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Indiana Institute director testifies before House subcommittee
March 9, 2000
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- David M. Mank, director of Indiana University's Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, testified before the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday (March 7) on behalf of the American Association of University Affiliated Programs for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (AAUAP).
Since 1971, the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community has been an active member of AAUAP, located in Washington, D.C. AAUAP is the national organization linking the network of University Affiliated Programs (UAPs) housed at major universities and teaching hospitals in all states. This national network builds on the capacities of states and communities to respond to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
Mank, the current president of AAUAP, provided testimony that focused on the need for increased funding to support the work of University Affiliated Programs nationally. "Our outcomes (UAPs) have been impressive, the lives that have permanently been changed as a result of our services are many, our programs are strong, but we are losing ground. Our resources from the Developmental Disabilities Act are declining at a time when the need for community capacity building is increasing as people with disabilities become more a part of community life."
George Jesien, AAUAP executive director, stated after Mank's testimony, "This testimony is somewhat historic, as it is the first time AAUAP has had its own slot to testify before the Appropriations Subcommittee. In short, David clearly laid out the work of the UAP network and provided numerous examples of how the UAPs help communities and individuals with disabilities to move toward independence, productivity and integration."
Mank's complete testimony and accompanying chart can be accessed by visiting AAUAP's Web site at http://www.aauap.org/legisaff/main.html
(Joel Fosha, 812-855-6508, foshaj@indiana.edu)