Andrew McGeady JACKSON — The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) — a federally funded state agency that educates policymakers about how best to develop and expand public and private supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families — recently announced that Gov. Jon Corzine has appointed Andrew McGeady of Jackson to the council.
“We welcome Andrew, as we work together in 2009 to advocate on behalf of this population across a broad range of issues,” said Dr. Alison M. Lozano, NJCDD executive director. “There are many important issues that we are working on, including individual and group rights, community integration and inclusion, and civic participation.”
According to a press release, the council comprises up to 30 members. At least 60 percent must be individuals with a developmental disability, or parents, immediate relatives or guardians of someone with a developmental disability. These individuals are appointed by the sitting governor.
The remaining membership is comprised of public agency representatives; representatives of the council’s sister agencies — the Boggs Center for Excellence and Disability Rights New Jersey — and a private provider agency representative.
McGeady will serve as a “self-advocate” member.
“Andrew’s appointment comes at a good time to reinvigorate our membership as we move into a very challenging year,” Lozano said. “The state and nation are facing difficulties that have the potential to significantly affect people with developmental disabilities and their families. So it is vital that we have a strong, diverse membership as we discuss how best to face those challenges.”
In addition to the council’s legislative and policy advocacy, it actively works for positive changes in the systems of support that people with developmental disabilities rely on by providing training and opportunities for individual advocates and funding innovative ideas through its annual grants process, according to the press release.
The council meets six times a year — usually the fourth Thursday of every other month beginning in January. The meetings are open to the public.
There are councils on developmental disabilities in all 50 states and some territories, administered through the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities. They were created as part of the federal Developmental Disabilities Act.