This is the first time that a specific office in the Mental Retardation Division has been under the direction of an individual with a cognitive disability. The office will seek to accomplish the following goals:

1. Establish an infrastructure for greater participation of consumers in policy-making.
2. Encourage greater consumer participation in new and existing consumer groups.
3. Re-activate and support People First activities throughout the state.
4. Promote principles of self-determination and personal responsibility among people with
mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
5. Develop a consumer-driven support system for training, follow-up, and mentoring.

Director Joe Meadours brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the new Office of Consumer Empowerment. He recently served as the Coordinator of Information Referral at Access Living in Chicago, Illinois. However, Mr. Meadours is not new to Alabama. He was born in Selma, Alabama and worked with the Tri-County Mental Retardation Authority in Jasper, Alabama as the Co-Coordinator of the Celebrate Community project. The project produced three videos spotlighting the success stories of people with cognitive disabilities.

Alabama Mental Health Commissioner Kathy Sawyer praised the recruitment of Meadours for the position. She said, “We are proud of for the establishment of the Office of Consumer Empowerment and, in particular, the recruitment of Joe Meadours as its first director.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & MENTAL RETARDATION
334-242-3417