☀️ Hey, hey, it's May! ☀️ |
Greetings!
Summer is right around the corner and so are exciting updates from the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities! Dive into this month's events, updates, community spotlights and more.
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To kick things off, Mattel has unveiled the first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome! Mattel's mission of celebrating inclusion through play is one close to our hearts and we couldn't be more excited to see the doll make its way to shelves soon. Click the link below to read more. |
As always, be sure to share resources and community opportunities with your friends and family. Together, we can create a more inclusive Arkansas! |
Arkansas's Individualized Education Program |
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Member Spotlight: Ludwik "Lud" Kozlowski, Jr. |
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Here's Lud attempting the 72 oz steak challenge at the Big Texan Steak Ranch Amarillo, Texas Summer 2022! |
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Ludwik "Lud" Kozlowski, Jr. is a self-advocate who is the current vice-chair of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas. He resides in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Professionally, Lud works as a Trainer I for a Fortune 100 corporation.
Outside of work, he advocates for all individuals to live and work in a fully integrated, inclusive, and independent environment as well as live in a fully accessible and integrated society. Lud enjoys the outdoors, roller coasters, and world travel. He has visited four of the worlds’ continents and is looking forward to visiting Morocco and watching the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, this summer.
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Lud has been a member of GCDD Arkansas since 2016. In addition to being vice-chair,
he leads the nominating committee which supports the member recruitment and
appointment process for the Council. Lud's dedication to the work of the council is
greatly appreciated. Thank you, Lud!
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Where: Downtown CALS Main Library, 100 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR 72201
Meeting Room: Fribourgh Room, 1st Floor
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST
Join Others on the Spectrum for Support!
More Info: Lud Kozlowski (502)-791-5835
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Community Spotlight: Marshallese Interpreting for Community Inclusion (MICI) |
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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander month and we want to shine a community spotlight on the Marshallese Interpreting for Community Inclusion! |
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The Marshallese Interpreting for Community Inclusion ( MICI) project is a collaboration among Partners for Inclusive Communities, Arkansas’ UCED, the Marshallese Educational Initiative (MEI) in Northwest Arkansas and SeSo, Inc. from Georgia. The Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities proudly provides support and funding for the program, as it helps us achieve our mission of a more inclusive Arkansas.
MICI's goal is to reduce communication barriers in accessing disability support and services in the Arkansas Marshallese community by providing training and information that is communicated in culturally and linguistically appropriate methods.
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Richard Laraya works at the Marshallese Education Initiative, a partner organization in the UAP/MICI project, as MEI’s media director, program coordinator and vaccine outreach specialist. Richard's main role at MEI is that of media specialist and while interpreting and translating are a part of his daily tasks, he was new to many aspects of the professionalism of interpreting and has said that both MICI and ABICE have helped increase his confidence in taking on a bigger interpreter role. |
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“Richard Laraya is an excellent example of the positive impact that the MICI interpreter training is having in the Marshallese community.” - MEI Staff |
Over 12,000 Marshallese residents live in Northwest Arkansas, the largest concentration in the continental United States. Thanks to Richard's efforts, Arkansas's Marshallese community receives more and more opportunities to plant their roots and experience inclusive community life.
Richard's knowledge gained through MICI, MEI and ABICE has helped him to honor cultural, intellectual and historical awareness of the Marshallese people, while facilitating intercultural dialogue and fostering positive social change. Not all heroes wear capes, folks.
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Richard Laraya
Media Director
Program Coordinator, Vaccine Outreach
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Get Your COVID-19 Shot Today! |
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Wondering if it's safe for your child to get their COVID-19 shot? Children as young as 6 months old can now receive their COVID shot, as well as booster shots for increased immunity. Help us protect our loved ones with disabilities and get the shot today.
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Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities | (501) 682-2897 | gcdd.arkansas.gov |
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