Annmarie’s Story

by Annmarie Devane

Hello my name is Annmarie Devane. I joined the Arc of Opportunity self-advocacy group in March of 2007. Self-advocacy has helped me to speak up for myself and others with disabilities. Self-advocacy also has helped me get things that I need. For example, it helped me get my seeing/walking cane, my mobility specialist and my physical therapist. Self-advocacy also helped me with my independence. 

To me the best way to describe self-advocacy is having a life beyond my disabilities. On September 16th, 2011, I started working with Mass Advocates Standing Strong. As part of a team with a mentor, I helped present the Explore Prepare Act (EPA) training. The goal of this presentation is to get individuals with disabilities out of workshops and into paid employment. 

Our mentor would make dates for my team to go visit workshops and speak to individuals about getting into paid employment out in the community.

From October 2013 to October 2014, my team took part in the effort to speak with 9,830 individuals, and to get 25% of the workshops closed. Numerous individuals have gotten paid employment out in the community.

Another important campaign I was a part of was changing the name of DMR. On June 12th, 2008 we had a gathering because we successfully changed DMR (Department of Mental Retardation) to DDS, which stands for Department of Developmental Services.