Dr.
Richard J. Robison is an ordained minister (1980) of the American
Baptist Churches in Massachusetts and has served several
congregations in the Boston area, including in Allston/Brighton,
Fitchburg, Gardner, Jamaica Plain, Malden, Milton, and Waltham. Most
recently, he served as the Interim Minister of the Community Baptist
Church in Medford, MA (2008-2010).
A
native of Chicago, IL, Rich has B.A. degree in Sociology from
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL( 1975). He holds both the
D.Min.(1986) and M.Div. (1980) degrees from the Palmer (formerly
Eastern Baptist) Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.
Since April of
1997, Dr. Robison has served as the Executive Director of the
Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston. The Federation
for Children with Special Needs is a private, (501c.3) non-profit
advocacy organization which provides training and information to
families of children with disabilities and other special needs
regarding necessary services and supports available in their own
communities. The Federation believes that parents helping other
parents is the best way to empower and assist families to ensure
positive outcomes for their children with disabilities.
Rich brings
over 30 years experience with the management of non-profit
organizations as well as six years experience on the Commissioner’s
staff at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation. From
1991-94 he served as the Protestant Chaplain at the Fernald
Developmental Center in Waltham, MA. He and his wife, Dotty, are the
parents of three young adult children, two of whom have Down
syndrome. In addition to pastoral ministry, he is knowledgeable about
a broad range of issues including special education, education
reform, health care, and human services.
Rich
has served on several boards and commissions, representing the needs
of children with disabilities and their parents, including
Massachusetts Department of Education’s Statewide Advisory Council
on Special Education. Locally, Rich is in his fifth term on the
Sudbury, Massachusetts School Committee. On a national level, he is
the Past President of the Board of Directors of the National Down
Syndrome Congress, an advocacy organization based in Atlanta, GA. In
2000, Rich and his family were recipients of the Dr. Alan C. Crocker
Advocacy Award of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress.
