The Ruth Roberts Memorial award was given to Fairview resident, Dr. Susan Halter Savage, at the Twelfth Annual Tennessee Disability MegaConference Awards Banquet held May 30 at the Nashville Airport Marriott.
The award honors individuals who have a sibling with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and who create an environment of inclusion through community involvement and advocacy efforts. The award was given through Arc Tennessee, a non-profit organization that advocates for increased options in school, employment, services and inclusion in the community for those with IDD.
Savage’s brother Charles has Down syndrome, and her advocacy and involvement with her brother helped him live independently. Charles lived in his own apartment and had a job long before it was a societal norm for people with IDD.
Savage is heavily involved in the community and works to help individuals with developmental disabilities find inclusion in their community. She has served on The Arc Williamson County’s Family Support Council for 14 years. She also led he support group called On My Own, created for young adults to live as independently as possible. Savage is a facilitator of a Next Chapter Book Club and has helped individuals with developmental disabilities get computers, software and training. She is a Parters in Policymaking graduate, and she served on the board of director of WAVES provider agency. She works to help people with developmental disabilities who suffer from depression or other mental health issues.
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