Oral history interview with Devon R. Adelman and Susan L. Adelman, 2022
Abstract
Devon Adelman discusses her upbringing; experiences in public schools in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Seattle, Washington; and development as an activist and advocate for those with intellectual disabilities. Adelman, who has Down syndrome, recounts her efforts to ensure that she was able to participate in academic and extra-curricular school activities to the full extent of her ability and interest, a nd shares memories of notable accomplishments, including cheerleading on her high school team and presenting at the United Nations World Down Syndrome Day conference in New York City along with her parents. Adelman also describes her collegiate experience in Highline College's Achieve program, which led to her invitation to the Reach Higher Beating the Odds summit at the White House in July 2015, which recognized the achievements of college-bound students who overcame significant challenges to attend college, and at which both Barack and Michelle Obama appeared. Also discussed are the importance of school-to-work transition programs, Adelman's experiences in workplaces in Seattle, her public advocacy and affiliation with organizations representing the interests of those with intellectual disabilities, her competition in the 2018 Special Olympics U.S.A. Games, the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, and the significance of Rosa's Law, which President Obama signed in 2010 to remove use of "mental retardation" and related language from federal statutes
Presidents--United States; People with mental disabilities--Education--United States; People with mental disabilities--Civil rights--United States; People with mental disabilities--Social conditions--United States; School-to-work transition--United states; Special Olympics--United States; Adelman, Devon; Adelman, Susan; Obama, Barack; United States; Rosa's Law
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2022
Physical Description
62 pages
Note (Biographical)
Devon Adelman is an activist and advocate for those with intellectual disabilities. Adelman, who has Down syndrome, presented at 2015 United Nations World Down Syndrome Day conference in New York City. Adelman attended Highline College through their A chieve program, which led to her invitation to the Reach Higher Beating the Odds summit at the White House in July 2015. Additionally, Adelman competed in the 2018 Special Olympics U.S.A. Games, and advocated for the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, among other initiatives
Note
Interviewed by Nicki Pombier on June 15, 2022. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Devon R. Adelman and Susan L. Adelman, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023