2011 Leadership in Advocacy Award

November 9, 2011

From left: AUCD President Dan Crimmins, AUCD President-Elect Tony Antosh, Patty Smith, and Nebraska's Joe Evans

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.

Patricia McGill Smith

Nebraska's Munroe-Meyer Institute of Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center

In Appreciation of Your Advocacy, Leadership, and Service

"Patty began her career as a parent staffer at an AUCD member site. She was hired by the Department of Education and was one of the moving forces behind the establishment of Parent Training and Information Center programs across the nation. She actively pushed for both funding and recognition of Parent Information Centers and was one of the founders of this movement. Working under the OSERS Director, Madeline Will, Patty rose to an Assistant Director position and was interim Director of OSERS for some time. Patty eventually retired from the federal government and returned to Nebraska where she continued her well-respected activist role and soon became involved with numerous committees and organizations advocating for persons with all types of disabilities."