2014 Copyright Center for Disability Services

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Center for Disability Services traces its history to a group of parents and concerned citizens who joined together to work to improve the lives of children with developmental disabilities.

Katie Carter was the visionary parent who, in 1949 , encouraged other parents of children with developmental disabilites to join together. She insisted that there must be a opportunity to train and educate these yong people. This group of determined parents Newark City Schools for classroom space. Our founding familes and supportive citizens, became incorporated in April of 1953 as the Association for Retarted Children.

During those early years, they built and began the Starlite School for Children and opened the county's first two group homes as an alternative to state insistutions. Center for Disability Services remained on the forefront of advocacy and right issues for people with developmental disabiities, working to expose the services needed to enhance the lives and independence of individuals with developmental disabilties. In the 1970's Center for disability Services added Independent Life Skills to its advocacy services, following in the 1980's with direct service provision that deeloped into the Adaptive Socilization and Supported Living Programs.

We remiain dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities, and supporting their families. Center for Disability Services currently offeres eight  programs and services that support, educate, and respect the choices of our neighbors with developmental disabilties.

 

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