Recipients 2004
OADD Awards & Scholarship Recipients – 2004
Hull-Roeher Award of Merit
Presented in honour of John Hull and G. Allan Roeher to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution or special achievement in one of the following areas.
- Education: research in the field of developmental disabilities
- Humanitarianism: promotion of human welfare and/or social reform
- Research: scientific knowledge in the field of developmental disabilities
- Services: improvement of services to individuals with developmental disabilities
Mr. Malcolm Jeffreys
Malcolm, who died on December 19th, 2003, was a committed leader in the struggle to ensure respect and human dignity in services to people with disabilities. He was able to combine his compassion with a vision and practical actions. His 30 year involvement in the field gave him many diverse experiences and leadership positions within the Candian Association for Community Living, the Ontario Ministry of Community & Social Services, and as Executive Director of local associations in Lethbridge, Kingston, and Windsor. In recent years, he initiated the project Aiding the Americas, connecting with Community Living Nicaragua to provide medical aid to children with disabilities.
As John Lord stated in his tribute as an advocate, author, leader and teacher, Malcolm exemplified what is best about the community living movement. We would do well to build on his legacy.
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.
Dawna Miller
Dawna is employed by Family Counselling Centre of Cornwall and United Counties, in the position of Community Integration Services worker. Dawna has not only weathered three agency amalgamations over the past several years, but has maintained a consistent presence as a strong team leader in her organization and in the field of developmental services.
Directors’ Awards of Excellence
For OADD members who have made, or are making, a very substantial and extensive contribution to the direction, leadership and promotion of OADD.
Liz Sloan, Nathalie Garcin, Katherine Buell, Terry MacMillan
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.
Melissa Virgin – College student
Melissa is currently enrolled in her final year of the Developmental Services Worker Program at St. Lawrence College. Melissa has been very active with volunteering and working with individuals and groups of people with Developmental Disabilities since 1999. She has continued to provide respite care to 2 persons while working, as an educational assistant in a special needs classroom. Melissa has also worked at an integrated Summer Camp.
Melissa’s goals of advocacy and providing options for persons leaving school for continuing education and vocational work are achievable through her enthusiasm, dedication, and continued education through the Ryerson University in the Disability Studies Program and in the future, Teachers College.
Tracey Beck – Graduate student
Tracy is currently in her final year at Ryerson University, School of Disability Studies conducting a thesis on Inclusive Childrens Literature. Tracy has worked as an educational assistant in a High School, and as a residential Counselor in a local Community Living Organization and at Oaklands Regional Centre. She is the Canadian Coordinator of the Great Lakes Regional Youth Diversity and Leadership Conference since 2002 and the Club Advisor to a volunteering and leadership club for teens. She was a Homeshare provider; living with and supporting 2 women with severe intellectual disabilities for 4 years. Tracy plans to attend Teachers College this fall, and on graduation, enable her to more effectively influence the educational system to advocate for learners with disabilities.
Toby Staahlschmidt-Kah – Graduate student
Toby is currently in her second year of the MA program in Behaviour Analysis from the University of Nevada, Reno via satellite at the Toronto Campus. This is a unique degree program offered in Ontario only by this program. Her interests, practical work, and research interest is in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is currently a Case Manager for Children with ASD and appointed to the Complex Developmental Disorders Team with Family Counseling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington. Her private practice work focuses on providing Applied Behaviour Analysis programs for children as a team leader consulting with other professionals, and training families and staff to work with the child.