
service. individuals keep at it and strive to make
While working in the White House, Cantos changes for the better, consequently attracting
interacted with President George W. Bush on to themselves success-oriented individuals
various occasions. and identifying real ways to move ahead in
“It was an honor to serve the President of the a concrete and substantive way that enables
United States and to have been his principal achievement to become a true, living, ongoing
point-man on disability issues for the entire and ever-increasing reality,” the optimist said.
Administration,” said Cantos. “It provided me Cantos believes that each day represents an
with a direct opportunity to have influence opportunity to make history. He is working to
over high-level policy and to drive the agenda of Appreciation from the Army National Guard, build the kind of legacy of which we may all
of promoting equality and access to more than the Legendary Leadership Award from UBSCI, be proud. “I have devoted my life to this work,
50 million Americans with disabilities. I loved and a certificate of appreciation from Director and I do it because each and every person
working at the White House, and the memories of DOJ’s Office for Victims of Crime, John Gilles. deserves a chance to grow and succeed to the
that I now carry with me will last a lifetime.” Most recently, the Center for Independent Living greatest potential possible. I want to be a part
Cantos is currently Special Counsel to the in Fresno, California, has established an award of somehow making this world a better place,”
Assistant Attorney General of DOJ’s Civil in Cantos’s name to be given annually and in he said.
Rights Division, having been so commissioned perpetuity to a local leader demonstrating Despite his disability, Cantos excels in sports.
by now former Attorney General Alberto R. extraordinary service to the community. He is a three-time finisher of the 26.2-mile Los
Gonzales. Cantos is the highest-ranked person What makes Cantos so successful is his Angeles Marathon. He exercises regularly and
with a visible disability currently serving in the positive “can-do” attitude. “For any of us, we will enjoys rollerblading, ice skating, and horseback
130,000-employee cabinet agency. ultimately get what we expect. If we expect riding. Cantos is also a science fiction fan
Aside from the Pamana ng Pilipino Award much, we will achieve much. If we expect little and loves being involved with his church
late last year, Cantos has received numerous or nothing, little or nothing is exactly what we and community. He admits that he derives
honors for his work within and outside the will receive,” he said. inspiration from God, his family, books on
disability field. Among his awards that are too Having traveled around the country, Mr. personal development, and various mentors he
numerous to mention are the Distinguished Cantos has addressed crowds ranging from a has had throughout his life.
Service Award from the Legal Aid Foundation handful to more than 6,000. He is also a gifted This past May, President Bush spent time
of Los Angeles for his efforts to promote access writer. He wrote a comprehensive toolkit with Cantos and his whole immediate family at
to the justice system by low-income individuals for assisting students and job seekers with the White House. “He met us at the door of the
in 1998. disabilities in identifying and determining Oval Office,” said Cantos. “He brought us in. The
Two years later, he received four awards viable career options, a California primer for president was engaging, and gracious to my
including the Paul G. Hearne National crime victims with disabilities and their families, entire family. I have fond personal memories of
Leadership Award from AAPD, an Outstanding a comprehensive report for the State Bar of President Bush.”
Service Award from the City of West Covina, California on the delivery of legal services to One of Cantos’s proudest moments with
the Access Award from the Los Angeles low-income Californians with disabilities, and President Bush was when the Commander-
County Board of Supervisors, and the Award a series of widely-circulated online bulletins in-Chief said to him during a private meeting,
of “Excellence, Service, and Achievement” from that addressed issues including transportation, “Ollie, you have inspired this president.”
the United Batangueños of Southern California special education, veterans’ benefits, physical When asked what are to be the next steps
(UBSCI). With the arrival of 2003 came the accessibility, the criminal justice system, the in his path, Cantos simply replied, “To find my
presentation of the Key to the City from Kansas arts, religion, and employment. He has also special soul mate, get married, have a family,
City Mayor Kay Barnes in Missouri. appeared on radio and television and in raise kids in a loving Christian home, and propel
In 2006, Reno Mayor Robert A Cashell Sr. newspapers and magazines and has written my career to the next level.”
proclaimed October 16 as a day in his honor, articles for nationally-circulated periodicals Not a bad life thus far, considering how he is
and Cantos was given the Key to the City from including The Braille Monitor and Future only 37 years old. With a book in the works and
Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. Reflections. He also edited a candid book on plans at some point to join the private sector,
This year, Cantos was honored with a Plaque experiences of people who are blind, and he his future looks bright. (AJ)
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