Dr. Kara Ayers, Associate Director of the UCCEDD, received the Imagination & Courage Award at last month’s Sample, Savor and Support event. The award recognizes a Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics’ individual who develops innovative ideas, encourages risk taking, and learns from successes and failures.
In the last year, Kara has taken on a new role as the Associate Director of the UCCEDD. She leads with courage and grace. Kara builds strong community relationships and advocates with and on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Dr. Ayers also mentors trainees in the LEND program on the subject of self-advocacy. She influences public policy change in the area of her research interest – parenting with disabilities. Very few others across the country, or around the world, focus on this area in their work. Kara encourages all of us to challenge ourselves on our biases and approach to encouraging self-determination in people with disabilities. Her voice is essential to the mission of the UCCEDD, LEND and DDBP.