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07.05.11 | Voorhees man receives award for advocacy efforts

Nikos Pappas is a participant in Bancroft programs for adult with disabilities

Haddonfield, NJ — Nikos Pappas of Voorhees was recently honored for his advocacy work on behalf of people with disabilities.

Pappas, 46, was recognized by the New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP), at its 12th Annual Community Stars Awards Dinner this month in Princeton.

Pappas lives in a Voorhees apartment with support from Bancroft, a leading service provider for people with neurological challenges. He has long worked to increase community involvement and respect for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"Over the years, Mr. Pappas has demonstrated leadership and personal strength in his work in support of the developmental disabilities community," stated Bancroft staff member Michael Rogers. "He has exemplified the philosophy of community integration and self-direction in both his personal life and in his advocacy work. Furthermore, he has taken an active role in positively influencing services and policies that benefit not just him, but many others."

Among his recent self-advocacy accomplishments, Pappas:

  1. Advocated tirelessly for the new state law that eliminated the "r-word" and other outdated language from New Jersey regulations and statutes (bill S1982).
  2. Testified before the N.J. Senate Budget Committee this year and in 2010 against state budget cuts to community programs for people with disabilities, helping individuals move from state developmental centers into the community.
  3. Took part in local meetings of New Jersey's Statewide Self-Advocacy Network, which addresses the rights of all New Jersey residents with disabilities.
  4. Serves as an elected officer of Bancroft's Self-Advocacy Focus Group. In this role, Pappas has helped give presentations at New Jersey Self-Advocacy State Conferences on improving communication with support people, equal rights of people with disabilities, and what families, friends and support people should know about self-advocacy.

Over the last two decades, Pappas has overcome many challenges to become an independent self-advocate, Rogers notes.

"He has acquired all the abilities necessary to live independently in the community, with minimal supports. Today, he balances a full agenda of meaningful work, socializing with family and friends, volunteering in support of self-advocacy activities, and more."

Pappas works at BOSS, a Bancroft-operated printing and copy center in Voorhees, and for the organization's rug-cleaning service.

For more information on Bancroft, visit www.bancroft.org or call (800) 774-5516.

About Bancroft
Based in Haddonfield, N.J., Bancroft serves 1,300 people with neurological challenges in a wide range of programs. Founded in 1883, the organization has sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Programs include early childhood, education, vocational, supported employment, structured day programs, rehabilitation, community living, behavioral treatment, and in-home and outpatient services.

Bancroft strives to ensure that every person is given opportunities for lifelong learning and fulfillment. It does this by altering perceptions and supporting people with neurological challenges in achieving their life goals as valued and respected members of our world.