OMRDD Work/Internship Programs Empower Adults with Developmental Disabilities

ALBANY, NY (08/30/2007)(readMedia)-- Chester Finn may be visually impaired, but his vision for the future is crystal clear.

Finn, a special assistant at the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) in Albany for over 10 years, is a self advocacy success story. Through his job at OMRDD, he is able to live independently. If he needs assistance with reading or shopping, he has friends or community members to rely on. Technology, in the form of Braille readers and computer programs for the visually impaired, assist him at work.

“For me, it has been an enjoyable learning experience,” said Finn of his work at OMRDD, which centers on self-determination, consolidated supports and services and programs to help those with developmental disabilities gain independence.

Finn will detail his experiences as part of a live discussion Thursday, Aug. 30 on WMHT’s weekly series Health Link with Benita Zahn. Gary Lind, OMRDD director of Policy and Planning, will also take part, offering insight into the many options available to adults with developmental disabilities once they outgrow childhood support systems.

“Increasingly, the issue that is getting more attention from OMRDD is transition,” said Lind. “Primarily -- what people will do during the day, once they shift from school to adult services.”

Youth stay within the state Education Department and BOCES’ Special Education programming until they reach their 22nd birthday, said Lind. The year before is spent preparing for the transition.

“The biggest challenge is providing more work opportunities,” said Lind, explaining that self-advocates frequently ask for more work experience. “Moving into the workforce is very important to them.”

OMRDD offers a variety of options, including supported employment and an expanded internship program, said Lind. A new initiative, the program gives self-advocates the chance to work for OMRDD, or for one of its provider agencies, as an intern, a position that ultimately leads to employment.

“Offering more individualized, person-centered services is an OMRDD focus,” said agency Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter. “We’re working in partnership with people with developmental disabilities, their families and our sister state agencies to provide customized services.”

Finn is proof positive that the plan works. In addition to his work at OMRDD, he is a longtime self-advocate for the developmentally disabled, serving as past-president of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) and current co-chair of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), a national self-advocate organization.

Through SABE, Finn has traveled the country advocating for people-first organizations and setting up self-advocacy chapters for the developmentally disabled. He networks closely with the Arc, the world’s largest grassroots organization of and for people with developmental disabilities, and other advocacy groups.

“For me, it’s one of the best things we’ve done here at OMRDD,” Finn said. “It gives people with developmental disabilities an opportunity to control their own lives.”

Health Link is a weekly series designed to promote healthy lifestyles and provide viewers with access to current information about health issues. The program is broadcast live at 9 p.m. on WMHT.

To interview Chester Finn or Gary Lind, or find out more about options for adults with developmental disabilities, contact OMRDD’s Office of Public Information at (518) 474-6601.

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