Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...
Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org
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(914) 949-8200
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Progress and Persisting Stereotypes
Self-Advocates’ Perspectives: Lois and Patsy Ginese
Lois and Patsy Ginese have been part of each other’s lives for nearly 30 years. In 1985, they became one of the first couples having developmental disabilities and living in a group residence to be married in New York State. They are active members of Westchester Arc’s customer service council and participate in the training of new agency staff on self-advocacy issues. Recently, Lois and Patsy were asked to comment on the key issues affecting individuals with developmental disabilities.
Employment
Patsy: There have been a lot of advancements in the field. There are more people with disabilities working in the community, but there’s a lot more that needs to be done. People with developmental disabilities need more support in order to advance in their careers and stay in the community.
Aging and Cost of Living
Lois: Where do we go when we get older?
Patsy: Will we need to go to another agency with unfamiliar service providers and routines? Will we have to readjust?
Lois: When I started working in 1975, the first $65 I earned in a month was mine, then I lost $1 in benefits for every $2 earned. It’s still at $65, but the cost of living has gone way up. When is this going to change?
Media Coverage
Patsy: The media coverage has been positive. The media coming to the Manzi Center here has been good. The agency setting up their website and changing it every day has helped us.
Lois: This has made the public more aware that we’re people, too, just as they are and that we should be treated as people, rather than people with disabilities.