The UDDC is pleased to recognize the following individuals for their contributions to our community! Awardees will be recognized at the 45th Annual Golden Key Awards & Disability:IN Utah Employment Summit on August 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City.
Family Member
Amberly Datillo
Amberly is the parent of two young boys who has dedicated her life to work that improves the lives of people with disabilities, including her son who has autism. She works in the disabilities field as an attorney and is a Board Member at the Utah Parent Center. Amberly never misses an opportunity attend a focus group as a parent to help inform policy, act as a peer to peer mentor for families in her community. Amberly goes above and beyond her call of duty regularly. Her professional experience and education make her a valuable resource but her heart makes her a fierce advocate.
Helen Post
Honorable Mention
Helen Post is the former Director of the Utah Parent Center who has dedicated her life to her daughter, who lives with a disability, in addition to helping countless other families who have children with disabilities. Thousands of Utahns have been impacted by Helen’s work, and she helped shape the culture around disabilities so that people with disabilities today are viewed by their strengths and capabilities instead of perceived weaknesses.
Legislator
Nann Worel
As a Park City Council Member, Nann Worel has listened to the community in spear-heading an initiative to employ individuals with neurodiverse abilities. Because of these efforts, the city has a record of being an excellent employer with opportunities for all community members. Nann’s advocacy and attention to the unemployment crisis among individuals with disabilities has brought awareness and education to the Park City business community.
Self-Advocate
Elliot Francis
Elliot is a wonderful role model and self-advocate for adults with autism. He is the co-founder and managing autist of Optimizing Autism an organization building community, support and resources for adult autists. Elliot volunteers his time raising awareness of the benefits of autism in the workplace with industry leaders along the Wasatch Front; increasing understanding of autism in the academic community; sharing his experiences and success to enable others on the autism spectrum to achieve their full potential; and by providing a forum for autists to come together, learn from each other and build community through the nonprofit Optimizing Autism. He is changing individual and collective perspectives of autism and improving employment opportunities across Utah.
2019 Self-Advocates Conference Spotlight
The Utah Developmental Disabilities Council held the Leadership: Building Strengths as Self-Advocates Conference at the Provo Marriott Hotel and Conference center May 16th -18th in Provo Utah where 93 people enjoyed the learning sessions and leadership skill-building activities. In this Self-Advocate Spotlight video, you will hear from the self-advocates who attended the conference share about their experience and what they learned.
Click here to watch the video.
NCBC 2.0 Digital Book Club
Join our NCBC 2.0 every Tuesday at 11am. This 30-minute digital club meeting will read together each week, and use the text to talk about self-advocacy. All readers and abilities are welcome.
Readings are provided through the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/UDDCbooks2.0/
To join the group call and chat, use the following Zoom login on your computer: https://zoom.us/j/839007223
Or, dial by phone
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 839 007 223
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aVROXh5Bg
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