AUCD - AUCD Honors Celebration
<< Back to ProgramTuesday, December 6, 2016 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: Grand Ballroom North/Central Salon
Session Description
Agenda
- 4:30pm - Networking Reception
- 5:00pm - Actors perform two scenes from the Temple University play A Fierce Kind of Love, a collage of stories, large and intimate, of Pennsylvania's Intellectual Disability Rights Movement.
- 5:20pm - Featured Speaker US Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers
- est 5:30pm - Awards ceremony
Event Description
The AUCD Honors Celebration is a time to honor deserving individuals who have made distinct contributions to disability research, education, policy, services, training, special health care needs, and the lives of people with disabilities and their families. The fun event will feature a bar, hors d'oeuvres, and entertainment as a backdrop to plenty of social time. Individuals registered for and attending this event will receive a ticket for a prize drawing at the Wednesday morning plenary; you must receive a ticket at this event and be present in the morning to win one of several highly desirable prizes.
Guest Speaker: Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5th), a six term Congresswoman and the highest ranking woman in Congress who currently serves as the House Republican Conference Chair, has accepted our invitation to be the featured speaker during the Tuesday evening AUCD Honors Celebration. Rep. McMorris Rodgers will share her thoughts about federal disability policy and the outlook for disability focused legislation in the 115th Congress.
Special Performance: A Fierce Kind of Love
The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University has embarked on the creative interpretation of an untold civil rights story - the history of Pennsylvania's Intellectual Disability Rights Movement. With support from the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, the Institute commissioned and produced A Fierce Kind of Love (AFKOL), a play written by Drama Desk-nominated theatre artist Suli Holum, directed by David Bradley and performed by a mixed ability cast. AFKOL uses word, movement and song to examine the Movement's history and celebrate the struggle, activism and fierce love that fuels the desire for dignity.
The Institute is pleased to present several scenes from A Fierce Kind of Love at the AUCD 2016 Conference. Our cast members are Shawn Aelong, Lee Ann Etzold*, Michael McClendon,
Lori McFarland, Erin McNulty, Marcia Saunders* and Brian Anthony Wilson.*
*Cast members appear courtesy of Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
You can ready more about the play here.
Award Presentations
The following awards will be honored at this year's awards ceremony:
- George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award: to a network member who has demonstrated a distinguished career of excellence and leadership in support of AUCD's mission.
- Leadership in Advocacy Award: in recognition of exceptional leadership and self-advocacy skills in the area of developmental disabilities.
- Multicultural Council Award for Leadership in Diversity: to a network member in recognition of their leadership in advancing programs and practices aimed toward increasing the diversity, cultural, and/or linguistic competencies within a Center or the network.
- Council on Community Advocacy Award: to a UCEDD who has exhibited the strongest commitment to support the full and active participation of self-advocates and family members.
- Anne Rudigier Award: to an outstanding trainee/student who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting people with disabilities and their families.
- Young Professional Award: to a professional under 40 who as demonstrated dedication and commitment to people with disabilities and their families through work as a bridge between the academic sector and the community.
- International Service Award: in recognition of outstanding contributions that further programs or policies designed to create more inclusive communities for people with disabilities and their families throughout the world.
We will also recognize the recipients of these awards presented at other times throughout the AUCD Conference:
- Special Recognition Award: in recognition of outstanding contributions toward creating more inclusive communities for people with disabilities.
- Gold Star Award: presented to a Capitol Hill staffer who exemplifies a true partnership in crafting strong public policy.
- Trainee Research Award: recognizing outstanding research accomplishments by a current or former trainee.
- Service to the Organization Awards: recognizing outgoing members of the AUCD Board of Directors.
- President's Award: presented to the outgoing President of the AUCD Board of Directors.