2010 Young Professional Award
November 2, 2010
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| Derek Nord accepts the 2010 AUCD Young Professional Award |
Derek Nord, PhD, MSW, awarded 2010 AUCD Young Professional Award
Derek Nord, PhD, MSW, of the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, received the 2010 Young Professional today at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Conference.
This award is presented to professionals in the disabilities field under the age of 40 years who have demonstrated dedication and commitment to people with developmental disabilities and their families through their work as a bridge between the academic sector and the community.
From the presentation ceremony:
"Derek has worked tirelessly in his efforts to change employment supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout his career. Prior to working at the Institute on Community Integration, Derek held positions within private employment providers. Through these experiences he became steadfastly committed to the right of all people with IDD to have real jobs for which they are paid real wages. He became active in the Minnesota Habilitation Coalition (at the time a new employment advocacy and trade association committed to non-segregated work for people with IDD) and The Association for Persons in Supported Employment. He has held several leadership roles within these organizations since his initial involvement. Derek became willing not only to challenge the status quo within these organizations but also to advocate for change from a systems perspective. As a graduate student Derek attended the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities meetings as a community member. Other members of the Council encouraged him to officially apply and he became an appointed member in 2005. He now serves as the official UCEDD representative on the Council.
Currently he is taking a lead role on a national study within the ICI's NIDRR funded Research and Training Center on Community Living (in partnership with the Institute on Community Inclusion at U Mass Boston). This experimental design study is measuring the outcomes and effect of a comprehensive training and technical assistance program on customized employment services.
We thank and acknowledge you for your work, Derek and look forward to many more years of your leadership and participation. Congratulations, Derek."
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Established in 1971, AUCD is a membership organization comprised of three national networks of interdisciplinary, university-based Centers dedicated to research, education, leadership training, policy development, and direct service for people with disabilities.
