Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
DocuSign Envelope ID:4CB7473F-4B13-4A9C-A9FF-64745B8579B8 <br /> UNV_� <br /> CAROLINA INSTITUTE FOR <br /> DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ioi RENEE LYNNE COURT T 9ig.966.5i71 <br /> CARRBORO,NC 27510 P gi9.966,2230 <br /> www.cidd.unc.edu <br /> Mailing Address: <br /> CAMPUS BOX 7255 <br /> CHAPEL HILL,NC 27599-7255 <br /> November 14, 2014 <br /> Orange County Arts Commission Grant Funding Committee, <br /> As director of advocacy initiatives at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD), I <br /> am delighted to write this letter of support for Barbara Tyroler. The CIDD is the federally designated <br /> University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in North Carolina, located at the <br /> University of North Carolina. In addition to providing a range of research,training, and services,the <br /> CIDD plays a role in state-level planning and policy development to improve the lives of individuals <br /> with developmental disabilities and their families. My role focuses on capacity-building and <br /> leadership training for individuals with a developmental disability, including those on the autism <br /> spectrum. <br /> Barbara Tyroler's recent project, Rockin'the Spectrum, engages the general public to appreciate and <br /> relate to children on the Autism Spectrum. She explores and celebrates inclusion as a way to enrich <br /> our communities. I facilitated the recent panel discussion that Barbara created, Public Art and <br /> Advocacy, as a part of the Rockin'the Spectrum project. This successful opportunity has begun our <br /> partnership to further connect with our community and promote diversity. The beauty and depth of <br /> Barbara's artwork offers new perspective that engages the community and expands the concept of <br /> inclusion. <br /> Susan Kermon is an emerging artist who is on the autism spectrum and a leadership trainee at the <br /> CIDD; Barbara and I have shared conversations with Susan about preparing for her first art <br /> exhibition. Barbara will explore and depict Susan's process through a series of portraits; Susan will <br /> respond to these works with text and potentially reinterpret the photographic image through <br /> artistic tools that include painting and collage. The results of this collaborative process will form part <br /> of a local art exhibition for Orange County April Autism Awareness month celebrations in 2015. <br /> The arts offer a medium for connecting within our communities. As a registered drama therapist, I <br /> recognize the power of the arts as a tool for engagement. I am excited about this opportunity and I <br /> look forward to supporting this project that offers individuals a means to speak up and share <br /> experiences and vision with our communities. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> A,��A;�q� <br /> Deborah Zuver <br /> Director,Advocacy Initiatives <br /> www.cidd.unc.edu <br /> www,self-advocate.org <br />