2019 News Archives - Lurie Institute for Disability Policy

Lurie Institute Senior Scientist Joe Caldwell Collaborates on Report on Working Adults Providing Care to Children and Aging Parents

November 2019

Joe Caldwell, Senior Scientist at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy's Community Living Policy Center, recently collaborated with a team of international researchers on a report, "Burning the Candle at Both Ends," for the National Alliance for Caregiving and Caring Across Generations. This report focuses on the experiences of "sandwich caregivers," or adults caring simultaneously for their young children and aging parents. About the study, Caldwell says, "Many characteristics and issues facing Sandwich Caregivers mirror those facing caregivers in general However, the report highlights some important differences, particularly greater time demands and potential implications for health and economic well-being. Moreover, not only are Sandwich Caregivers more racially/ethnically diverse, there is great variation within this population. The report reminds us of the need to develop policies and practices that are flexible and approach families holistically, using a person- and family-centered approach based on an assessment of their unique situation and needs."

Lurie Doctoral Student Robbie Dembo Publishes Article on Consequences of Interpersonal Violence Against Youth with Disabilities

November 2019

Lurie Institute doctoral student Robbie Dembo was the lead author on "Symptom Sequelae Following Violence Against Youth with Disabilities" in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. His co-authors were Monika Mitra and Ilhom Akobirshoev of the Lurie Institute, and Susan Manning of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Lurie Research Associate Robyn Powell Discusses Disability, Employment, and Subminimum Wage on WNYC

November 2019

On November 25, 2019, Lurie Research Associate Robyn Powell appeared on WNYC's The Takeaway to discuss disability, workplace discrimination, and the use of subminimum wages for some workers with disabilities.

Lurie Institute Holds 2019 Annual Distinguished Lecture

November 2019

On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy held its Annual Distinguished Lecture, "Using Population Data to Inform Autism Policy in the U.S.," featuring Dr. Paul Shattuck of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University. A veteran autism researcher, social worker, and community advocate, Dr. Shattuck is respected in his field for his focus on real-life outcomes among youth and young adults on the autism spectrum. His lecture focused on the importance of data collection to improve autism policy and methods to make research findings more accessible to audiences outside academia, including self-advocates, policymakers, and service providers. Watch the captioned video.

Lurie Research Associate Sandy Ho Holds Virtual Town Hall on Disability Policy with Presidential Candidate Julián Castro

November 2019

Lurie Research Associate Sandy Ho hosted a Twitter Town Hall on civic engagement and public policy with presidential candidate Julián Castro on November 14, 2019.

Lurie Communications Specialist Finn Gardiner Testifies at U.S. Civil Rights Commission on Subminimum Wage

November 2019

On November 15, 2019, Lurie Communications Specialist Finn Gardiner shared testimony at the U.S. Civil Rights Commission’s hearing on the use of subminimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s Section 14(c).

Lurie Researchers at APHA 2019 Annual Meeting

November 2019

At the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in November 2019, Lurie Research Scientist Ilhom Akobirshoev received the New Investigator award for his work on health outcomes among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Robyn Powell and Kartik Trivedi held roundtable sessions on disability and health policy. In addition, APHA’s poster section included research by Monika Mitra, Ilhom Akobirshoev, Shoshana Finkel, Sandy Ho, Lauren Smith, and Robbie Dembo.

Postdoctoral Fellows Serah Nthenge and Hussain Zandam Join Lurie Institute

Fall 2019

Postdoctoral Fellows Serah Nthenge and Hussain Zandam joined the Lurie Institute in fall 2019. Drs. Nthenge and Zandam are eager to share their expertise in public health and disability policy with the rest of the Lurie team.

Robbie Dembo, Lurie Doctoral Student, Named Hon. Jonathan Brant Endowed Doctoral Fellow

August 2019

Robbie Dembo, a Lurie Institute doctoral student and research assistant, has recently been named the 2019-2020 Hon. Jonathan Brant Endowed Doctoral Fellow.

Rebecca Cokley, Disability Activist, Named 2020 Richman Distinguished Fellow in Public Life

August 2019

Rebecca Cokley, a longtime disability-rights activist and the director of the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress, was recently named Brandeis University's 2021 Richman Distinguished Fellow in Public Life. Cokley's work focuses on expanding opportunities for people with disabilities through policy and advocacy. Before joining the Center for American Progress, she was the executive director of the National Council on Disability, a government agency that provides advice on disability policy to the White House and Congress.

Lurie Research Associate Finn Gardiner Becomes Communications Specialist

August 2019

Toward the end of August 2019, Lurie Institute Research Associate Finn Gardiner became the Institute's Communications Specialist.

Finn Gardiner, Lurie Research Associate, Talks Disability Self-Advocacy on Podcast

July 2019

Lurie Research Associate Finn Gardiner joined the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Noor Pervez to discuss their experiences with disability self-advocacy on the Disability Visibility Podcast, hosted by Alice Wong.

Lurie Research Scientist Ilhom Akobirshoev Publishes Article on Autism and Hospital Mortalities

June 2019

An article by Lurie Research Scientist Ilhom Akobirshoev, "In-hospital mortality among adults with autism spectrum disorder in the United States: A retrospective analysis of US hospital discharge data," was published in Autism on June 12, 2019. His co-authors were Lurie Institute Director Monika Mitra, Graduate Research Assistant Robbie Dembo, and Emily Lauer of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Lurie Doctoral Students Robbie Dembo and Jenny LaFleur Win Accolades at AcademyHealth Conference

June 2019

Robbie Dembo and Jenny LaFleur, both Lurie Institute doctoral students, each earned awards at the 2019 AcademyHealth Conference. Robbie Dembo received the Best Student Abstract award for "Explaining Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities among Boston's Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Decomposition Approach," while Jenny LaFleur received the Best Poster award for "School Engagement among Children with Special Health Care Needs: Exploring Links between Access to Medical Care and School Attendance."

2018-2019 Starr Fellows Give Final Presentations

May 2019

In May 2019, the 2018-2019 Starr Fellow cohort presented their final projects to the Heller community. We are excited to see what the future holds for these promising disability policy researchers and advocates.

Anne Womer Joins Lurie Institute as Research Project Manager

Spring 2019

In mid-2019, Anne Womer joined the Lurie Institute as a research project manager, overseeing contracts with the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), with the goal of advancing policies and practices that enhance access to home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and family caregivers.

2018 Achievement Report Released

Spring 2019

In mid-2019, the Lurie Institute released its 2018 Achievement Report.

Brandeis Talk by Disability-Rights Activist Judy Heumann

March 2019

Judy Heumann, disability-rights activist, and Sandy Ho, Lurie research associate and founder of the Disability and Intersectionality Summit, spoke about the state of disability activism and its movement into the future. The presentation was sponsored by the Lurie Institute in partnership with the Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Sankofa Community Conversations. Missed it? Watch the recording.