Our hearts and best wishes go out to those of you in Florida and Alabama who continue to be impacted by the devastating hurricanes this year: including: Brenda Phillips in Mobile, Latasha Hawk in West Palm Beach, Fred Bowers in Daytona Beach.

Congratulations to Cindy Yancey (CSPD '05 - Gadsden) who was named Employee of the Year from Darden Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. at their annual meeting held on October 20. Cindy received more votes than any other Gadsden ADRS employee!
See Cindy in action here.

Brenda, who is an Independent Living Specialist, says, "It was a nice surprise to win this and know that my coworkers thought enough of me to nominate me. I really do love my clients and they are almost like part of my family." Congratulations Brenda!

I am also planning a Shoppers Day for People with Disabilities on Nov 30th in which people with disabilities will be paired with volunteers to assist them in holiday shopping. Each participant will receive a $10 gift card and goody bag. They will also enjoy a cookie and drink with Santa. So far we have been able to raise $700 to go towards the gift cards.

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Sherry Matthews, a senior in Rehabilitation Services, was recognized this year as AU's Outstanding Female Student who has "excelled in leadership, scholarship, fellowship, service to others, and improving race relations on campus." Sherry was awarded this honor in May at the 13th Annual Minority Recognition Banquet.

In addition, Sherry is the recipient of two competitive scholarships: The AU Board of Trustees Scholarship (Fall 2004), and the John Dyas Scholarship. Sherry is a member of the National Society for Collegiate Scholars and her goal for the future is... "to apply for acceptance in Auburn University's vocational rehabilitation graduate program and pursue a career as a state vocational counselor." Sherry is interested in working with children and plans to either apply for acceptance into OT school at Tuskegee University or apply for acceptance in AU's master's program in Vocational Rehabilitation Services. "Either way," says Sherry, "the sky's the limit!"

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Dr. Vivian Larkin is keeping busy in the publishing world. She is currently the editor of  Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professionals Journal which is an official publication of the Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professionals Association (VECAP). This refereed publication is designed to advance knowledge and practices in the collective fields of vocational assessment, vocational evaluation and work adjustment. The Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professionals Journal provide practitioners, consumers, and educators with an understanding of critical information in vocational assessment and therapeutic adjustment services. The Journal concentrates on the methodology, program innovations, and instrumentation development within the areas of vocational evaluation and work adjustment. First-time authors are encouraged to write or call the editor for information and advice when submitting an article for consideration.

Dr. Larkin also served as guest editor for the Special Issue On Accessibility in Distance Education, 2003-2004, Assistive Technology. This is the official journal of Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Assistive Technology is an applied scientific publication in the multi-disciplinary field of technology for people with disabilities. The journal's purpose is to foster communication among individuals working in all aspects of the assistive technology arena including researchers, developers, clinicians, educators and consumers.
 

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Dawn Browning, program assistant and webmaster for REO's programs was awarded a scholarship to participate in a collaborative learning program from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The 1-year Distance Education Certificate Program provides a curriculum of courses to build knowledge, skills, and leadership in distance education and e-learning, including teaching strategies, learning strategies, technology, instructional design, evaluation, learner support, and management. The program culminates in UW's internationally recognized Distance Education Conference in Madison (August, 2005). Dawn will earn a certificate of accreditation in Distance Education upon completion of her courses.
 

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Brian Burrows presents awards at
2004 Awards Luncheon for the East Alabama Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities

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