Opengate pledges to do our part during March, 2020 Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by advancing the issues, educating, and advocating for all individuals with developmental disabilities. We join thousands across the nation highlighting ways to allow communities to form stronger…
Blog Archives
The Right to Vote for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
The right to vote is recognized by the Supreme Court and protected under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, however, there is no expressed “right to vote” in the Constitution, it is considered a “liberty interest” for which individual states may not interfere.
People with disabilities are often denied voting rights because most states have legal provisions which, at times, deny the right to vote to citizens deemed mentally incapacitated, amongst other criteria.
Vacations and Travel for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
The world is your oyster! Or, if you don’t eat oysters, perhaps a Sweet Pickle Tour through New England offered by Search Beyond Adventures would be tastier. Adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers have a menu of…
John Nicolich: Years of Dedication
Opengate is proud to have John Nicolich, Esq. as its longest serving Board of Directors member. In the early 1980’s he was invited to the position by the then chairman and has been active ever since.
Siblings as Caregivers
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are living longer and often expected to outlive parents who have provided for them and made all decisions concerning their care. When this happens, responsibility for the individual’s well-being falls upon a sibling or other designated family member. Although it’s hoped that families establish an advanced plan for care of the individual, frequently there is no plan in place.
