In the early 1960’s, a time when it was normal for children with developmental disabilities to be 
admitted as permanent residents of state institutions, a group of parents and supporters from Delano, California wanting alternatives for their special needs children formed a local association to collaborate with and coordinate community support and services for their children. The group received support from the community and its churches and from a willing school system which began a special class to fulfill the needs of children with developmental disabilities and other delays. These collaborations predated government initiatives in the community of Delano and served the children well. The parent group first organized as “Delano Association for Retarded Children” and later as their children grew “…for Retarded Citizens”. In 1976 the group whose core still consisted of parents together with the support of community members officially incorporated and soon after became known as “Delano Association for the Developmentally Disabled”. Some of those outstanding and bold pioneers included Queenie Kattner, Josephine Fraire, Katherine Coloma, Marcela Heise, Louise Tiltgen, and Mary Ann Kingsley. We are extremely grateful for their efforts and will never forget the love driven dedication of those parents to their children. The personal approach and vigilance begun by that group remains the hallmark of DADD today.
