Overview
 |
The Journey Continues
40 Years Advancing Equity and Excellence
through Research, Education, and Service
It has been 40 years since the AUCD network was founded. None of the major pieces of legislation that gave citizens with disabilities access to schools or early intervention or reasonable accommodations or employment existed in 1971. Yet even in 1971, the early university centers were having an impact on the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Those early centers recognized the great potential that a national network of university centers could have, and thus the American Association of University Affiliated Programs was born. 2011 is a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the last forty years, to face the challenges of today, and to imagine the future. There are three components to the conference.
First, it has been 40 years. It is important that we recognize from where we've come and celebrate our accomplishments. AAUAP/AUCD has been active in advocacy - we have participated in the development of legislation and policy that has dramatically changed the context in which we all function. AAUAP/AUCD has been active in systems change. Through research and capacity building we have helped move the world from institutions and segregation to community living and inclusion. The network of university-based Centers and Programs has been responsible for the preparation of literally thousands of professionals who have become leaders in the field working with and on behalf of children and adults with disabilities, their families, and communities. And AAUAP/AUCD has been active in promoting self-determination so that every individual can set the direction of his or her own life.
Second, the challenge - Advancing Equity and Excellence - continues. We have not yet met all the challenges and we have not yet gone to scale. There are still children who go to school in segregated settings. Less than one quarter of people with disabilities are engaged in integrated employment. Others live and work in segregated facilities and are paid sub-minimum wages. There continue to be inequities in individuals' access to health care, housing, transportation, and employment. We live in a time of change. It is important that we recognize the issues and challenges of today and develop solutions and strategies that will continue the journey. This is where the strengths of each Center and of the network lie.
Third, our work - Research, Education, Service - continues. We must continue to envision the future. Only through creativity and collaboration will we insure that the journey will continue with the same optimism and impact that it has for the past forty years.
The 2011 AUCD Conference provides a special opportunity to share your interests, talents, and perspectives with others in the network and our partners. The Call for Proposals will be posted soon, and we look forward to receiving your submissions and your subsequent participation in the conference.
A. Anthony Antosh, EdD
Chair, 2010 AUCD Conference Planning Committee
President-Elect, AUCD Board of Directors
Director, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
About AUCD 2011
It has been 40 years since our network was founded. 2011 is a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the last forty years, to face the challenges of today, and to imagine the future. It is important that we celebrate our accomplishments in advocacy, in education, in systems change, and in promoting self advocacy. It is also important that we recognize the issues and challenges of today and develop solutions and strategies that will continue the journey. And it is important to continue to envision the future.
The 2011 AUCD Conference provides an opportunity to celebrate the great strengths and capacity of our network... and to share those strategies in research, education, and service that continue the journey towards equity and excellence. Join your colleagues in this year's conference and help shape the future of the disability field.
