Brooklyn Family Support Fair: Resources available all under one roof

May 10, 2013 Editorial Staff

Photo courtesy of Joseph Baird

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It’s that time of year again — the Brooklyn Family Support Fair will be at Brooklyn College on May 23 offering a wide variety of information about agencies that provide developmental disabilities services.

The event “offers parents, family members and advocates an opportunity to shop for services and educate themselves about issues and services,” said Joseph Baird, chairperson of the Family Support Committee for the Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council, “all under one roof,” and at no cost.

“This is the 24^th year we’re doing it,” added Baird, noting that this is a “tremendously valuable event in the disabilities community.”

Over 100 agencies and vendors as well as workshops and panel presentations will be available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for anyone who decides to stop by.

Especially honored with the “Life Time Service Award” this year will be Duncan Whiteside, who has contributed “so much to the field,” said Baird. Whiteside, a Harvard graduate, is the president of the Maidstone Foundation, which for decades has been an advocate for children and adults with disabilities. He has served as director of the One to One Foundation, and sought vital resources for the disabled.

A social worker with HeartShare Human Services, Baird says the event is essential to spread the word and let more people know of the history of the field—along with the countless options.

“There will be booths set up to talk to representatives– sometimes families get isolated from all the services that are available,” he explained.

For more information, visit http://www.brooklynddcouncil.org/ or call: 718-422-3227 to speak with Joseph Baird.