State Self-Advocacy Conference Honored Bancroft NeuroHealth Leaders
Haddonfield, NJ- Two local individuals were honored at the New Jersey Self-Advocacy Conference Saturday, June 17, in recognition of their work as strong advocates for and leaders of persons with disabilities at Bancroft NeuroHealth and in society in general.
Each year, The New Jersey Self-Advocacy Project and New Jersey United Self-Advocates sponsor the conference to unite people with disabilities and their families and friends under one roof. The conference encourages participants to learn about self-advocacy, disability rights and ways to effectively produce policy changes on both a statewide and local level. The conference concludes with an awards ceremony honoring the state’s top advocates.
At this year’s conference, Russell Fried, an individual served in Bancroft’s Community Services for Adults Program, who has been a strong advocate for himself and others at the state and local levels, was honored with the Jane Miller Memorial Leadership Award. This award recognizes Fried’s advocacy efforts and his ability to lead and inspire others. Until recently, Fried served as an associate member of the Bancroft NeuroHealth Board of Trustees, where he continually demonstrated commitment, compassion and responsibility as an advocate for both himself and others. He is also an active member of the organization’s Accessibility Committee.
Michael Rogers, a Program Director in Bancroft NeuroHealth’s Community Services for Adults Program, received the Heroes Award. Mr. Rogers chairs the organization’s Human Rights Committee and works with self-advocates to facilitate Bancroft’s Self-Advocacy Focus Group as well as the Bancroft Board’s Advisory Committee for Persons Served. The Heroes Award recognizes Rogers as an outstanding role model and applauds his ongoing efforts to encourage and lead individuals with disabilities to serve as self advocates.
In addition to their work at Bancroft, both Rogers and Fried have been actively involved in the New Jersey Monday Morning Project, working in support of accessibility, as well as voter registration among people with disabilities. They have participated in the State’s Partners for Policy-making Project and are actively involved in the New Jersey United Self-Advocates and related groups.
About Bancroft NeuroHealth
Founded in 1883, Bancroft NeuroHealth annually serves more than 1,200 children and adults with developmental
disabilities, brain injuries and other neurological impairments. Based in Haddonfield, N.J., Bancroft has
sites in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem counties in New Jersey, and in Delaware. Programs
include education, rehabilitation, vocational, residential, evaluation and treatment services.
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