October Kicks Off National Disability Awareness Month

New Haven Non-profit Executive a Strong Voice at National Disabilities Conference

NEW HAVEN, CT - October is National Disability Awareness Month, a time designated to bring to the forefront the needs of millions of Americans who live with developmental disabilities. In an effort to better assist those with disabilities, The Alliance for Full Participation, an organization composed of eleven leading organizations serving the developmental disabilities field, held the 2005 Summit: Many Voices, One Vision in Washington, DC, on September 22-23.

Twelve hundred participants, including professionals in the field, self advocates, providers, families, public officials, as well as top leaders were in attendance.

Among the Summit's participants, was Frank McCarthy, Executive Director of Marrakech, Inc., a private nonprofit organization headquartered in Woodbridge, Connecticut, that provides residential, educational, and job placement services to over 1,100 children and adults with developmental, physical and behavioral health disabilities. McCarthy was an active participant at the Summit's town hall meeting focusing on self-determination and self-directed services.

McCarthy, a strong voice for the developmentally disabled population in New Haven and throughout the state of Connecticut, is a seasoned advocate on behalf of Marrakech, which has been providing assistance since 1971.

"This was a wonderful opportunity to lend my voice to such an important and timely discussion," said McCarthy. "The ideas that were shared and the knowledge that participants took back and can implement in their own communities, will have far reaching affects."