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Devika Rao
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North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Member Adonis Brown Selected as Board Member of National Association
Brown Inducted in the NACDD Advocate Leadership Circle

RALEIGH – Adonis Brown, a member of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) and a passionate advocate for disability rights, has been selected as a new board member of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD).

Brown, born with congenital bilateral upper extremity limb loss, said, "It is a privilege and honor to be chosen for NACDD's board of directors. I don't consider myself a 'self' advocate but rather an advocate for those who with disabilities coming up behind me. I work hard at advocating for them so they have a better life than I had."

His advocacy work includes helping to move disability protection and advocacy out of state government and into a private, nonprofit entity, now known as Disability Rights of North Carolina. Brown spent three years in the redesign of how this new system would work to better address and pursue violations against those with disabilities.

Brown's current advocacy work is directed at employment of those with disabilities. "We want to be employed just like everyone else," said Brown.

He hopes to bring national attention to employment issues facing those with disabilities. "What is common across the country is that very few people with developmental disabilities ever become employed. They go to college and earn degrees but when seeking a job, employers don't see their potential, only their disabilities," explained Brown.

Sixty-year old Brown, a New Bern, NC native, has his Bachelors in psychology and an MBA, both from Ashford University. He is self-employed as a motivational speaker traveling throughout the country offering encouragement and demanding change in support of those with disabilities.

Brown is currently serving on the NACDD's strategic planning committee whose goal is to build the organization's ability to help deliver outcomes at the national, state and local levels that improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

In addition to the NACDD board of directors, Brown was inducted into the organization's Advocate Leadership Circle during their annual meeting this week in Sparks, Nevada. Inductees were chosen for their outstanding advocacy work across the country. Brown is considered the standout voice of reasoning when it comes to developmental disabilities in North Carolina.

"Adonis is very deserving of this honor. Since being appointed to NCCDD in 2007, he has brought a great voice to the Council as a member and as the vice chair of the executive committee," said Chris Egan, executive director. "His work in advocacy for the disability community will now be more impactful in this role, and we are very proud of Adonis and his accomplishments."

About the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities:
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to assure that people with intellectual and developmental other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. The
other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. The Council identifies problems facing its community through its five-year planning process 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.

About The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities:
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities is the national association for the 56 Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils) across the United States and its territories. The DD Councils receive federal funding to support programs that promote self-determination, integration, and inclusion for all Americans with developmental disabilities.

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