Raleigh, NC (November 19, 2015) - North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) honored two leaders for their outstanding contributions in advocacy and leadership in the North Carolina disability community at its annual awards celebration on November 18 at the North Raleigh Hilton Hotel in Raleigh, NC.

The awards reception included the presentation of the Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award and the Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award honoring advocacy and leadership for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Becky Garland Hopper of Andrews, NC, who has tirelessly advocated on behalf of her 26-year-old son born with Down syndrome and mentored families whose lives have been touched by I/DD, received the Jack B. Hefner Memorial Award. The award celebrates the vision and achievement of advocacy by North Carolina's families and people with I/DD.

Michael (Mike) Mayer of Mebane, NC posthumously received the Helen C. "Holly" Riddle Distinguished Service Award that honors leadership by a professional in the field of I/DD. Mayer oversaw the development of community residential, vocational, and other support and treatment services for over 700 people with disabilities, specializing in individuals with more severe and/or complex disabilities with a focus on inclusion in community.

Donna Meltzer, CEO of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), gave a stirring keynote speech on leadership and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. The night honored advocacy and Meltzer paraphrased from David Bornstein's book, How to Change the World, about how ideas, like inclusion, need good producers and promoters.

Explaining that no matter how good an idea, such as inclusion is – unless it moves to the mainstream, then it's not going to effect change. Meltzer said, "It's not easy to speak up, but the payoff when you do is enormous."

"It was a wonderful evening to honor Becky Garland Hopper and Mike Mayer and the work they have done to promote inclusive and integrated communities across North Carolina," said NCCDD Executive Director Chris Egan. "There are many community and professional leaders like Becky and Mike who are working behind the scenes to support people to be fully included in their local communities and we are so pleased to have the opportunity through these awards to recognize their hard work and impact in the community."

About the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities:
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to assure that people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. Through its Five-Year Plan, the Council identifies and funds innovative projects and initiatives that promote the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) for all North Carolinians.


Contact:
Devika Rao
[email protected]
(O) 678-384-7836; (C) 404-374-5231

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