April 11, 2008 Presidential Address
Dear AAIDD Leaders, Members, and Friends,
Earlier this year the AAIDD Board held a highly productive working retreat. There was open discussion of key issues covering a wide range of topics relevant to AAIDD, its collaborating partners, and our field in general. The agenda focused on our mission, key assumptions, strengths and weaknesses, potential future issues, and how to best position ourselves for a sustained vital national leadership role.
I am pleased to share with you a summary (attached) that reflects the consensus of the Board, staff, and invited guests who participated in the retreat. The information in the summary also provides the basis for our new strategic plan currently being developed. Please feel free to send your comments to me (drotholz@cdd.sc.edu), our executive director Doreen Croser (dcroser@aaidd.org) or any member of the Board (http://www.aaidd.org/About_AAMR/leadership.shtml)
There are a few other issues that I would like to briefly bring to your attention. First is that in March we again had a successful Disability Policy Seminar with several collaborating disability organizations. Approximately 600 participants had the opportunity to meet and learn from policy makers and Capitol Hill experts about current disability priorities. Participants also had the chance to meet with members of Congress from their own states to inform them about how their policy decisions affect people with disabilities.
Our annual meeting will be in Washington, D.C. May 28th – 30th. AAIDD president-elect Steve Eidelman and his conference committee have put together an excellent program on The New Professional: Leadership in Science, Practice, Policy, and Advocacy. You can find specific information about the conference at (http://www.aaidd.org/Events/DC/info.shtml).
On behalf of the AAIDD Board, thank you for your interest and involvement in AAIDD. We look forward to seeing you in Washington this May.
David A. Rotholz, Ph.D.
President