DISES President's Letter - January 2024

Dear DISES Friends and Colleagues,

I really cannot believe that the end of 2023 is drawing near! I guess the adage is true…. time flies when you’re having fun!

And what a fun year it has been! It was wonderful to see so many of you at the CEC Convention in Kentucky in March. Our gatherings always feel a bit like “coming home” for me. Many of you joined us for the DISES Roundtable in Bangalore, India in July, where we had opportunities to meet new DISES friends and colleagues. I’m looking forward to seeing you again in San Antonio in March 2024 and in Panama in June 2024!

I would like to say a special thank you to the DISES Board of Directors. As a volunteer professional organization, DISES would cease to exist if not for volunteers like you who are willing to step-up to give of your time, energy, intellect, and passion. Thank you for your support during 2023 to make DISES such a dynamic organization and thank you for your friendship! A very special thank you is extended to Dr. Alice Farling, the DISES Executive Director, for the countless hours she contributes behind the scenes to ensure that the DISES work of promoting global knowledge exchange, collaboration, human rights, and advocacy to those who provide services for individuals with disabilities, continues unabated.

Please join me in extending congratulations to our newly elected DISES Board of Directors: 

• Dr. Jennifer Ward, President-Elect
• Dr. Keitha Osborne, Member-at-Large: Membership 
• Dr. Sophia Mavropoulou, Member-at-Large: Communications

Beginning on January 1, 2024, DISES will be in the very capable hands of Dr. Rebekka Jez. Rebekka has already contributed so much to the Executive Committee as Vice President; I look forward to her taking DISES to the next level in the coming year!

I have loved the DISES organization since my first conference in Portugal in 2014. At that time, I could have never predicted that I would serve in the presidential line of DISES leadership. I just knew that I had met “my people” at the conference, people from around the globe who were just as interested in the intersection of disability and culture! Serving on the Executive Committee for six years now has been a privilege and a delight. I have learned so much about the history of DISES and the details of running a volunteer organization, all while learning from exemplary DISES leaders. I remain committed to this organization and will do all that I can to continue supporting the DISES mission in 2024.

Finally, I wish each of you a very Happy New Year! I hope that 2024 is filled with peace, joy, and love for you and your families!

Sincerely,

Nicole M. DeClouette, Ph.D.

DISES 2023 President