2018: Leadership in State Policy

Thank you for a fantastic evening!

Dear Friends,

Thank you for attending and supporting the March 20th 2018 AUCD for All Gala to celebrate state-level leadership in disability policy. As said at the event, “States are laboratories for innovation and change,” and your work, whether it’s federal, state, or local, is a vital part of this effort. For more than five decades, AUCD’s network of Centers in every state and territory has invested, through research, training, and advocacy, in improving the lives of millions of individuals with disabilities, their families, and communities. With your support and partnership, we plan to continue for decades more.

Over 300 partners, friends, supporters, network members, advocates, and family members listened as U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (at left), ACL Principal Deputy Administrator Mary Lazare, and former South Dakota Representative Jacqueline Sly spoke about the collective accomplishments in state policy, and the important work still to be done. We honored South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, who has led the way to advance employment outcomes for people with disabilities in his state, and Rita Landgraf, former Secretary of Health and Social Services in Delaware, who has worked tirelessly to expand community living for people with mental health and developmental disabilities as well as employment outcomes in the state of Delaware.

We are deeply appreciative of the support of our sponsors, friends, and colleagues, and hope to see all of you next year as we come back together to celebrate and honor the leaders in the disability community doing important work to build a better future for people with disabilities and their families.

With warmest regards and gratitude,

Andy Imparato

AUCD4all 2017: Celebrating Leadership in EmploymentClick to view the album above.

AUCD for All 2018 Gala: Celebrating Leadership in State Policy

Join the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) on March 20, 2018, to celebrate state-level leadership in disability policy. States are often the catalysts for innovation, and AUCD members are engaging with policy makers and coalition partners in every state and territory by presenting research, conducting training, and developing and advocating for those who are transforming policy and leading the way toward inclusion, opportunity, and social justice for all.policies that will improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities. The AUCD for All celebration brings together leaders from all sectors who are tireless advocates for disability rights, equity, and inclusion. These leaders advocate with their legislature to open scholarships to students with intellectual disabilities, engage with their Medicaid agency to guarantee home and community based supports, partner with local school boards or school districts to eliminate policies for restraint and seclusion, and train and empower self-advocates and early career professionals to have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their communities. On this night we honor those who are transforming policy and leading the way toward inclusion, opportunity, and social justice for all.

AUCD Network Leadership in State Policy

Select a pin below to read the story of how an AUCD member has transformed policy for people with disabilities in their state.

 

AUCD Thanks our 2018 Gala Sponsors