Each year, AAIDD honors a select number of individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The 2020 awards recipients recognized for outstanding contributions or special achievements are:
Early Career Award
Grace Francis, PhD, George Mason University
Education Award
J. Carolyn Graff, PhD, RN, FAAIDD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
International Award
Dandii Odgerel, PhD, Mongolian National University of Education
Leadership Award
Joanna Pierson, PhD, FAAIDD, The Arc of Frederick County
Media Award
Hearts of Glass, JenTen Productions
Policy Award
National Core Indicators (NCI) Program, HSRI & NASDDDS
Research Award
Beth Malow, MD, MS, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Service to the Association Award
Marco Lombardi, MA, FAAIDD, University College Ghent
Service to the Field Award
Celia S. Feinstein, MA, FAAIDD, Temple University
Student Award
Alan Santinele Martino, MA, McMaster University
Presidential Awards
Laraine M. Glidden, PhD, St. Mary's College of Maryland
Steven F. Warren, PhD, FAAIDD, University of Kansas
Exceptional Service to the Association Award
David M. Thissen, PhD, University of North Carolina
Distinguished Career Recognition
Barbara Mazzella, MS, FAAIDD, Commomwealth of Massachusetts