Media Advisory

STATEN ISLAND, NY (11/12/2007)(readMedia)-- To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the closure of Willowbrook State School on Staten Island, and raise awareness of the Americans With Disabilities Act, the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities will host The Road to Freedom, a landmark event featuring speakers, historic exhibits and guided tours of the Staten Island DDSO, which is located on the grounds of the former Willowbook State School.

The event takes place Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at OMRDD’s Institute for Basic Research, located at 1050 Forest Hill Road, in Staten Island, adjacent to the Staten Island DDSO.

Exhibit highlights include displays showcasing the ground-breaking developmental disability research carried out by IBR, an illustrated time line detailing significant events in developmental disabilities (from Willowbrook’s closure through today) and posters offering a glimpse into the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Also on tap is a touring ADA history exhibit organized by ADA Watch and the National Coalition of Disability Rights, an alliance of disability, civil rights, and social justice organizations. Featured are historic photographs by Tom Olin, whose work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Institute.

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