With the upcoming AAIDD-TX convention this is an ideal time to join the organization.

 

Membership in the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) has numerous benefits for professionals and others working or interested in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Educational opportunities are the most obvious.  There will be many presentations at the convention that reflect state of the art practices and the most current information in the field.  The stat chapter is also developing smaller, regional trainings around Texas.  AAIDD’s professional journals and books include the latest research, practice, and policy advances in the area. Members-only educational web forums and electronic newsletters provide the latest information in the field.  Networking opportunities include 22 professional divisions, special interest groups, and action groups that communicate new information and in which on-line participation is invited.  The geographic structure of AAIDD allows networking opportunities on a state, regional or national level.  AAIDD membership automatically makes one a member of the Texas chapter and the 6-state Region V.  The Student and Early Career Professionals groups offer career and networking links to assist new members to make important contacts.  All members can access a Career Center for posting or searching for a job.  As a financial benefit members receive discounts on book store purchases (AAIDD publishes some of the leading books in the field), webinar courses, and convention registration (including the AAIDD-TX convention and regional trainings).

 

There are a variety of membership categories that can make joining financially reasonable.  Students receive a 20% discount for any membership category.  The annual dues for the Basic membership are $85.  This includes access to an electronic version of one of the two journals, the American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AJIDD) or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).  All members have access to an electronics-only journal, Inclusion.  A Classic membership (electronic access to both journals) is $135.   The Standard category, which includes print and electronic copies of the journals, is $185.  A Premium category, which includes special gifts of Association books, is $260.  A Corporate membership for $600 is also available, with 20% discounts for the memberships of an unlimited number of employees and other benefits.  On-line or printable membership registration is available at www.aaidd.org.

 

Although AAIDD has over 3,000 members from over 55 countries, our current Texas membership, according to the most recent report, is only 114.  Given that attendance at the annual convention often exceeds 300, it is obvious that the majority of attendees are not members.  Although AAIDD-TX welcomes all attendees, we obviously need to do a better job of attracting people to membership.  

 

I hope that some of you out there working in this field, especially younger individuals, will join the organization and help continue its proud tradition.  The Texas chapter is seeking ideas about how to increase the membership.  If you have any ideas or recommendations, or would be willing to serve on the Membership Committee, please contact me (ecraig1@austin.rr.com) or our Texas Association Manager (patholder@austin.rr.com).

 

For more information about AAIDD Texas Chapter Membership, please visit our Membership Information Page.