Self-Advocates and NDSS

Self-advocates play an important role in the work and operation of NDSS.  Self-advocates testify on important policy issues, serve on the National Board of Directors, as Goodwill Ambassador and as part of a new pilot self-advocate program.  

National Board of Directors: Mitchell Levitz and Sara Wolff

Mitchell Levitz is a Consumer Issues Specialist at the Westchester Institute for Human Development, a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in Valhalla, New York.  He also works for the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State on various projects including the Speakers Bureau and the Real Choices Systems Change Grant.  He has been a spokesperson on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities and has served extensively on councils, boards, taskforces and conference planning groups.  He has served as the editor-in-chief of a national newsletter written by and for individuals with developmental disabilities, Community Advocacy Press, as a trainer in the area of consumer leadership, as a public policy advocate, and also as a team leader, advisor and trainer for two projects supporting individual choice for living in Ohio and New York State.  He has also received numerous awards for his self-advocacy on the issues of self-determination and choice and has been recognized by the New York State Assembly and Senate.  He is an author and accomplished radio and television presenter.  Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome, a book he co-authored with Jason Kingsley, received numerous media awards.  He has appeared on programs across the country, including Dateline NBC with Jane Pauley.

Sara Wolff is a Law Clerk at O’Malley and Langan, P.C. in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she received the O’Malley and Langan Team Player Award in 2001.  She has also served as a Hospitality Aide at St. Mary’s Villa Nursing Home.  She is a graduate of North Pocano High School, where she received an Outstanding Achievement Award as well as the title of “Most Inspirational” from her peers.  Sara has taken courses at Keystone College and served as a speaker for many organizations, including the University of Scranton.  She is a member of the ARC of Northeastern Pennsylvania Board of Directors.  Sara also organized the very first Buddy Walk to be held in Lackawanna County. 

Click here to watch a video of Sara.