AUCD Policy Fellow Presents at International Disability Conference

July 5, 2007

David Morrissey Presents at International Disability Conference

AUCD Policy Fellow David Morrissey presented at the 3rd International Conference on Birth Defects and Disabilities in the Developing World, June 17-21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. David presented "Effective Transition Planning for Children with Special Health Care Needs: Recommendations for Collaborative Systems." This presentation grew from a series of projects on transition which he began last year during graduate coursework in health care systems and as a trainee in the LEND program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus in Little Rock. The conference brought together representatives from every continent and included staff from federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control National Center on Birth Defects and Disabilities and organizations such as the March of Dimes. The conference provided an opportunity to share experiences and exchange best practices for building the capacities of developing countries to serve individuals and their families affected by birth defects through medical and community-based programs. Conference topical areas included surveillance, prevention, prenatal diagnosis, clinical genetics, and parent-patient associations. The next conference has been announced for India in 2009.

David joined AUCD in February as the 2007 Policy Fellow after completing the Master of Public Service degree at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.