The Disability Special Primary Interest Group APHA was initiated in 1994 by a small group of dedicated researchers and clinicians interested in raising the visibility of disability issues within the largest public health organization in the world. Since its inception, the Disability Forum has grown in number from a few dozen members in the mid-1990s, to more than 250 members in 2007, leading to this important milestone in our brief history - Section status. Achieving Section status is a high water mark for all of us who have been involved in public health and disability issues for many years, and validates our work among a collective group of public health professions, organizations and disciplines. As a new Section, disability-related issues will become ‘front and center’ in APHA’s long term strategic plan, and will grow in recognition as an integral part of public health along with the 25 other primary Sections that represent major public health disciplines or public health programs in this nation. Knowledge of issues relevant to our Section will be conveyed to APHA members through high-quality programs at the APHA Annual Meetings, and Section Council members will be assisting APHA in addressing access barriers and increasing overall access at its annual meetings. APHA’s strong association with federal, state, community, and academic health professionals will be a solid framework for moving a disability agenda into the mainstream of public health. The Disability Section will work closely with APHA in improving health worldwide for people with disabilities, and will approach the experience of disability from a public health perspective through the development of science and evidence-based interventions. Overarching goals for our Section include:

1.    Educating the 30,000 APHA members about important issues related to disability;

2.    Bringing together a collection of researchers, practitioners and government organizations to better understand the Disability Studies perspective within the framework of Public Health;

3.    Collaborating with other Sections, Special Primary Interest Groups and Caucuses of APHA in addressing general public health and health care issues facing the disability community.

I hope you will be able to join us at this year’s APHA Annual Meeting in San Diego from Oct. 26-29, 2008. It takes on historic precedence as our first official meeting as a Section! Thank you for your continued support, and have a safe and happy New Year. 

Jim Rimmer, PhD
Section Chair