Chester Finn, OMRDD Special Assistant, Named President of National Self-Advocacy Board

• by New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities

Chester Finn, a Special Assistant with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) has been elected President of the national Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) board, OMRDD Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter announced today.

Finn was the former President of the New York State Self-Advocacy Association and currently serves as an advisor. In September 2008, Finn was elected president of SABE, the national self-advocacy association. He also serves on a number of statewide, national and international committees for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Previously, from 2002 to 2004, Finn was elected Chairman of SABE. He then was re-elected to a second term as chairman in 2004.

He currently works as Special Assistant at OMRDD; in the Office of Advocacy Services.

“Every individual has a connection regardless of their intellectual, cognitive, developmental, or physical disability,” Finn said. “I advocate with that belief in mind, on behalf of and, for the best interest of persons with disabilities.”

“I am extremely proud of Chester and all that he has accomplished,” said Commissioner Ritter. “He is one of the staunchest advocates for the rights of people with developmental disabilities and works tirelessly with us as we move forward our mission of helping individuals with developmental disabilities live richer lives. I know what he has done for us on a statewide level; I am looking forward to seeing his work flourish nationwide.”

In addition to his work with SABE, Chester remains active on the Board of Directors for the ARC of the United States. He is committed to fighting for the civil rights of people with disabilities and as a self-advocate, demonstrates that on a daily basis.

About OMRDD

The Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) provides high-quality services, supports and advocacy to approximately 120,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. OMRDD works with a network of nearly 800 not-for-profit providers to help people with developmental disabilities lead richer lives that include meaningful relationships, good health, personal growth and productivity and homes in their communities.

About SABE

SABE’s mission is to ensure that people with disabilities are treated as equals and that they are given the same decisions, choices, rights, responsibilities and chances to speak up to empower themselves; opportunities to make new friends and to learn from their mistakes. SABE has been active in advocating for education for the disabled as well as educating the general public about issues important to people with disabilities including civil rights, voting accessibility, transportation, employment, legislation affecting people with disabilities, and affordable and assessable housing.