[Archived] Panel Discussion Traces Rights of Persons With Intellectual Disabilities

A panel discussion on the rights of adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, “The Last Frontier of Civil Rights: Adults with Developmental Disabilities,” will be held Wednesday, November 20, at 7 p.m. at Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street.

The discussion will begin with the history of moving individuals back to the community in the 1970s as mandatory public school education began for persons with intellectual disabilities and community-based housing and services became available and employment training and opportunities were created. Speakers will focus on the concept of person-centered care, what Department of Justice rulings and the latest civil rights case means for Virginians with developmental disabilities, and what those with disabilities think about their present lives in Alexandria.

Speakers include Paul Wexler, one of the founders of Sheltered Homes of Alexandria and currently regional executive director of ServiceSource Virginia Regional Office; Berline Lewis, director of ID Residential Services for the City of Alexandria; and an attorney who will speak on the impact of various rulings and laws.

This event is sponsored by the Alexandria’s Mental Health HOPE Campaign, Friends of the Alexandria Mental Health Center, the Alexandria Library and the Department of community and Human Services. The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, e-mail Maurice Tomdio at maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244.

For more information visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us or call 703.746.1751.