JFK Partners, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (UCDSOM), is pleased to announce the appointment of Sandra Friedman, MD, MPH, Section Head of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, UCDSOM, as Associate Director of the Colorado University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program.

Dr. Paul Lipkin, Director of the Center for Development and Learning at the Kennedy Krieger Institute has been named a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellow. Dr. Lipkin will be working on Capitol Hill, bringing his perspectives regarding children with special needs to major health care policy decisions.

Karen Edwards, MD, MPH joined the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center as Director of Training and Director of the LEND Training Program in July 2010. Dr. Edwards was the Director of the LEND Program and Director of Education and Training at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) in Westchester, NY.

Starting in mid-August, Ms. Sue Swenson will begin her duties as OSERS Deputy Assistant Secretary and Ms. Melody Musgrove will become the Director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Your help is needed to identify greatness. We know that the individuals and groups of the AUCD Network accomplish magnificent feats each year. The presentation of AUCD Awards is our opportunity to acknowledge some of our best during our annual Awards Ceremony and Gala on Tuesday, November 2. Nominate a deserving individual or program today! Deadline: August 27.

July 26, 2010, marks two decades since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush.  To commemorate this wide-ranging civil rights law, disability advocacy organizations, federal agencies and Congress hosted numerous events throughout the week across the Nation and around Washington, DC.  AUCD co-sponsored one of the celebrations in Washington, along with about 60 other national disability organizations, during which House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) were all honored for their participation in drafting the ADA and for their ongoing advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

Live White House ADA Celebratory EventPresident Obama Spoke at the White House for the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, on July 26, 2010. Invited guests included Cabinet officials, Members of Congress, grassroots leaders and Americans living with disabilities.  In addition, the event included performances by Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, Patti LaBelle and Marlee Matlin, as well as remarks by Marca Bristo, President of Access Living, White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes. Video of the event is archived at www.whitehouse.gov.

The Riley Child Development Center Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Program (RCDC-LEND) celebrated its 40th Anniversary of leadership, service and training on Thursday, June 17, 2010. A reception and poster session were held in the afternoon, and the 2010 MCH Leadership Awards presentation followed.