The longer life span of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) presents both challenges and opportunities. This presentation will highlight age related changes and their impact on these adults, their families, and their services and supports. Furthermore, the presentation will focus on Innovative and promising practices to address these needs and support these adults in attaining healthy and fulfilling lives.
Who Should Attend: Family members, friends and professionals who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Presenter: Tamar Heller, PH.D. Distinguished Professor, heads the Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and its University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She also directed the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Developmental Disabilities and Health and the Family Support Research and Training Center.
Her research focuses on health and long-term services and supports for individuals with disabilities and their families. She serves on the executive council, directs it’s publication committee, and is Vice President of the Americas for the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD), was President of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) board, a delegate to the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, and co-founder of the national Sibling Leadership Network. Her research focuses on policies and practices to support individuals with disabilities and their families across the life course. Specific research projects focus on self-directed and family supports, managed care, and health promotion interventions for individuals with disabilities. She has written over 200 publications, including 5 books.