March 2020

April Dunn

On March 28, 2020 Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a press release announcing the passing of 33-year old April Dunn who succumbed to complications from COVID-19. April was a dedicated staff member who served in the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs and a tireless advocate for people with disabilities.

Photos of April can be found here, along with a Public Service Announcement April filmed with the Governor in 2018, which can be found here. April’s memorial service will be on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 3912 Gus Young Ave., Baton Rouge, La.  

Louisiana Public Broadcasting Segment on Louisiana Acadians, Founder Population, and Congenital Hearing Loss

The Louisiana Deafblind Project for Children and Youth is housed within the Human Development Center on the LSU Health Sciences Center campus in New Orleans.  Researchers and clinicians within the Health Sciences Center have, for many years, recognized the importance of studying the Louisiana Acadians as a genetic founder population.  This public television segment highlights some of the recent collaboration between the Department of Genetics and the Louisiana Deafblind Project.  https://youtu.be/D5PNE4jWAnA?list=PL7YPMkCACwzzivZ68e9WVeYouyRQJhPKs&t=1292

LaDDC Suspends Meetings and Activities

Yesterday the Executive Committee met and decided to suspend all Council meetings and in-person activities until further notice.  Due to the ever changing status of the situation there is not a definitive end date to this suspension.  A decision to resume in-person activities will be made based on guidance and direction of CDC and the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force. 

Specifically, the Council will not hold its April Council meeting nor standing Committee meetings in April (i.e., Act 378 Committee, Education and Employment Committee, Self-determination and Community Inclusion Committee).  Additionally, all Ad Hoc Committee meetings are suspended until further notice, including Executive Director Search Committee, FY21 Planning Ad Hoc Committee, Membership Committee, and the Grievance Ad Hoc Committee. 

If you would like to share the message of the Council status here is the link to the Council’s LaDDC News – Council Suspends Meetings and In-Person Activities: https://laddc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/LaDDC_News-Council_Suspension_of_Meetings_and_Activities.pdf

Beckwith/Wiedemann Syndrome Awareness Month

Come learn about Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS). The event will be held at 2716 Indiana Avenue, Kenner, Louisiana, on Sunday, April 5, 2020. The event is free and open to the public, but you should email kolivaphotographyllc@gmail.com to reserve a seat and table for gumbo and jambalaya.