Recipients 2003

OADD Awards & Scholarship Recipients – 2003

Professional Recognition Award

OADD’s Professional Recognition Award is presented to an individual who, through his/her professional interaction with individuals with developmental disabilities, has contributed significantly to their integration within the community.

Karen Klee

 

Staff Recognition Award

OADD’s Staff Recognition Award is presented to an individual who is employed by an agency funded to provide services to those with developmental disabilities who, as a professional, has contributed significantly to better understanding of, or enhanced the well being of, those with developmental disabilities.

John McNicholas

 

Kay Sansom Scholarships: The awards, one each at the college, university undergraduate, and university graduate level, are granted to individuals who have a proven interest in the field. As such, the award must be used to pursue full time study in a recognized program associated with a professional discipline related to developmental disabilities.

Sean Seames  – College student
Sean is currently enrolled in his first year of the Developmental Services Worker Program at Fanshawe College. He has worked in respite work with VON- Family Support, coordinated a March of Dimes summer camp in Orillia and organized transportation services for summer camps for March of Dimes across Ontario. This past summer Sean was a special needs director of a childrens residential camp in Goshen, Massechusetts. Seans goal is to continue with his education at Ryerson University in the Bachelors of Applied Arts in Developmental Disabilities. He would like top work as an APSW or to teach special education. His personal goal is to become involved in advocacy to promote stronger laws and support issues of persons with disabilities.

Beth Craven-Thuss – Graduate student
Beth Craven-Thuss is currently in her final year of the Applied Developmental Psychology Masters Program at the University of Guelph. She will begin her Ph.D program in the fall of 2003. Her interests, practical work, and research initiatives are in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Beths working experience includes the Preschool autism project through Southwestern Regional Centre as an IBI Therapist and currently as a graduate teaching assistant at Guelph as well as a research assistant at the Childrens Hospital of Western Ontario in Child Psychiatry. Beths published research and presentations at professional conferences include both the neurobiology and psychology in the treatment of persons with developmental disabilities.