State Presents Official Proclamation to Arc

Denise Hunter (left) and her daughter Katrina (middle) receive the official New York State proclamation from OMRDD Commissioner Ritter (right) in Albany.

Arc of Onondaga celebrated the official New York State Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Albany on Tuesday, March 18.  New York State Office of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities Commissioner, Diana Jones-Ritter, presented to Arc of Onondaga representatives the official New York State proclamation designating March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Denise Hunter and her daughter, Katrina, who receive services from Arc of Onondaga’s Parent Advocacy Program were joined by Stanfort Perry, Executive Director of Arc of Onondaga, and Marc Brandt, Executive Director of NYSARC.  Commission Ritter presented the official proclamation at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany.

Denise Hunter serves as a parent member on Committee for Special Education for the Syracuse City School District and is a member of Arc of Onondaga’s Child, Youth and Young Adults committee.  Denise is the Field Representative of the Youth Department for the Church Of God In Christ in Syracuse, New York. 
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month celebrates the accomplishments of New York State citizens with developmental disabilities.  Arc of Onondaga serves over 3,000 people and their family members at 37 sites in Onondaga County.  As a chapter of NYSARC, Arc of Onondaga provides day habilitation, clinical, residential, vocational, education and advocacy services.

This month is an opportunity for the community to see the contributions people with developmental disabilities make and the hurdles they have overcome.  Arc of Onondaga encourages community members to take a tour of Arc’s programs or simply learn more about developmental disabilities at our website.

View the full state proclamation.