Killingsworth Wins Leadership Award

Vicki Killingsworth, a retired staff member of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at The University of Southern Mississippi was recognized with the 2010 Leadership in Advocacy Award by the Association of University Centers on Disability at its annual conference award gala in Washington, D.C.
The Leadership in Advocacy Award is presented annually to an outstanding individual who has exhibited exceptional leadership and self-advocacy skills in the area of developmental disabilities. Killingsworth, right, is presented the 2010 Leadership in Advocacy Award by Dr. Tamar Heller, president of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

Mississippi Home Corporation Named First Housing Initiative Partner of the Year

The Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) was the recipient of the 2010 Housing Initiative Partner of the Year award presented by The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS). MHC has been an active member of the IDS Housing Advisory since its formation in 2004 and has provided support in many ways to the Mississippi Home of Your Own Program including assisting with grant packages, providing funding, and promoting housing fair and homebuyer education seminars. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Royal Walker Jr., IDS executive director; Ruthie Bilal, MHC assistant vice president, Single Family Program Operations; Cassie Hicks, IDS coordinator of housing initiatives and Ben Mokry, MHC executive vice president, Research and Development.

Report on White House Autism Event

From Dr. Mark Yeager, Ph.D., TEAAM Executive Director & Coordinator for the Institute for Disability Studies

I recently was invited to attend an Autism Awareness Summit Event at the White House. This was an unexpected and great honor for me. I must say that I was very impressed with the attention that was given to the discussions that day by staff of President Obama’s administration. Approximately 60 stakeholders from the autism community attended the meeting. These stakeholders included; parents, professionals, organizational leadership and most importantly self-advocates. Of those in attendance about 2/3rds were parents and/or self-advocates. Many of these delegates held dual roles as organizational leaders as well.
The purpose of the meeting was to examine issues related to the Combating Autism Act (CAA). It is up for re-authorization this year. The meeting began with a message from Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement. Then the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, addressed the group giving us our charge for the day. Our purpose was to advise the White House staff of the issues that needed to be improved, added or even deleted from the old language of the CAA in order to move it forward consistent with the temperament of the autism community.
The stakeholder group was then divided into breakout sessions for the areas of Education and Employment, Community-based Services, Research and Innovation and Public Health/ Healthcare. I attended the Education and Employment session and the discussion was robust. Issues discussed were; consistency of IEP forms and implementation, quality indicators for education programs, transition support beginning earlier and lasting longer, post-secondary opportunities and sufficient supports for employment.
After group meetings we were reconvened into a general assembly to hear a report from each group. I am in hopes of soon receiving a full summary from the White House on all points discussed in each group. Once I have this report TEAAM will be sending out a notice so that I can forward the report to anyone that wishes to receive it. My impression was very positive of this meeting. The people that can make decisions and make a different were there. Hopefully this if the first step in moving the CAA forward in a more productive manner.