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Governor Paterson Announces OMRDD to Become Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
by New York State Office of the Governor The following link(s) will open in one new tab or window. Should you have any questions regarding this article, please follow the specific contact information provided. Governor David A. Paterson signed into law a bill which changes the name of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) to the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The historic legislation removed the words "Mental Retardation" from the name of the State agency and from State statute and regulations, and will take effect immediately. "This name change sends a strong message that New York values the dignity and respect of individuals with developmental disabilities" Governor Paterson said. "For many people with developmental disabilities the words 'mental retardation' are hurtful and represent a disrespectful term. The Office For People With Developmental Disabilities is a name that respects their rights as people with developmental disabilities to have an agency name that invokes pride, and not shame." This has been the culmination of several efforts over the last few years to change the agency's name. Most recently, a stakeholder meeting was convened with parents, advocates, providers and individuals with developmental disabilities. There was overwhelming agreement that the time had come to remove the "R" word. Stakeholders and representatives from across the State gathered together to come to the OPWDD consensus. OPWDD Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter: "The time has finally come for New York to join the 48 other states that have dropped the 'R' word. I want to assure everyone that our name may be changing, but who we are and what we do stays the same: We have and will always provide top quality supports and services to people and families. I would like to commend Governor Paterson for his efforts ensuring that this name change would be achieved." Marc Brandt, Executive Director of NYSARC, Inc., said: "As the organization that initiated the idea of a separate office for persons with developmental disabilities nearly half a century ago, we applaud the Governor and the Legislature for a successful initiative that keeps with the tradition of dignity and respect that our families and their loved ones have fought to maintain for so many decades." The name change will not result in any new cost for the agency or the State Financial Plan. Implementation of the name change will be gradual to avoid new costs, with the new name phased in as part of normal replacement costs. New signage is not needed for the agency's regional Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSOs) since their names will not be changed. For the OPWDD statement visit: www.omr.state.ny.us/news/name_change.jsp
August 2010
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September 2010 Contact Us
Phone: 1-800-395-3372 Upcoming DDPC Meetings September 2010: 9/23/10 - Executive Committee Meeting *Notice* Open Government and the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC). All DDPC meetings are held in Albany, NY unless otherwise noted. Under law, the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) meetings and DDPC Standing Committee meetings are open meetings. If the public wants to attend, they can attend as observers. Participants may be asked to leave during breaks in the deliberations and when the meeting goes into executive session. If more information, please contact the DDPC directly.
People First Language The DDPC strictly adheres to and encourages the use of people first language. However you may note that in some articles/stories appearing in the E-Bulletin the language used is not always entirely people first. Articles submitted to the DDPC are taken verbatim from the source and are therefore not edited by the DDPC for correct people first language due to copyright restrictions. |
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