July 14, 1999
Governor Gray Davis State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Attn: Dario Frommer, Appointments Secretary Dear Governor Gray, I am writing on behalf of TASH, an international disability advocacy association, to offer our strong support for Phil Campbell's and Mary Cerreto's appointments as Director and Deputy Director of the California Department of Developmental Services. TASH is an international advocacy association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and people employed in the disability field, working together toward a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. It is an organization of members concerned with human dignity, civil rights, education, and independence for all individuals with disabilities. TASH has a very active California chapter (Cal-TASH) and over 500 Californians as members. TASH is supporting the applications of Phil Campbell and Mary Cerreto in recognition of the outstanding jobs they did as a team while heading the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation. There, they took clear stands on behalf of equity and quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and against separatism, stigmatization, abuse and neglect. TASH share's Campbell's and Cerreto's demonstrated commitment to: · assuring full participation for people with disabilities, in integrated settings that support the same quality of life available to people without disabilities; · advocating for high quality, comprehensive, inclusive services; · providing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to live in homes of their own choosing with all the supports needed for success; · assuring the resources and support needed for people with disabilities to perform real work in the real world; · guaranteeing protection from abuse and inhumane treatment; · assuring access to the richness and variety of communities in which people with disabilities are challenged, engaged, and valued. In addition to values and vision, Phil Campbell and Mary Cerreto are gifted administrators who have the skills to effect change and shape better futures for Californians with disabilities and their families. They will assure an administration that provides courageous cutting-edge leadership and progressive, principled, and cost-effective services for all California citizens with developmental disabilities. On behalf of the TASH Executive Board I offer our support of Phil Campbell's and Mary Cerreto's appointments to the positions of Director and Deputy Director of the California Department of Developmental Services without reservation. I would be happy to speak with you further about this recommendation if that would prove useful. I can be reached at 410-828-8274, ext. 101. Sincerely, Nancy Weiss Executive Director