In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by Sitara Sethi, the CEO of the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities. Starting in 1986, the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities has always worked towards helping those with developmental disabilities. In the past 10 years, they have shifted more towards a nonprofit model to help grow services for those with developmental disabilities.
What exactly is a developmental disability? Sitara defines it as any physical or intellectual disability that affects the development of a person starting from birth or during childhood. The FDD aims to help this community by giving out funding (grants) to organizations and serving the regional center for developmental disabilities. These services are anything from rent aid, sports leagues, family activities and support programs, employment help, and more.
Some of the biggest gaps that Sitara has seen since beginning her work with the foundation are access to services and housing. Many people in San Diego are living with developmental disabilities and struggle to be able to secure and afford housing that accommodates their needs. They are working to actively identify and aid those with disabilities who are struggling with these situations.
An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with Sitara Sethi. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:
