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AUCD 2014, Awards

 

2014 Awards Presented to Outstanding Individuals

Photo of awardsThe Disability Community and AUCD network members - advocates, trainees, professionals - work to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. They inform the public, provide services, conduct research, teach the next generation, develop policy, and support others - all toward our goals of independence, productivity, inclusion, and self-determination. The effect of these daily activities is likely seen in a thousand small ways. Sometimes the cumulative effect can be seen in dramatic improvements in the lives of individuals.

18 awards were presented to network members and friends at the 2014 AUCD Conference. We are incredibly proud to recognize those who have made exceptional contributions to the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Read more about each individual and their accomplishments.

 

 
 

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Colleagues,

Every year at the AUCD Conference, we honor individuals, groups or programs from the AUCD network and our partners for their exemplary work and service. This letter encourages you to think about all of those people who deserve recognition and to nominate them for one of the AUCD awards. This is an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding trainees, outstanding young professionals, outstanding advocates and professionals. Please reflect on the awards and those persons in your center and in the network who are deserving of recognition.

Our network members - advocates, trainees, professionals - work to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. They inform the public, provide services, conduct research, teach the next generation, develop policy, and support others - all toward our goals of independence, productivity, inclusion, and self-determination. The effect of these daily activities is likely seen in a thousand small ways. Sometimes the cumulative effect can be seen in dramatic improvements in the lives of individuals.

The process is straightforward. Please take a few minutes to review the AUCD Award categories. Then nominate an outstanding individual, group, or program for one of the awards. Please submit your nominations using the electronic submission form below by September 15.

The awards will be presented at the 2014 AUCD Conference Awards Ceremony and Gala on Tuesday, November 11, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington DC. The Awards Ceremony has become one of the highlights of our Conference.

Thanks for your consideration,

Julie Fodor PhD
2014 Awards Committee Chair
Past-President, AUCD

 

 
 

 

AUCD Awards & Descriptions

Council or Committee Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals making a lifetime commitment to serving people with developmental disabilities and their families. There is no public nomination form for this award; please contact AUCD if you have a suggestion for a nominee.

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George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award 

This award is the highest accolade presented by AUCD; it is given to individuals or organizations making distinguished lifetime contributions to people with developmental disabilities and their families. The nomination must include a description of the candidate's accomplishments in research, education, and service and a biographical sketch of the individual or organization candidate. Information relevant to the community, scientific, educational, organizational, or political environment in which the candidate's accomplishments were made may be included in the narrative to support the nomination. The award was renamed after one of AUCD's distinguished past-Executive Directors, George S. Jesien, PhD, on his retirement in 2013.

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Special Recognition Awards 

The AUCD Special Recognition Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization inside or outside of AUCD, to recognize outstanding contributions toward creating more inclusive communities for people with developmental disabilities and their families. The award is given in recognition of professional and personal efforts in a programmatic area that proactively supports people with developmental disabilities and their families at the local, state, or national level. The nomination should include a description of the program area in which the nominee was centrally involved and a description of:

  • the complexity or severity of problems addressed
  • key organizations or individuals whose involvement in addressing the issue was facilitated by this member or group
  • use of original, innovative, or effective approaches to address the problem or issue; and
  • contributions to attainment of AUCD goals or national policy positions.

If a group or organization is being nominated for the Special Recognition Award, the name(s) of key people directly involved in the noted accomplishments should be provided.

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Outstanding Achievement Award

The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes a UCEDD, LEND, or IDDRC executive, faculty, or staff member who has demonstrated excellence in three major areas of the field -- teaching, scholarship, and service to the wider community. Nominations must include the nominee's contributions in two or more of the following:

  • Teaching. The nominee should have a demonstrated record of outstanding teaching demonstrated by teaching evaluations from students or colleagues. If the individual has received formal recognition for teaching excellence, please note the award title, source, and the year awarded.
  • Scholarship and Research. The nominee should have a record of research and/or publications in the disabilities field which have made an impact on the field. The publications may include books, book chapters, refereed journal articles, research notes, or monographs.
  • Community and Public Service. Contributions by the individual to community service working to support people with developmental disabilities and their families is an important factor in this award. Such activities may include service on boards and commissions, government service, and service to advocacy or professional organizations.

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Meritorious Service Award

The AUCD Meritorious Service Award is presented to an Association member or group in recognition of professional and personal efforts that proactively support AUCD in achieving its mission to advance policy and practice for and with people living with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. The focus of this award is service to the Association in a way that has helped build the capacity of AUCD to support its members and thereby improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.

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Leadership in Advocacy Award

The Leadership in Advocacy Award is presented to an outstanding individual or family member who has exhibited exceptional leadership and self-advocacy skills in the area of developmental disabilities. The nomination should include a description of the nominee's activities that demonstrate the individual's leadership and self-advocacy skills. The description should list agencies and events in which the nominee was involved that have made a significant difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

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Young Professional Award

This award is presented to professionals in the disabilities field under the age of 40 years who have demonstrated dedication and commitment to people with developmental disabilities and their families through their work as a bridge between the academic sector and the community. Nominations should include a description of activities exemplifying the nominee's contributions. The nominee's birth date, including the year, should be included on the nomination page.

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Anne Rudigier Award

Presented by the Rudigier Family to commemorate the accomplishments and commitment of their daughter Anne, this award recognizes an outstanding trainee/student demonstrating a commitment to supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families. Any UCEDD or LEND faculty member may nominate a trainee/student. The nomination should include a description of the nominee's activities while enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that demonstrate how he/she has made a difference in the life of an individual with a developmental disability. Please include the name of the school(s) in which the trainee/student is enrolled currently, and the school where activities for which the trainee/student is being nominated occurred (if different). Trainees/students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and in good academic standing are eligible. The awardee will receive $500 from the Anne Rudigier Scholarship fund.

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International Service Award

The AUCD International Service Award is presented to an individual or group of the Association or another organization to recognize outstanding contributions that further programs or policies designed to create more inclusive communities for people with disabilities and their families throughout the world. The award is given in recognition of personal and professional efforts in program areas that proactively support people with disabilities and their families at local, regional, or national levels in the host country.

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Multicultural Council Award for Leadership in Diversity

Only one final nomination for this award will be accepted, and it must come directly from the Multicultural Council.  To suggest an award recipient, email the Multicultural Council; do not use the submission form for this award.

The Multicultural Council Award for Leadership in Diversity is presented to an Association member or group in recognition of:

  • their exhibited leadership and commitment to advancing programs and practices aimed toward increasing the diversity, cultural, and/or linguistic competencies (in curriculum, services, supports, research, and recruitment) within a Center and the AUCD network as a whole
  • exemplary programs and practices addressing the areas of diversity, cultural, and/or linguistic competencies (in curriculum, services, supports, research, and recruitment) within a Center and the AUCD network as a whole
  • significant contributions in furthering the cause of diversity understanding for the needs of families seeking disability services.

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Council on Community Advocacy Award

Only one final nomination for this award will be accepted, and it must come directly from COCA. To suggest an award recipient, email COCA; do not use the submission form for this award.

The Council on Community Advocacy Award will be presented to the UCEDD that:

  • has exhibited the strongest commitment to support the full and active participation of self advocates and family members on its consumer advisory council;
  • has demonstrated leadership in the promotion and use of assistive technology to enhance the lives and participation of individuals with disabilities (i.e. may have a model program);
  • has an outstanding record in providing and encouraging best or promising practices in person and family centered principles; and
  • utilizes culturally competent approaches and overall consumer accessibility in all aspects of their mission (including publications, activities, and projects).

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Gold Star Award

Only one final nomination for this award will be accepted, and it must come directly from the AUCD Legislative Affairs Committee. To suggest an award recipient, email the Legislative Affairs Committee.

Established in 2002, the AUCD Gold Star Award is presented to a Capitol Hill staffer who exemplifies a true partnership in crafting strong public policy. This award recognizes the staffer for his/her professional and personal efforts to craft policy and implement programs with input from AUCD and the greater disability community, thus supporting AUCD in achieving its mission to advance policy and practice for and with people living with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.

  • Past recipients:
    2004 Amy Judge (Representative Langevin's Office)
    2005 Ellen Murray (Senate, Labor HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee)
    2006 Aaron Bishop (Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Professional Staff)
    2007 Connie Garner (Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Professional Staff)
    2008 Sharon Lewis (Disability Policy Advisor to George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee)
    2009 Kenneth DeGraff (Legislative Director to Congressman Mike Doyle, D-PA)
    2010 Adrienne Hallett, MTS (Professional Staff, Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee)
    2010 Lisa Bernhardt, MPP (Professional Staff, Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee)
    2011 Michael Barnard (Legislative Assistant, Senator Robert Menendez, D-NJ)
    2011 Tim Lynagh (Deputy Chief of Staff, Representative Christopher H. Smith, R-NJ)
    2012 Andrew J. Imparato (U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education,
    Labor and Pensions Professional Staff)
    2013 Karen Summar, MD, MS (Legislative Counsel to Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, R-WA)

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Submit a nomination here (Deadline: September 15)