11th Berkshire Disability Day Planned April 5

11:17AM / Wednesday, March 12, 2008

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PITTSFIELD - The Berkshire Disability Pride Day committee will holds the 11th annual Berkshire Disability Pride Day on Saturday, April 5, from 10 to 3 at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough.

The event is a day of celebration and education to increase community awareness of the accomplishments of children and adults with diverse abilities. It will also showcase the variety of services and opportunities available in Berkshire County.

Sign interpreters will be on site. Vendors, sponsors, entertainers and art exhibitors are welcome and encouraged to participate. For information, contact Christine Singer  at United Cerebral Palsy, 442-1562, or Barbara Pastie at Berkshire County Arc, 499-4241, Ext. 230.

In addition, the event will celebrate the 18th anniversary of the passage of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. There will be family entertainment throughout the day, agency and business booths with service and product information, and an art show by area artists with disabilities.  

Karen Lanier is this year's honorary chairman in recognition of her enduring spirit and dedication to improving the lives of the people around her.

Lanier works at the McDonald's in North Adams and still finds time to volunteer, attend cooking classes and is a constant presence in the community. She has volunteered for the children's Christmas Gift Program, Habitat for Humanity and the Personal Ponies program.

Lanier said she is especially proud of her work with the Personal Ponies program, caring for ponies that would be placed in homes with children with terminal illnesses.  She currently volunteers with the United Cerebral Palsy Self-Advocates as treasurer.

Lanier said she feels Disability Pride Day is a time for individuals of all abilities to be proud and to spend time together as a community.

The committee also will be hosting the 8th annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, March 28, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Itam Lodge, with a suggested donation of $14.

Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, and Reps. Daniel E. Bosley, Denis E. Guyer, William "Smitty" Pignatelli and Christopher N. Speranzo will be in attendance to address the concerns of the disabled community.

Registration is required by contacting Penny Jefferson or Chrystal Kaigle at Berkshire County Arc at 445-7863.  

The 2008 Sprout Disability Film Festival, hosted by the Arc's Down Syndrome Support Group, will take place on Sunday, April 6, at Images Theater, 55 Spring St., Williamstown.

The festival shows films about, written by and performed by people with developmental disabilities. These films are designed to accurately portray the lives of people with disabilities.

The festival begins at 2 and tickets are $5. The event will be followed by a free catered reception and opening for the "Eye Candy" art show. The show will feature paintings of regional artists including Kelly Gallagher, Louis Vitale Jr. and A. J. Schlesinger. For more information, contact Marie Tiffany Spencer, BCArc, at 499-4241.  

Berkshire Disability Pride Day is the brainchild of Pat Sheely, disability advocate and board member of UCP Association of Berkshire County. Sheely uses a wheelchair and is always seen accompanied by her service dog, Jamie.

Member agencies include Berkshire County Arc, United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County Inc., Ad Lib Center for Independent Living, Berkshire Family and Individual Resources, Carson Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Services of Western Mass., Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, Berkshire Vocational Services of Meridian Associates, Sullivan & Associates Inc., Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Berkshire Children and Families, Goodwill Industries and Community Resources for People with Autism/Specialized Home Care.

The major sponsor of Berkshire Disability Pride Day is Berkshire Bank. Additional sponsors include Adams Cooperative Bank, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Guardian Insurance, Berkshire Life, Credit Union of the Berkshires and the Legacy Banks Foundation.