(September 10, 2016) From the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities:

Chris Egan, executive director of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, received the 2016 Deborah Greenblatt Distinguished Service Award from The Arc of North Carolina. The award was presented at the organization's statewide conference held from Sept. 8-9 in Charlotte.

The award honors an individual or organization that has contributed in a distinguished manner to the promotion of rights and/or services to North Carolina citizens with developmental disabilities.

Chris Egan receives an award by The Arc NC. Over 25 years, Egan has worked with and on behalf of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). He directed his efforts toward promoting positive outcomes for people with I/DD throughout his career. He also has an extensive history of volunteer leadership with The Arc of the United States, The Arc of North Carolina and the East Carolina University of Social Work Board of Advisors. He now serves as the executive director of NCCDD.

"We are excited to honor Chris Egan for his work in the disability community over his career," said John Nash, executive director of The Arc of North Carolina. "His service and leadership have been important in what all of us are doing for the disability community and we couldn't think of anyone better for this honor."

The award is named for Deborah Greenblatt, a North Carolina attorney, who was a passionate advocate for children and adults with mental disabilities and the executive director of Carolina Legal Assistance for 23 years. She was primarily responsible for bringing together the diverse coalition of disability advocates and education stakeholders who drafted the current bill promoting the safe use of seclusion and restraint in public schools, now known as the Greenblatt Act.

Ron Reeve, chairman of NCCDD, added, "We are proud of Chris and all that he has done in the disability community throughout his career. The Council members, staff and our entire community are very excited for him and this well-deserved honor."

B. J. Drye is editor of The Stanly News & Press. Contact him at (704) 982-2121 ext. 25, [email protected] or PO Box 488, Albemarle, NC 28002.

The original article was posted on Saturday, September 10, 2016 in the The Stanly News & Press Online