Fair lends support to Island's disabled community 

Staten Island Advance - Friday, June 16, 2006

More than 30 providers of developmental disabilities services, representing all parts of the city, gathered at the College of Staten Island yesterday to participate in the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council's Family Support Conference and Resource Fair.

The free five-hour event on the Willowbrook campus provided workshops and resources for family members, direct-support professionals and other supporters of children and adults with developmental disabilities. There also were classes in stress-management technique and lectures about how to maintain a positive attitude.

The fair was sponsored by District 75 of the city Department of Education, the city Department of Health, the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Services Office and the college.

"It's a very good type of networking event," said Diane Buglioli, deputy executive director of A Very Special Place, Dongan Hills. Mrs. Buglioli noted that the fair gives service providers the opportunity to get feedback from the public about the effectiveness of their services.

Westerleigh resident Rosemary Meagher came to see what the fair had to offer her family. Her 13-year-old daughter is autistic and attends Eden II Program, Elm Park. "It's wonderful just coming here and seeing what other options I have," said Mrs. Meagher, who works as an Early Intervention Specialist at TheraCare, Richmond Valley.

Fourteen direct-support professionals from various agencies throughout the borough were recognized for outstanding services. The awards ceremony was held in honor of Robert Witkowsky, the former director of S.I.D.D.S.O., who died in 2004. Checks for $50 accompanied the awards.

Janet Benjamin was honored for her five years' service as medical coordinator of the multisupport center Lifespire.

"I feel honored, I feel special," said Mrs. Benjamin, who said people need to be more involved with and understanding of the developmentally disabled. "But it's nice to know that when you do your job well, someone recognizes it."

The late Assemblywoman Elizabeth A. Connelly also was remembered for her many years' of dedication and service to the disabled.

Theresa Langschultz and Christopher Palma contributed to this report.

By Sametta M. Thompson
Reprinted here with permission from the