My name is Marilynn Potter. I am retired from the Department of Social Service in Rockland County.  The purpose of my website is to change the name of the State  Agency that works with the disabled from “ Office for People with Developmental Disabilities” (OPWDD)  to “ Office for People Differently Able.” (OPDA)

I am involved in this project because I am the parent of a differently able adult. My goal is to have the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate pass a non-binding resolution stating they agree with this change.

There are excellent reasons for making this change.  The name is:

  1.  Positive
  2.  It demonstrates Acceptance and Respect
  3.  It is simple to explain to other people
  4.  And it is a more accurate description of the individual involved.

Start the process of connecting with your New York State Assembly and New York State Senator by using the links provided.

When you click on the links, you will see a form with the required information to determine who your representatives are.

After filling out the form for your New York State Assemblyman, the name of your Assemblyman will be shown.

Click on Visit Assemblymember’s page. Then click on Contact. An email will be visible.
You then will have three choices:

    1. Copy and Paste the Entire Letter.
    2. Copy and Paste the Message in Bold.
    3. Write the Message in Bold found below.
    4. Send.

“I support a non-binding resolution to change the name “ Office for People with Developmental Disabilities” ( OPWDD) to “Office for People Differently Able. (OPDA)"
For the New York State Senator, after filling out the form  the name of your New York State Senator can be seen. Click on Message Senator. An email will be visible.

Again you have three choices:

    1. Copy and Paste the Entire Letter
    2. Copy and Paste the Message in Bold
    3. Write the Message in Bold found above.
    4. Send.

Thank you for your support and joining me in my grassroots campaign to accomplish the goal of changing the name, through a non-binding resolution, from “ Office for People with Developmental Disabilities”( OPWDD)  to “Office for People Differently Able.” ( OPDA)

Share the existence of this website with Family, Friends, and  your New York State contacts.

If You Received this Letter More than Once, Only Send One Letter.

If you can Tweet, Please Tweet.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at: [email protected]

Thanks,
Marilynn Potter
Email: [email protected]

Dear Assemblyman

or

Dear Senator

     Years ago the agency which works with the disabled, to keep up with the times, changed its name from “Office for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities” (OMRDD) to “Office for People with Developmental Disabilities" (OPWDD).

     As changes have been made in how we work with the disabled, it is time to again make a positive name change. I am proposing changing the name from “Office for People with Developmental Disabilities” (OPWDD) to “Office for People Differently Able” (OPDA).

     There are excellent reasons for making this change.

     The new name is: Positive
           It demonstrates Acceptance and Respect
           It is simple to explain to other people
           It is a more accurate description of the individuals involved.

     I am requesting your support for a non-binding resolution that states you agree with changing Office for “People with Developmental Disabilities” (OPWDD) to “Office for People Differently Able” (OPDA).

     Please vote Yes on the non-binding resolution.

     Thank You for your cooperation in this matter.

Dear Assemblyman

or

Dear Senator

Years ago the agency which works with the disabled, to keep up with the times, changed its name from “Office for Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities” (OMRDD) to “Office for People with Developmental Disabilities" (OPWDD).

 As changes have been made in how we work with the disabled, it is time to again make a positive name change. I am proposing changing the name from “Office for People with Developmental Disabilities” (OPWDD) to “Office for People Differently Able” (OPDA).

There are excellent reasons for making this change.

The new name is: Positive
It demonstrates Acceptance and Respect
It is simple to explain to other people
It is a more accurate description of the individuals involved.

I am requesting your support for a non-binding resolution that states you agree with changing Office for “People with Developmental Disabilities” (OPWDD) to “Office for People Differently Able” (OPDA).

Please vote Yes on the non-binding resolution.

Thank You for your cooperation in this matter.