An Initiative of the Northeast Arc
Chuck Howard Self-Determination Award
About the Chuck Howard Self Determination Award:This
award is given in the honor of Chuck Howard,a former President of ADDP.
The award is presented to individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities who have demonstrated self-determination by
exercising their right to make choices, pursue personal goals and
assume responsibility for directing their own lives.
Donna Jay's Nomination:(From Nominator Clhoe Browning)
Donna Jay has a developmental disability and is legally blind. Thoughout her life Donna has concistently taken steps to learn, to advocate for herself and others, to be independent and to be involved in her community. At 17, Donna fought to move out of BelchertownState School and against all odds won the right to move into a community residential program and attend high school. Over time Donna learned all the independent living skills she needed to live alone in Salem, where she has lived for 12 years, with control and choice in every aspect of of her life.
Donna has worked at Plastilam for over 22 years. Donna receives a competative sallery and has been promoted repeatedly, so that she currently has huge amount of responsibility including opening the building in the morning and supervising other employees.
Donna is an inspiring advocate. Donna organized the first meeting of a new advocacy group, Self-Advocates of the North Shore, and was elected President. Donna is on the Board of Directors for A3D, a community group that organizes local events to raise money to address the economic, educational, environmental and public health needs of underserved African populations.
I am often amazed by how much Donna fits into her life. Donna is an artist who has had her own art shows (and sold!) her paintings; in addition, her work has been shown in other parts of the country. In short, Donna is an inspiration, not only to others with developmental disabilities and to those who work in the field, but to everyone she meets.
(Letters of support were received from Suzanne Ryan of the North Shore Arc and Joan Low of Hamilton, MA, with an article about Donna published in the Salem Evening News and the Gloucester Times)