Williamstown Father to Speak at Advocacy Day in Boston
BOSTON — Williamstown resident Stephen Narey will be a featured speaker at the first MDSC Down Syndrome Advocacy Day at the State House on Tuesday, May 27.
The event is hosted by the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress and aims to encourage lawmakers to support critical policies and funding to ensure that all people with Down syndrome have opportunities to lead meaningful fulfilling lives in the community. At the top of the list is the National Background Check Bill (H.1674), a piece of legislation that would finally close a gaping loophole that puts people with intellectual and developmental disabilities at risk of abuse. Under current law, those hired to work with people with developmental disabilities are required to have a state criminal background check, but not a national check.
Hundreds of members of the Down syndrome community will gather for a luncheon reception followed by individual meetings with their legislators. They will walk the halls to share their stories and lobby our legislators to pass key legislation.
Narey, an attorney, is chairman of the MDSC Board of Directors and father to Cole, who has Down syndrome.
Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo of Winthrop will be given the MDSC’s first “Legislative Champion of the Year Award.” Other invited guests include Senate President Therese Murray, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh (primary sponsor of National Background Check Bill when he was a state rep.), EOHHS Assistant Secretary Rosalie Edes, DDS Commissioner Elin Howe, State Rep. Tom Sannicandro, and others. FOX25 weekend news anchor Heather Hegedus will emcee the event. Registration is free at www.mdsc.kintera.org/advocacyday.
