Center for Disability Studies receives award for leadership in diversity

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
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Posted: Nov 26, 2007

HONOLULU - The Center for Disability Studies (CDS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education recently received the 2007 Multicultural Council Award for Leadership in Diversity from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). CDS was presented with the award at a special ceremony during AUCD‘s annual meeting on November 14 in Washington D.C.

"The award is specifically honoring CDS as the sponsor of the Pacific Rim Conference, an event that furthers cultural diversity in a respectable and appropriate manner," said Robert Stodden, Director of CDS. "The Asian-Pacific multicultural diversity found in the conference attendees and programs has long been recognized as a unique aspect of this annual event." The Pacific Rim Conference has been organized and sponsored by CDS for the past 23 years.

Through extensive extramural funding, CDS conducts programs and activities nationally as one of 68 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and as one of 23 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities (LEND) programs.

Along with the International Forum on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Developing Countries, the 24th Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities will be held on April 14-15, 2008 at the Sheraton Waikiki. The conference has a long-standing tradition of assembling researchers, professionals, paraprofessionals, persons with disabilities, family members, students, community leaders, and advocates to present on a variety of topics that directly affect the quality of life of all persons with disabilities and their families.

CDS is currently celebrating its twentieth year of education, research and service at the UH Mānoa. As a part of the CDS@20 celebration, CDS will launch a monthly community television program called Disability Perspectives, which airs on OLELO (Channel 54) every Friday in November at 6 p.m. One hour episodes include such topics as work and self employment, cultural and special education initiatives, human rights, disability culture, and other important community issues. Go to www.cds.hawaii.edu for a listing of future events.

For more information about the UH Mānoa College of Education, visit www.hawaii.edu/coe.

For more information, visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/coe