Raleigh, NC (August 10, 2017) – Governor Roy Cooper appointed Alexandra “Alex” Cline McArthur as the new chairperson of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD). McArthur will begin her tenure at the Council’s quarterly meeting on August 10 in Cary, NC. 

McArthur is employed as a Consultant in Advisory Services for the Taproot Foundation, an organization that drives social change by leading, mobilizing and engaging professionals in pro bono service. She was formerly the national director of Young Adult and Community Engagement for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

“I am very impressed with Alex’s experience, energy, optimism and her commitment to the three goals of our Five-Year Plan to expand the avenues toward stronger financial security, to increase community living choices and to foster leadership development for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, families and stakeholders,” said Chris Egan, executive director of the NCCDD.

A North Carolina native, McArthur graduated from Davidson College, in Davidson, NC where she majored in History and also studied Spanish and Communications.

“It is an honor to have been appointed by Governor Cooper to chair such an impactful organization as the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Their mission to assure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to services and equal opportunity in North Carolina aligns closely with my values and passions. I strongly believe that, together, we will do amazing things to achieve the goals of the Council’s Five-year Plan,” McArthur said.

McArthur’s advocacy efforts include promoting national workplace inclusion as Ms. Wheelchair America 2011. Her work for inclusion and opportunity for people with disabilities led McArthur to serve as the inaugural co-chair of the Junior Board for IncludeNYC and become a founding member of DiversAbility, a global movement to re-brand disability. In 2014, she was chosen as a White House Champion of Change for disability and employment.

“Alex is clearly a leader, having gained valuable experience through involvement in many important advocacy efforts. She has a strong vision of what is possible to improve systems and attitudes that impact people with disabilities, and is effective in achieving collaboration among diverse groups of people.,” Egan added.

She also serves as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Disability Institute, an organization that drives social impact to build a better economic future for people with disabilities and their families.

About the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities:

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to assure that people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, integration, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. Through its Five-Year Plan, the Council identifies and funds innovative projects and initiatives that promote the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) for all North Carolinians.

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