By F.M. WIGGINS
News Staff Writer
Governor Mark R. Warner recently announced the
appointment of Hopewell resident Norma Draper to the Virginia Board for
People with Disabilities. Draper has years of experience working various local organizations which benefit the disabled. The recent
appointee also has a grandson who is wheelchair bound.
"I was extremely pleased and surprised when I found
out I was appointed," Draper said. "I consider it a privilege and an
honor to be a part of this board because I know of the good that it can
do."
To become a member of the board, Draper simply sent
in an application after hearing of the vacancy at one of the support
groups for the disabled that she belongs to. Along with her application,
a letter of recommendation was sent in by local delegate Riley Ingram
The local representative to the General Assembly said
not only did he send a letter of recommendation but that he also spoke
personally with the governor.
"I told Governor Warner that she would be an
excellent person to appoint to this board," Ingram said. "I know of her
work in the area with the disabled and how caring of a person she is."
The mission of the board is to give Virginians with
disabilities a VOICE. the word is an acronym for Vision Outreach
Innovation Collaboration and Education.
According to literature Draper received, the board
carries out this mission by making systems changes, building the
capacity of the system and beginning advocacy initiatives. Through these
activities the board seeks to impact the independence, productivity,
inclusion and integration of people with disabilities in their
communities. Draper said these goals fall into her own personal goals
for people with disabilities, which include more equitable treatment for
the disabled. The Hopewell resident said this fits in well with the
statement about inclusion.
"There really aren't that many job opportunities out
there for the disabled and those that do have jobs, often times don't
have transportation to get to their workplace," Draper said.
Ingram said there is no question in his mind that she
is an excellent person to have on the state board for people with
disabilities.
"I know that she will do an excellent job in her new
position," Ingram added.
©Hopewell News 2003
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