AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON MENTAL RETARDATION

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON MENTAL RETARDATION The AAMR promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It has been a major force in recent years in shaping current beliefs about all aspects of Mental Retardation. In terms of AAMR’s principles, it has adopted a 13- point set of principles to accomplish the mission: • Achieving full societal inclusion and participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities • Advocating for equality, individual dignity, and other human rights • Expanding opportunities for choice and selfdetermination • Infl uencing positive attitudes and public awareness by recognizing the contributions of people with intellectual disabilities • Promoting genuine accommodations to expand participation in all aspects of life • Aiding families and other caregivers to provide support in the community • Increasing access to quality health, education, vocational, and other human services and supports • Advancing basic and applied research to prevent or minimize the effects of intellectual disability and to enhance the quality of life • Cultivating and providing leadership in the field • Seeking a diversity of disciplines, cultures, and perspectives in our work • Enhancing skills, knowledge, rewards, and conditions of people working in the fi eld • Encouraging promising students to pursue careers in the fi eld of disabilities • Establishing partnerships and strategic alliances with organizations that share our values and goals The AAMR’s goals specify how the general policy directions of the organization’s mission will be carried out by (1) building association capacity, (2) building capacity to serve professionals who work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and (3) building societal capacity. The AAMR can be reached online at http: // www.aamr.org . It has an excellent web site for professionals, families, and individuals with Mental Retardation that promotes conferences, publications, policies, and other helpful sources of information. Contact information for the AAMR is as follows: American Association on Mental Retardation 444 North Capitol Street Washington, DC 20001- 1512 Phone: 202- 387- 1968 Fax: 202- 387- 2193 Web site: http: // www.aamr.org