AUCD Meets with Obama-Biden Transition Team

SILVER SPRING, MD (December 17, 2008)- AUCD Board President Michael Gamel-McCormick, Interim Dean, College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy at the University of Delaware, and AUCD Executive Director, George Jesien, represented AUCD at a meeting yesterday with representatives of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team, along with several other national disability organizations. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the transition and broad policy issues. The group met with Kareem Dale, Disability Coordinator in the Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs Department, and Sharon Lewis and Henry Claypool, Agency Review Advisors. Other participating organizations included the Brain Injury Association of America, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Mental Health America, NAMI, American Psychological Association, Easter Seals, National Disability Rights Network, and National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.

During the meeting AUCD provided recommendations on health care reform, health promotion and postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Other issues discussed included Medicaid home and community-based supports, early intervention, and the importance of disability research as an economic stimulus. AUCD Board President Michael Gamel-McCormick stated, "The Obama transition team has been both thoughtful and comprehensive in reaching out to members of the disability community in order to identify a broad range of issues impacting the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. With our disability partner organizations we were able to communicate the importance of programs, research and support for persons with disabilities as they are part of the economic recovery and improvement of health care, education and other primary programs effecting all Americans."

An issue paper describing priority disability recommendations was submitted and is available for download.

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), located in Silver Spring, MD, promotes and supports national networks of interdisciplinary university-based centers and programs on disabilities. The members of AUCD represent every U.S. state and territory. AUCD and its members work to advance policy and practice through research, education, leadership, and services for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.