2016 Special Recognition Award

December 6, 2015

The AUCD Special Recognition Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization outside of the AUCD network, to recognize outstanding contributions toward creating more inclusive communities for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Sharon Lewis

Health Management Associates
Washington, DC

In Recognition of Your Leadership, Advocacy, and Commitment to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their Families

"Sharon was a founding staff member of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the deputy administrator of ACL, and the commissioner of the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for seven years in the Obama Administration. During her time at ACL, she worked on improving access to inclusive home and community-based services, the development of self-advocacy efforts across the country, interagency work to improve the transition of youth with disability from school to postsecondary education and work, and helped to ensure those with intellectual and developmental disabilities had a voice in policies across the government. During her time at the Department of Health and Human Services, Sharon managed $1.9 billion in national, state, and local programs. Sharon was and is a strong supporter of the UCEDD network and a great collaborator with the LEND network of programs as well as valuing the research being conducted by the IDDRCs. Prior to that, as senior staff member to Rep. George Miller, Sharon was instrumental in securing passage of the 2010 House Bill, Keeping All Students Safe, and worked to include disability policy into workforce, general education, child protection, and early childhood education legislation."