Submitted Photo | Community Common
Project STIR Instructor Stephanie Barber-Maynard, front left, and Adult Services Team Leader, Chad Phipps, back left, congratulate new graduates of Project STIR. Front from left, next to Barber-Maynard, Suzette Doerr, back from left next to Phipps, Anthony Faulkner, Mike Bear, Ray Seth (participant), Tony Fisher and Susie DeLong.
The Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities and STAR, Inc., held graduation ceremonies for the second class to complete the Project STIR (Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility) Training Program.
Project STIR is a training program for self-advocates designed to provide individuals with developmental disabilities the tools to advocate for themselves, mobilize others in advocacy and gain leadership experience. The class also adopts a mission to focus on after graduation to help them move forward in more self-advocacy activities.
“The skills and values taught through Project STIR build the foundation for self-determination for people with developmental disabilities,” said Stephanie Barber-Maynard, Project STIR Instructor, “I am honored to be a part of this program and lead others to become more responsible and not allow their disability to stand in their way.”
Barber-Maynard said the mission of the program is to teach individuals that they can be treated equally and with respect while given the chance to obtain competitive employment. It also encourages having a voice in everyday life while educating the community about disabilities.
The mission of this graduating class will be to communicate with city leaders, the needs for more handicap accessibility throughout Portsmouth.
Graduates of the program were given a certificate of completion and listened to guest speakers share their stories of overcoming the odds and being successful. Project STIR 2012 graduates are: Tony Fisher, Susie DeLong, Suzette Doerr, Anthony Faulkner, Mike Bear and participant in the program, Ray Seth.
For more information on opportunities available for individuals with developmental disabilities, visit us on the web at HYPERLINK “http://www.sciotocountydd.org” www.sciotocountydd.org, like us on facebook at Scioto County Board of DD or follow us on Twitter @SciotoDD.
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