The Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center (DDDC) held a dedication ceremony to celebrate Dr. Jan Handleman, a longtime DDDC director, who passed away 10 years ago. Dr. Handleman played a pivotal role for more than three decades in raising public awareness of autism.
The clouds parted and the sun came out just as DDDC Director Dr. Lara Delmolino began her opening remarks to welcome the attendees, who included current and past DDDC staff, DDDC friends and supporters, as well as current students and participants in the adult program.
Director of Educational Services Maria Arnold, who worked with Handleman for 30 years, read a New Jersey State Senate resolution, initiated by Sen. Nicholas Scutari, honoring Dr. Handleman's memory and life’s work. Arnold introduced Dr. Handleman’s daughter, Lauren Arlen, née Handleman (MGSA ’05, SSW ’13), who shares her father’s devotion to working with and helping people with autism. She mused that her father surely must be with the group in spirit, looking down and enjoying the colorful festivities, as bubbles and blue balloons—the color for autism awareness—were released.
Read more about Jan Handleman’s legacy here.
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