Oscar Drummond, a power chair user, sits in the front row displaying his award with Robert Zoytnia by his side also in a power chair. Council members stand behind them. They are in a stately room with marbled walls and flags.

PA Self-Advocate Oscar Drummond Receives National Recognition for Leadership

Pennsylvania self-advocate Oscar Drummond was the recipient of The Betty Williams, Champion of Equal Opportunity Award in recognition of his outstanding community leadership. The award is given by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities’ (NACDD) and recognizes self-advocates that make a real difference in their communities, states, and across the country. Six other advocates were also inducted into the Leadership Circle, including Robert Zoytnia from Plymouth, PA.

PADDC Executive Director Lisa Tesler giving the Champion of
Equal Opportunity Award to Oscar Drummond.

Drummond, an ODP Information Sharing and Advisory Committee (ISAC) member, was nominated by Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council (PADDC) executive director Lisa Tesler who presented Drummond with the award during a ceremony at the State Capitol on October 21. In addition to PADDC council representation, in attendance were ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens and PA First Lady Lori Shapiro.

Back row: Council Member Dana Barone, Council Vice-Chair Amy Mathewson Nieves, First Lady Lori Shapiro, Deputy Secretary Office of Developmental Programs Kristen Ahrens, Council Chair Lisa Butler, PADDC Executive Director Lisa Tesler
Front row: Oscar Drummond, Robert Zoytnia

ODP congratulates Oscar and Robert and thanks them for their continued efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities across the commonwealth and beyond!