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Invitation & Overview

 

Dear Colleagues,

Multi-colored hands raised, text It is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2017 AUCD Conference - Lift Your Voice! - in Washington, D.C. on November 5-8. This year's theme underscores the critical importance that communication and advocacy, both collective and personal, have in our public lives. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share with and learn from a diverse group of attendees as we all work towards the goal of improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

This year has brought many challenges to the values we hold in the disability community. Nevertheless, when we come together, the power of our collective voices working to sustain vital supports and services for people with disabilities and their families cannot be denied. The AUCD Conference brings us together to discuss the strategies, innovations, and systems that will allow us to continue to move the needle forward.

We have an exciting agenda planned. The popular Sunday "Driving Change" sessions will feature each of our five Councils examining current initiatives in leadership, communication, training, and research as they pertain to policy and advocacy work. Plenary sessions and speakers will examine the current realities within higher education and the federal government, providing a review of the year to date and a discussion about what can be expected as we look to the future. Poster symposia will feature new and promising practices in research, advocacy, community collaboration, technical assistance, interdisciplinary training, and more. Join us at the AUCD Honors Ceremony and Celebration as we recognize the accomplishments of network colleagues and partners and celebrate together immediately after.

I wish to personally thank those individuals, including AUCD staff and network members, who have been involved in the planning and review of conference materials throughout the year. Their time, dedication, and expertise is vital to the success of our conference, and is truly appreciated.

Please join us at the 2017 AUCD Conference as we celebrate successes, learn from past efforts, seek opportunities in the present, and innovate for the future. I hope to see you there!

 

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Keisling
AUCD Board President-Elect and 2017 AUCD Conference Chair
UCEDD Director, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center

And the AUCD Conference Planning Team