Catching Up with Self-Advocate Roz Adler
Everywhere Roz Adler goes, her bubbly personality stands out.
“Seeing Roz can brighten anyone’s day because she is such a positive person. It inspires positivity in yourself,” said Eileen Stewart-Rooney, Guardianship Manager, who works with Roz on setting the direction of her ongoing care at the Helen Kaplan Intermediate Care Facility.
Though Roz’s life looks a little different than it once did, she continues to live life to the fullest. Roz once lived in an apartment in Wantagh, where she met her best friend, Carol Nash. Carol regularly visits her Roz – visits they both look forward to. Approximately 20 years ago, Roz Adler served on the AHRC Nassau Board of Directors, where she, in her words, “spoke up for people who couldn’t talk for themselves.”
Tom Moore remembers Roz’s contributions well, especially during his tenure as president of the AHRC Nassau Board of Directors and NYSARC Inc.
“Roz added value just by being there, making us aware of what we were doing, for who we were working for, and why we were all there,” said Tom, who picked up Roz from her apartment for board meetings.
Among Roz’s accomplishments on the board were her advocacy for the use of vans instead of buses for transporting people supported. Buses, particularly school buses, were not only uncomfortable, but signaled that the passengers were disabled. Roz, among other self-advocates, felt that the buses were not age-appropriate for adults.
Roz had the opportunity to help pick out the vans and its features, including large windows, comfortable seats, and arm rests. The use of vans to transport people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) remains standard to this day, enhancing the dignity and everyday experiences of people supported. During this time, Tom said, he and Roz Adler, as well as Carol, all became very close. Sometimes, Tom would stop by to enjoy take-out, and he recalls that Roz would always remember his order for him.
“She’s a principled lady,” Tom said. “The lady always, always has a smile. I’ve never seen her without a smile.”
To this day, Roz’s smile lights up House A of the Helen Kaplan ICF as she chooses how to spend her day. When Roz has downtime, she stays connected with family and friends through her iPad, and she enjoys doing word searches, drawing on her tablet, and reading.
Recently, Roz was thrilled with a visit from a local petting zoo, where she was able to hold and pet many farm animals. She shared she was reminded of her childhood pup recalling when she lived at home with her parents Joseph and Beatrice and her twin sister Ruth in Brooklyn and, later, Elmont.
Roz’s favorite thing to do is art. Twice a week, an art therapist visits, giving Roz the opportunity to express her creativity through crafts like building birdhouses. One of Roz’s favorite days is “Art Project Day,” which happens once a month. On this day, the houses at the Helen Kaplan Center take turns hosting art activities. Roz especially enjoys these days because they offer her the opportunity to visit another house and reconnect with people she doesn’t see as often.
Roz is proud of her self-advocacy work, and her constant positivity, even in the face of the challenges that comes her way, continues to inspire.