University of Alabama News …

University of Alabama News                                                    http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2006/oct06/advo102506.htm




                                                                                                     October 25, 2006



                                      Advocacy Program to Celebrate 30th Anniversary With
         Contact:                     Montgomery Event
         Emily Fowler or Linda Hill
         UA Public Relations
         205/348-8325
                                      TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program will
         lhill@ur.ua.edu              celebrate its 30th anniversary on Friday, Nov. 3 with a reception in the Old
                                      Archives Room at the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery from 1-3 p.m.
         Source:
         Robin Lunceford              ADAP is housed at The University of Alabama and is part of a nationwide
         205/348-4928                 network of protection and advocacy systems called the National Disability
         rluncefo@adap.ua.edu
                                      Rights Network.
         Office of Public Relations
         166 Rose Administration      Curt Decker, executive director of the national network, will speak at the
         Box 870144                   anniversary event before the reception.
         Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0144
         (205) 348-5320               The following Alabamians will also be honored at the celebration for their
         (205) 348-8320 (fax)         contributions to disability rights, advocacy and awareness in the state:
         » UA Home
                                      Paul R. Davis, owner and publisher of the Tuskegee News and also president
         » UA News Home
                                      and publisher of Davis Publications in Auburn
         Copyright © 2006
         The University of Alabama    Jayne R. Chase of Florence, advocate, director, Partners in Policymaking of
                                      Alabama

                                      Kathy E. Sawyer, advocate, acting administrator, Mental Retardation and
                                      Developmental Disabilities Administration in the District of Columbia, and
                                      former commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and
                                      Mental Retardation in Montgomery

                                      Nicolas Dupree of Mobile, advocate, disability rights organizer

                                      ADAP is Alabama's federally-mandated protection and advocacy system for
                                      persons with disabilities. It provides legally based advocacy services to
                                      Alabamians with disabilities in order to protect, promote and expand their
                                      rights.

                                      "ADAP has been at the forefront of civil rights advocacy for persons with
                                      disabilities in Alabama since its inception," said Dr. Ellen Gillespie, ADAP
                                      executive director.

                                      "We're probably best known for our class-action litigation in Wyatt v.
                                      Sawyer and R.C. v. Walley -- cases involving the deinstitutionalization of
                                      persons with mental illness and mental retardation and reform of the state's
                                      child welfare system," said Gillespie.

                                      "But, on an individual basis we assist hundreds of Alabamians with



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University of Alabama News                                            http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2006/oct06/advo102506.htm


                             disabilities every year, helping to ensure their rights are protected," she noted.




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