Southern Miss Holds Fall 2013 Commencement Exercises on Hattiesburg Campus

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ARTICLE | MON, 12/16/2013 - 10:15AM | BY DAVID TISDALE

From left, Rebekah Young, Dr. Lilian Hill and Jim Hubert Young III. Rebekah and Jim, brother and sister, graduated with their Ph.D.s Dec. 13 during fall 2013 commencement exercises on the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus. Dr. Hill served as their faculty adviser.

Their sibling rivalry propelled Rebekah Young and her brother Jim Hubert Young III to Friday’s commencement ceremonies at The University of Southern Mississippi, where they joined other graduates receiving diplomas on the Hattiesburg campus Friday, Dec. 13. More than 1,100 students were candidates for degrees this fall semester as the university held two graduation ceremonies.

Both Rankin County, Miss. natives earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration through the College of Education and Psychology’s Department of Educational Studies and Research. Rebekah examined disparities in education in her dissertation, while Jim’s research focuses on federal funding in higher education.

Jim Young plans to pursue a faculty position in academia now that he has his diploma, and is grateful to his sister for pushing him along in his studies. “I’m prone to procrastinate, and she’s highly motivated,” he said.

Rebekah Young, who works at the university’s Institute for Disability Studies, said she’s thrilled be finished and happy to have had her brother’s support along the way. “But I was not going to let him beat me (to graduation),” she said.

Associate professor of education Lilian Hill, who served as faculty adviser for both Rebekah and Jim, praised the two for their hard work and dedication to meeting the deadline they set of graduating this semester.

“Both took on ambitious dissertations that were different in character and methodology, helped each other with editing and other tasks, and created final products that they can be proud of,” Hill said. “They’re a credit to the university.”

Chloe Rouse of Oak Grove, Miss. graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in theatre. Currently a photographer for Signature magazine, she will also begin work with C Studio after graduation.

“I feel that everyone I have met at Southern Miss has helped shape me as a student, a friend, and a worker, and I am a better person because of it,” Rouse said.

Riva Brown of the Catahoula community in Hancock County, Miss. received her doctoral degree in mass communication. Brown recently joined the faculty at the University of Central Arkansas in its Department of Communication. “I’m so grateful to all of my professors in the School of Mass Communication and Journalism at Southern Miss,” Brown said. “I love the university and can’t imagine a better place to have received my education.”

State Supreme Court Justices James Kitchens and Randy Pierce, both Southern Miss graduates, split commencement speaking duties with Kitchens addressing graduates at the morning ceremony and Pierce speaking at the afternoon event.

Kitchens said Southern Miss is “an integral and very important part” of his life.” “A lot has changed since I was a student here in 1964, but not the spirit of this great university, which is still very vibrant and getting better,” he said. “These graduates are leaving here well-armed and ready for the world, just as my education from here has stood me in good stead.”

His message to students was straightforward – “The importance of being where you’re supposed to be.” “It may sound cliché, but the world is run by those who show up,” Kitchens said. “It’s important to understand where you’re supposed to be and when you’re supposed to be there, and what devastating consequences can develop when you’re not.”

Pierce, who also serves as an adjunct professor in the Southern Miss School of Criminal Justice, said he was humbled to be asked to serve as commencement speaker. He reflected on the people at the university who positively impacted his life, in particular one of his accountancy professors, Dr. Paul Torres.

“College is more about people than a particular place or buildings,” he said. “It’s about professors like Dr. Torres who make a difference in your life, those faculty and administrators who have such a great opportunity to affect student’s life academically and, ultimately, professionally.”

Pierce told the graduates as they moved on to the next phase in their lives to respect themselves and others; remember that a strong work ethic is the engine of success, to set goals, but be flexible; to surround themselves with positive people, but to discern the difference between negativity and constructive criticism.

He also urged them to remember when they needed to slow down and find balance in life. “Go and enjoy the opera, or a symphony, a nice play, read a good book or go outside and witness all the beautiful things like a beautiful stream or sunset the great architect of our universe has provided for us to enjoy,” he said. ‘Slow down and enjoy all these aspects of life.”

Southern Miss President Rodney Bennett said that “commencement is really why we do what we do, and that’s helping our students get to graduation,” he said. “Today they go forward to make a positive difference in their community.”

Bennett praised Kitchens and Pierce as being great examples of what one can accomplish with a degree from the university. “They show our graduates how far a USM degree can take you,” he said.

About the Author

David Tisdale

Senior Writer

·         Phone: 601.266.4499

·         E-mail: d.g.tisdale@usm.edu

David Tisdale is senior writer with the Office of University Communications.

 

AAPD Releases the 2013 Compendium on Disability Statistics

Gap in Employment for People with Disabilities Remains Too Wide

http://www.aapd.com/resources/press-room/aapd-releases-the-2013.html

For Immediate Release
December 11, 2013

Contact: Colin Schwartz
Phone: 202-521-4309
cschwartz@aapd.com 

Washington, DC (December 11, 2013) – Today, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, is pleased to announce the publication of the 2013 Compendium on Disability Statistics. The gap in employment for people with disabilities compared to people without disabilities still remains around 40.8 percentage points with 32.7 percent of people with disabilities employed versus 73.6 percent of people without disabilities employed.

“The findings contained in 2013 Compendium on Disability Statistics shine a light onto the unfinished work that must be done to improve outcomes of Americans with disabilities,” said Mark Perriello, President and CEO of AAPD. “Despite recent gains from the federal government to the private sector to increase economic opportunities, Americans with disabilities remain unemployed and outside the work force at alarming rates. Business, government, and community organizations must work together to build outcome oriented solutions at the local, state, and national level.”

The Compendium is a web-based tool that pools disability statistics published by various federal agencies together in one place. It is often difficult to find statistics concerning people with disabilities due to the fact that many different federal organizations publish their own reports. The Compendium, funded by the National Institute on Disability Research and Rehabilitation and produced by the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability (UNH/IOD) in collaboration with AAPD, works to address these research issues by centralizing the data.  

Key findings from the 2013 Compendium include:

• Labor force participation for people with disabilities has been nominally decreasing since 2008. Currently, 20.6 percent of people with disabilities participate in the labor force compared to 69.4 percent of people without disabilities.
• 13.4 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed compared to 7.9 percent of people without disabilities.
• 28.4 percent of people with disabilities with a Bachelor’s degree or higher are employed compared to 76.1 percent of people without disabilities.

These statistics are from 2012 (most comprehensive data available) and do not include people who are on public assistance programs, living in institutions, in the armed forces, are retired, or incarcerated. The Compendium serves as a reference guide for policymakers and comes during a renewed focus on employment as the government announced a landmark effort that would require federal contractors to set a 7 percent hiring target for people with disabilities in addition to other national and state employment efforts.

To download and learn more about the 2013 Compendium of Disability Statistics, please go to http://www.disabilitycompendium.org

###

About AAPD

The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest disability rights organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change. To learn more, visit the AAPD Web site: www.aapd.com. 

 

2013 Association on University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Network Report – Go to http://bit.ly/1iHk32b.

Across the nation and territories, AUCD network members and collaborators implement research based practices that impact lives and families regardless of ability, culture, age, language, or socio-economic background. This FY 2013 annual report reflects our network's on-going commitment to support and empower people with disabilities and their families to live meaningful lives; contribute to society; and to live, learn, work, and play in communities of their own choosing.  The Institute for Disability Studies is Mississippi’s network member.

 

Technology Learning Center Dedicates Playground for Disabled, Able-Bodied Children, Adults

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ARTICLE | WED, 12/04/2013 - 2:59PM | BY CHARMAINE WILLIAMS SCHMERMUND

Colton Flowers plays a musical instrument which is part of The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus’s new accessible playground in Long Beach. The playground, designed for both disabled and able-bodied children and adults, was developed by the university’s Technology Learning Center through a donation of $21,000 made by the Lions Clubs International Foundation to purchase equipment for the playground. The university held a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 4 to dedicate the new playground.

A new accessible playground for both disabled and able-bodied children and adults is now available to the community at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. The playground, developed by the university’s Technology Learning Center (TLC), was dedicated Dec. 4 after a donation of $21,000 was made by the Lions Clubs International Foundation to purchase equipment for the facility.

“This playground provides an opportunity for all kids, particularly children with disabilities, to have a place to play and be physically active,” said Dr. Royal Walker, executive director of the Southern Miss Institute for Disability Studies. “It is an excellent model of how a local partnership with such exemplary organizations as the Lions Clubs International Foundation and the university can serve collaboratively in providing support to the local community, including children with disabilities and their families.”

In developing the layout of the playground, the use of wheelchairs and walkers were considered so as to allow enough space for play and interaction. One of the first developments administered was the surface of the playground. Special pavers were installed beneath the grass to allow wheelchairs easier movement around the playground.

Ashley-Nicole Ross Flowers, coordinator of recreational services and assistive technology specialist at the TLC, served as designer for the playground. In designing each specialized space on the playground, Flowers said she kept the parent, caretaker and, most importantly, the child in mind.

“This playground was designed to encourage meetings and exchanges between children and caretakers who may normally have very few contacts and interactions. With all the stations on the playground, and the possibility of more additions to come, we are helping meet these children’s needs and helping them reach beyond their limitations through new experiences. We hope this playground helps all participants grow on a personal level.”

Appealing to all five senses, the playground features raised sand and water tables, a music station and raised planters, which are currently growing ginger, rosemary and mint. With the raised playground equipment, children in wheelchairs can easily sit at adjustable tables to play music, create sand structures and play board games, like checkers or chess.

In addition to the adjustable tables, an adapted slide has been installed on the playground to allow better accessibility for children in wheelchairs. The slide allows the caretaker to roll the child to the to the top of the slide, transfer them to a platform connected to the chute, then concludes to an elevated platform so the child will be at a height providing easy transition back to the wheelchair. The angle of the slide was also designed to not allow excessive momentum when sliding down.

Howard A. Jenkins, past director of the Lions Clubs International Foundation and Hurricane Katrina Steering Committee member, worked with the TLC to make the playground possible.

“Once this presentation was given to me by Nancy Ann Sherman and Vicky Bond as a possible project, it was obvious that this would be one of high priority and would capture the interest of Lions worldwide, as well as local citizens,” Jenkins said. “The very nature of providing specialized toys for children and equipment to adults alike touched a chord in my heart. On behalf of Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Lions of Mississippi, we congratulate TLC on the success of this project”.

The TLC is part of the Institute for Disability Studies, Mississippi’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service. The center serves children and adults with disabilities through assistive technology, evaluation, consultation and recreation.

Additional space is available around the playground for future stations. The TLC is looking for individuals and organizations who would like to sponsor a station. This includes monetary donations to purchase additional equipment or contributing labor assistance to construct new stations.

“We welcome other local organizations to join us in expanding this effort,” said Walker.

For more information about the Southern Miss Technology Learning Center, call 228.214.3400 or email tlc@usm.edu.

About the Author

Charmaine Williams Schmermund

Assistant Director of Public Relations

·         Phone: 228.865.4573   

·         E-mail: Charmaine.Williams@usm.edu

 

Technology Learning Center, Challenged Athletes Foundation Give Athlete More Competitive Edge

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ARTICLE | MON, 12/02/2013 - 12:57PM | BY CHARMAINE WILLIAMS SCHMERMUND

With the help of his special wheelchair, Chadric Seaman plays competitive basketball. (University Communications photo by Charmaine Williams Schmermund)

Through his relationship with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Technology Learning Center (TLC) and a grant provided by the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Chadric Seaman has developed into the fully competitive athlete he never thought was possible.

Since becoming a client with the TLC in 2012, Seaman has participated as an athlete in basketball, softball and tennis. Born with cerebral palsy, Seaman was never able to participate in sports. At 30 years old, he first learned about athletic programs available at the TLC, which is located on the university’s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.

“Being able to participate in sports has made me feel like I do belong amongst everyone else,” said Seaman. “I was never aware that I could be a fully competitive athlete before encountering wheelchair sports. I think the biggest barrier I had to overcome was that I simply did not know there were wheelchair sports available in our area. Another barrier would be the entire lack of ever being able to participate in any sports until I was introduced to TLC.”

With the help of the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Seaman received a grant that awarded funding for a basketball wheelchair, which was custom fit to his specific needs and functionality. By purchasing a basketball wheelchair specially developed for him, Seaman says it has helped him to better pursue his goals, as well as allowing him to continue developing into an athletic competitor.

“Here at the Institute for Disability Studies' Technology Learning Center, we are honored to work with athletes like Chad,” said Ashley-Nicole Ross Flowers, coordinator of recreational services and assistive technology specialist at the TLC. “Chad has the dedication of what a Paralympics athlete should be. He is one of the Golden Eagle's fiercest players, and whether we are winning or losing, he gets the job done in any situation.”

Although he’s happy with the sports he is currently playing, one sport Seaman wants to pursue is wheelchair football. “I have a goal of continuing my efforts to become a better athlete with each and every practice and game that we conduct,” added Seaman. “I would like to eventually participate in many different wheelchair sports as they become available.”

The TLC is part of the Institute for Disability Studies, Mississippi’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service. The center serves children and adults with disabilities through assistive technology, evaluation, consultation and recreation. In fall 2011, the TLC first developed the Southern Miss Golden Eagles wheelchair basketball team and has recently began a softball team for its athletes.

Since the team’s inception, Seaman has taken part in numerous events throughout the gulf coast to help spread awareness of wheelchair sports and all the amenities the TLC offers. Flowers added that Seaman has “displayed a great attitude within the community by demonstrating his love for wheelchair basketball and getting the word out about the wonderful opportunities available with the TLC and Southern Miss Golden Eagles.”

“I want to personally thank the Challenged Athletes Foundation for granting Chad a personal sports chair that fits his body,” said Flowers. “I have already seen an amazing difference with Chad's performance since he received his new chair. The TLC was honored to assist Chad with the application and process to receive this incredible grant.”

The Challenged Athletes Foundation, a world leader in helping individuals with physical disabilities get involved, and stay involved, in sports has distributed more than $1.4 million in funds to 980 individual grant recipients in 63 countries, as part of its Access for Athletes program. More information about the foundation can be found at www.challengedathletes.org.

For more information about the Southern Miss Technology Learning Center, call 228.214.3400 or email tlc@usm.edu.

 

About the Author

Charmaine Williams Schmermund

Assistant Director of Public Relations

·         Phone: 228.865.4573   

·         E-mail: Charmaine.Williams@usm.edu

 

WDAM News Spot on Dr. Walker

USM Institute Director for Disabilities Studies gets invite to D.C.

Posted: Nov 13, 2013 1:54 PM CST Updated: Nov 13, 2013 1:55 PM CST 

 

By Jeff Daley, Reporter - email

 

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

The Executive Director of the Institute for Disability Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi is traveling to Washington D.C. this week to attend the 50th Anniversary of the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act.
Dr. Royal Walker will join other professionals in the field as they meet with senior Administration officials to take part in a series of panel discussions about the past, present,' and future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dr. Walker says with these discussion panels they will be able to reflect on the progress that has been made in the last 50-years and chart a course for the future in serving people with these disabilities.
"We still have a lot of work to do. We need to build a strong community service infrastructure  so that we are transitioning people out of institutional settings and bringing them into the community where they have the support services, both informal and formal," said Walker.
These services are going to ensure they are able to thrive and be truly integrated into the community.

Copyright 2013 WDAM. All rights reserved. 

 

 

Southern Miss Director Invited to Participate in White House Celebration

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ARTICLE | WED, 11/13/2013 - 8:59AM | BY VAN ARNOLD

Dr. Royal Walker

Dr. Royal Walker, executive director of the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi, has been invited to participate in a ceremony marking the 50^thAnniversary of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act set for Friday, Nov. 15 at the White House.

The event will be held from Noon-3:30 CST in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House and feature senior Administration officials, special guests and a series of panel discussions about the past, present and future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“It is an honor to be selected to be a part of this celebration as we reflect on the past and chart the nation’s future in serving the citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Walker.

The White House Office of Public Engagement, in partnership with the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the National Council on Disability is sponsoring the special commemoration.

As executive director for the Institute for Disability Studies, Walker is responsible for the daily operations of the Institute’s Hattiesburg, Jackson and Long Beach offices and satellite offices in the Delta and Tupelo. At IDS since 1992, he served as associate director until 2007 and as co-director from 2007 to 2008.

Through the years, he has initiated and directed many state and local initiatives for people with disabilities. As an instructor at Southern Miss, Royal teaches disability courses in program design, cultural diversity and public policy development and implementation.  He has also been an adjunct lecturer at Jackson State University in the areas of administrative law, constitutional law and government.

Walker is a past president of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the national organization that supports and promotes the network of university-based interdisciplinary programs comprised of 67 university centers, 34 leadership education in neurodevelopmental disabilities programs and 19 developmental disability research centers located in and serving every state in the United States and its territories. He was awarded the 2012 AUCD Outstanding Achievement Award during the 2012 AUCD conference held in Washington, DC.

To learn more about the Institute for Disability Studies, call 601.266.5163 or visit:  http://www.usm.edu/disability-studies

About the Author

Van Arnold

Reporter, Office of University Communications

Phone: 601.266.5568

E-mail: van.arnold@usm.edu

 

National Disability Mentoring Day 2013: A Huge Collaborative Success at USM

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BLOG | TUE, 11/05/2013 - 3:39PM | BY MELISSA BRAXTON

Fall is the best season of the four. Of course, this statement is just my opinion. However, many people who share this opinion know that fall trumps the other three seasons with the Pumpkin Spice Latte alone. Well played, Starbucks! Well played. 

Fall offers a cornucopia of events for all to enjoy. Whether you are a Halloween enthusiast with a flair for the dramatic or an amateur chef who can’t wait to unveil a new recipe on Thanksgiving Day, this season has it. Fall brings amazing opportunities to celebrate.

This season also heralds the beginning of a new school year and the promise of gaining new knowledge. Maybe the poet William Blake had a glimpse of the future when he wrote, “In seed time learn, in harvest teach, and in winter enjoy.” That is why it is fitting that National Disability Mentoring Day is observed in the fall, as it provides the opportunity to celebrate and teach.

National Disability Mentoring Day, sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), began over 10 years ago and has expanded to include more than 20,000 people with disabilities attending events in more than 300 locations in every U.S. state and territory, and in more than 24 countries worldwide.

National Disability Mentoring Day began in 1999 at the White House to increase the profile of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is celebrated every October. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.

On October 16, Mississippi Partnerships for Employment (MSPE) for Youth with Developmental Disabilities along with the STEP UP to Leadership Council observed and honored National Disability Mentoring Day with over 60 youth and young adults, with and without disabilities, participating in various activities on the Hattiesburg campus of The University of Southern Mississippi.

This gorgeous fall day began at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), when Dr. Jerry Alliston warmly welcomed each participant and proudly introduced them to Seymour, members of the Southern Miss Football team, and several Southern Miss Cheerleaders. After a few autographs and a group picture, they were off to the USM Post Office where participants toured the facility, learned about available job opportunities, and shadowed post office workers. 

After a wonderful lunch at the Fresh Food Company, the National Disability Mentoring Day participants enjoyed a performance by the USM Dance Department students. The group ended their on-campus activities at WUSM, the Southern Miss Radio Station, where they learned about the radio industry and what it takes to become an “on-air personality.” 

After a short break, the End of the Day Celebration was held at the Oak Grove Community Center and featured two of Mississippi’s most inspirational advocates for employment opportunities for youth with developmental disabilities, Trust Jones and Cindy Singletary.

Just as the fall season seems to hold the promise of change, with its subtle and pleasant indicators that the cruel heat of the summer is not permanent, National Disability Mentoring Day 2013 held the promise of change. The theme, “Equal to the Task” complemented this day in October by restoring hope . . . hope that people with disabilities can be employed and be self-sufficient. 

Autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. This gathering of mentors and youth represented a harvesting of hope, opportunities, possibilities, and the dream of a bright future that could out-shine the summer sun.

The MSPE Project and the STEP UP to Leadership Advisory Council are both part of IDS.  MPSE was established in 2011 to develop and direct a state-level collaborative approach to improve employment outcome for Mississippi youth and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Managing partners for the project are the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights Mississippi, and The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies. The STEP UP to Leadership Council is composed of youth and young adults with and without disabilities. Council members serve as leaders within their schools, colleges/universities, and communities.

For more information on the MSPE Project or the STEP UP Council, contact Dr. Jerry R. Alliston atjerry.alliston@usm.edu or 601.266.5163.

About the Author

Melissa Braxton

Student Volunteer, Institute of Disability Studies

 

STEP UP Council Sponsors Fun-Filled Game Day at The Rock

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ARTICLE | THU, 10/24/2013 - 8:58AM | BY MELISSA BRAXTON

Participants in the Arc’s Rise and Shine adult program enjoyed a fun-filled day at the Southern Miss football stadium on Sept. 25. (Submitted photo)

At The University of Southern Mississippi football is a big deal. M.M. Roberts Stadium on the Hattiesburg campus is nicknamed “The Rock” and SMTTT (Southern Miss To The Top) can be found on car tags and bumper stickers throughout the state of Mississippi.

The Southern Miss football team has recently experienced a series of disappointing losses. However, on Sept. 25 when the STEP UP (Starting Today Empowering Peers through Uniting and Participating) to Leadership Council hosted the Arc’s Rise and Shine adult program, winning ruled the day. The STEP UP to Leadership Council  is composed of youth and young adults with and without disabilities. Council members serve as leaders within their schools, colleges/universities, and communities.

Within the confines of “The Rock,” the two teams of youth and young adults with and without disabilities displayed the type of winning attitude even Knute Rockne, former Notre Dame football Coach and considered as one of the greatest coaches of all time, would have applauded.  

The game-plan for this event was to have fun. The pre-game preparation began with Southern Miss football players signing autographs and posing for pictures. Next, a tour of the athletic facility lobby, which contains the jerseys and photographs of the Golden Eagles’ most successful teams and players, was given.

Both teams hit the locker room and equipment room. As the doors from the equipment room opened and revealed the expansiveness of the stadium and its impeccably groomed field, it seemed as though one could almost hear the fans cheering and the band playing.

The STEP UP to Leadership Council led the opposing team onto the field and the game began. It was a special type of game. Regardless of which team the youth leaders played for, they all played together. Each individual team member found a place on the field to shine, whether it was throwing passes, scoring touchdowns, or cheering from the sidelines. At the end of the game there was only one score, one team, and one win. The game was played with dignity and teamwork. It was not an exhibition of skill, but of amazing will.

For more information on the STEP UP Council, a subcommittee of the Institute for Disabilities Studies’ overall advisory council, visit the website at www.usm.edu/disability-studies/stepup or contact the staff liaison Dr. Jerry R. Alliston at jerry.alliston@usm.edu. 

 

About the Author

Melissa Braxton

Volunteer in the Department of Social Work

 

Sharon Lewis Named as Principal Deputy of ACL and as Secretary Sebelius’ Senior Advisor on Disability Policy

Please join me in congratulating Sharon Lewis, who was recently named as the Principal Deputy Administrator at the Administration for Community Living (ACL), as well as Secretary Sebelius’ Senior Advisor on Disability Policy. These new roles and responsibilities are a reflection of Sharon’s hard work and commitment to the goals and mission of ACL and its programs.

Ms. Lewis came to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to lead the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) in the spring of 2010. Prior to joining the Administration, Ms. Lewis spent over a decade working on disability policy at the state and local level. She spent three years as Senior Disability Policy Advisor to Chairman George Miller of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor. She also assisted President Obama’s Transition Team as a member of the U.S. Department of Education Agency Review Team and, before that, served as a Kennedy Public Policy Fellow on the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families with Chairman Chris Dodd.

During her tenure as AIDD’s Commissioner, Ms. Lewis was a steadfast advocate for the implementation of policies and programs that improve the lives of those living with disabilities and their families. Over the past year, she also served as ACL’s Acting Principal Deputy, playing an integral role in ACL’s development and continuing her advocacy for access to community supports. As ACL moves forward, Sharon will continue to provide the agency with her strong leadership to meet the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities across the lifespan.

As Ms. Lewis takes on her new role, I am pleased to also announce that Aaron Bishop will become AIDD’s Acting Commissioner. Mr. Bishop has nearly twenty years of experience working with and for individuals with disabilities in both the direct practice and public policy sectors. For the past year, Mr. Bishop has served as AIDD’s Deputy Commissioner. Before joining AIDD, Aaron was the Executive Director of the National Council on Disability. His previous experience includes a Kennedy Foundation Public Policy Fellowship to work on federal disability policy and legislation for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

I look forward to continuing our work together and to fulfilling our important mission.

Kathy Greenlee
Administrator, Administration for Community Living

 

Check out the current edition of the AUCD Legislative News In Brief.  This weekly newsletter highlights federal legislative activities related to disability issues, including legislation moving through Congress, initiatives in the President’s Administration, and policymaking activities in the AUCD network and the disability community.  View the current edition and subscribe to future issues at http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=164.

 

Hurricane Readiness / Response Videos

 

The National Just In Time Disaster Training On-Line Video has over 30 easy to access videos focusing on how residents can prepare themselves, their families, their homes and their workplace for an approaching hurricane.

 

The subjects of these videos are:

 

• Emergency Home Board-Up
• Filling Sandbags Safely
• Chainsaw Safety
• Safe Generator Usage
• Food Safety During Power Outages
• How to Turn Off Utilities
• Downed Electrical Line Safety

 

This FREE on-line library can be accessed at the following web site:

 

www.JustInTimeDisasterTraining.org

 

AmeriCorps Celebrates 20 Years

   On September 21, 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act, which created AmeriCorps. Since its inception, more than 820,000 men and women have taken the AmeriCorps pledge to "get things done for America," serving more than one billion hours and improving the lives of countless Americans.

   Starting in September 2013, CNCS will recognize the extraordinary impact of AmeriCorps and its 20 years of serving America.  Get started by learning about our history, checking out our AmeriCorps 20 resource center, and joining us on social media. Visit the online home of the AmeriCorps 20th anniversary: http://1.usa.gov/1fecLi4

 

 

 

September is National Preparedness Month

 

This month is the annual campaign to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses and communities. We want to encourage you – as individuals and families – to pledge to prepare during the month of September but we also want to encourage you and your family to make preparedness a part of your daily life every day moving forward. Here are three easy steps for you and your family to take to get involved and be better prepared:

    Step 1: Pledge to Prepare

    The first step to getting involved is to register as a coalition member at Ready.gov/pledge. Members will have access to the online community, resources and tools available to help get you and your family prepared for an emergency.

    Step 2: Take a Free Online Preparedness Course

http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/courseOverview.aspx?code=is-909

    Developed in partnership with the Emergency Management Institute and in consultation with faith-based and community partners, FEMA’s “IS-909 Community Preparedness: Implementing Simple Activities for Everyone” training course will introduce you to a program for promoting individual and community preparedness through simple and engaging activities. The course is free, available online and is designed for anyone to use in coordination with your local emergency preparedness partners.

    Step 3: Implement Simple Preparedness Activities

    FEMA has made available to the public, free training and resources to help you and your family to take action and implement simple preparedness activities. Some of the simple activities include:

•Creating a no-cost or low-cost disaster kit < http://emilms.fema.gov/IS909/assets/01_PreparednessOnAShoestring.pdf >;

•Preparing for utility outages < http://emilms.fema.gov/IS909/assets/14_GoingOffGrid.pdf >; and

•How to use a fire extinguisher < http://emilms.fema.gov/IS909/assets/09_PuttingOutFires.pdf >.

 

NCBDDD Communications Alert: Real Stories of Emergency Preparedness in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

 

 

 

Real Stories of Emergency Preparedness in Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

 

September marks the beginning of the annual observance of National Preparedness Month. This year the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Family Voices have partnered to recognize the unique experiences of families and health providers during emergency situations. This partnership has resulted in a collection of family stories  that highlight emergency preparedness in children and youth with special health care needs.

 

We invite you to read and share these stories with others. If you are interested in working with us to create more family stories throughout the year please email Dr. Georgina Peacock (ghn3@cdc.gov ) using subject line “Emergency Preparedness for CYSHCN.”

 

 

Erica Cook Reott, MPH | Acting Deputy Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships

Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | O: 404-498-3079 | C: 404-357-1802 | Email: EReott@cdc.gov 

Telecommuting Tuesdays and can be reached at: 678-308-8246

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd