It was a picture perfect day on the Long Beach Boardwalk as 200 walkers recently gathered to commemorate 65 years of “Celebrating Abilities” as Brookville-based AHRC Nassau walked in recognition of the milestone anniversary of the New York State Chapter of The Arc (NYSARC), the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
“Sixty five years ago, parents joined together to create a meaningful life for their children,” said Stanfort Perry, associate executive director, AHRC Nassau. “A life filled with opportunity. They ensured that a person with a developmental disability would have the right to work and earn a competitive wage. Would have the right to an education, and the right to live in community. These rights could not be different or separate or less if there was going to be full participation in the American experience.”
AHRC Nassau, an organization supporting more than 2,000 men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is just one of 12 downstate and mid-Hudson chapters of NYSARC to take part in a 12-day “awareness journey,” Together to Albany, to help celebrate the 65th anniversary. The one-mile walk on the Long Beach Boardwalk included 200 people with developmental disabilities, their families, community members and invited elected officials, including Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg who addressed the walkers. “We are here to show the world the beauty of our children,” said Weisenberg. “What AHRC is today is progress from where we were to where we are today — progress, respect, and dignity of life.”
