participation, including the Berkshire County Arc Down Syndrome Family Group, which was a part of the event for the first time this year.
Promotional Sponsors for Berkshire Disability Pride Day included the Berkshire Mall and WBRK. Other participating sponsors were Adams Co-Operative Bank, Berkshire Life Insurance Company, Credit Union of the Berkshires, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
Entertainment is always a large part of Berkshire Disability Pride Day. The Focus is on Our Children step team gave an energy filled performance, while the Farrell Irish Step Dancers performed colorful and intricate dance. The Happy Hearted Voices also gave their annual performance, and Gene Pelkey gave an outstanding vocal performance.
This year’s Honorary Chairperson was June Hailer, who has participated in Berkshire Disability Pride Day, as well as been a strong advocate for many years, improving the lives of people with disabilities in Berkshire County.
June is a member of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Executive Committee, and also represents the MRC on the Berkshire Regional Transit Authorities Disability Services committee. She also volunteers her time at many other organizations, including Construct, Inc and is a member of the UCP Advisory Board, BCARC Scholarship Committee and is the Chair of
the City of Pittsfield Disability Commission.
Volunteers make Berkshire Disability Pride Day possible. Tom Coutherut, Bruce Stiles and Irene Morrison contributed to spreading the Berkshire County Arc mission through their volunteer efforts.
While Berkshire Disability Pride Day was the first of two events of celebration and collaboration between people with disabilities and the agencies who support them, the 2007 BDPD Legislative Breakfast featured area legislators who answered questions about issues reagarding people with disabilities. (Turn to page 4 to learn more about the event.)
A special thanks to everyone who participated in making Berkshire Disability Pride Day a resounding success.
Construction Update!
BCARC’s Co-op apartments will soon be completed to be enjoyed by 14 individuals.
Construction is well underway at the new BCARC Co-ops apartment building. A $1.39 million grant Berkshire County Arc received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development underwrote the construction of the building, which will house individuals supported by BCARC. According to Ken Singer, Executive Director, " We are very excited to see four years of planning come to fruition. The lives of 14 individuals will be greatly improved. This fully accessible building allows those that have been part of this program to remain in their own neighborhood as they age. Our agency is very proud of this project."
June Hailer, Honorary Chairperson of the 2007 Berkshire Disability Pride Day, addresses the supportive crowd.
chaired the event, Berkshire Family & Individual Resources, Berkshire Area Citizen Advisory Board of the Department of Mental Retardation, Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Meridian Associates, and Sullivan Associates, Inc.
2007 marked the 10th anniversary of Berkshire Disability Pride Day. “During that time the BDPD committee has sought to educate the public about the accomplishments of children and adults with diverse abilities and the variety of services and opportunities available in Berkshire County as well as to celebrate the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act.”, according to Barbara Pastie, BDPD Operations Chairperson.
This year agencies participating in the 10th Annual Berkshire Disability Pride Day also received certificates for their contribution to ten years of celebrating the accomplishments of people with disabilities. All participating organizations and businesses also received a certificate of