Focusing on individuals with cognitive disabilities/mental retardation, autism, and related disabilities

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CALL FOR AWARDS NOMINATIONS

The Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children is pleased to provide for the annual recognition of individuals and subdivisions through a number of awards. Read More (.doc)

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Critical Issues Announcements

The steps for posing a critical issue or position related to Autism and Developmental Disabilities to the DADD Critical Issues Committee...

DADD Critical Issues Brief and DADD Position Papers

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Name Change: Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD)

During the DDD Business Meeting in Seattle a vote was conducted on the name change of the division that was proposed earlier by the Board of Directors.  This was, of course, a change made in response to changes in our field and changes in the needs of our constituents.  The new name of our division, the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD), makes more explicit our commitment to serve students, parents and educators concerned with the autism spectrum.  There are no other divisions in CEC that focus on autism.  The Board and the members attending the Business Meeting were unanimous in supporting all people with developmental disabilities and those with autism. 

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DDD Pays Tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy
and Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Senator Edward Kennedy, 1932 - 2009

Members and supporters of the Division Developmental Disabilities (DDD) of the International Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) mourn the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who was a long term national policy advocate for persons with disabilities.  At the 2008 International Convention of CEC, held in Boston Massachusetts, DDD along with CEC, honored Senator Kennedy with the Division’s “Distinguished Legislator” award – his personal acceptance of the award and rousing speech in support of children with disabilities was one of the highlights of the 2008 convention.

Senator Kennedy gave his life to the national policy arena by serving 46 years in the US Senate, while working in a constructive and effective manner with ten different presidents.  As Chairman of the powerful Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Kennedy played a critical role in numerous pieces of legislation which have impacted upon and improved the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities.  Important legislation that received his advocacy and leadership support include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Developmental Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family Opportunity Act, and most recently the Edward M. Kennedy Serve American Act.  His recent legislative focus included vigorous support for comprehensive health care reform and legislation designed to enable all Americans, including those with developmental disabilities, to receive long-term care services and supports in their homes and communities.  Senator Kennedy was a hero within the disability community and to millions of others needing a voice within the legislative process.

Robert Stodden, DDD’s Critical Issues Committee Chairperson and Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation Public Policy Fellow, said, “Senator Kennedy was the most significant national policy advocate for persons with disabilities ever to serve in the United States Congress and he will be sorely missed in the disability community – his unwavering support for children and adults with special needs and disabilities touched the lives of many people in our country.” 

Members and supporters of the Division Developmental Disabilities would like to express their extreme gratitude to the family and friends of Senator Edward Kennedy and vow to continue fighting for the many national policy initiatives he supported so passionately.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

It was with great sadness that the world learned of the passing of Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver on August 11, 2009.  Mrs. Shriver, however, has left behind a legacy that is honored and will be remembered by millions.

Educated as a social worker in the 1950’s, Mrs. Shriver began working with the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation in 1957 with a focus on prevention of intellectual disabilities and improving the means by which society can meet the needs of citizens with intellectual disabilities.  Through this work she and the foundation helped establish President Kennedy’s Committee on Mental Retardation in 1961, developed the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in 1962, established a network of university-affiliated facilities and mental retardation research centers across the United States in 1967, created centers for the study of medical ethics in 1971, and developed the “Community of Caring” concept in 1982 which grew into programs in 1200 public and private schools from 1990-2006.

Even with all of these accomplishments, Mrs. Shriver is best known for the creation of the Special Olympics which was inspired by her sister, Rosemary.  Special Olympics began in 1962 in her own backyard as Camp Shriver, a day camp for children and adults with developmental disabilities.  The first Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago on June 20, 1968.  Since its inception, more than 3 million athletes have participated in Special Olympics in all of the states and across 181 countries.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was formally acknowledged and honored for her work in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan when she was presented with the Medal of Freedom, and in December 2008 on the 40th anniversary of the Special Olympics she was presented the 1st Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award.  She can currently be honored with a personal tribute posted on her website: www.eunicekennedyshriver.org.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver may be best remembered for her words that became the motto for the Special Olympics, “Let me win.  But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”  As a community of teachers, learners, family members and individuals in the field of special education, we are thankful for the brave spirit that Ms. Shriver brought to all of us.

The Division of Developmental Disabilities would like to say thank you to such a remarkable woman and we know her memory will live on.

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Senator Ted Kennedy presented with DDD’s “Distinguished Legislator” award. Read more...

Photo courtesy Iris Puccini