1. NADE continues to work WITH SSA, Congress, GAO, and DDS Administrators to develop reasonable solutions to current problems within the disability program. We also seek to work with these groups to ensure the integrity of the disability program of the 21st century while also working to maintain public confidence in our ability to administer the program fairly and timely.

2. NADE initiated an examination by SSA of its federal quality assurance process by raising concerns that the current process was systematically flawed. NADE has pointed to perceived differences in federal QA review between SSA’s various regions and also the differences in the federal QA review of DDS claims and those processed by OHA. SSA has invited NADE to be a participant in a new initiative to develop a new design for the federal quality assurance process.

3. NADE initiated an examination by SSA of the concerns of the disability hearing officers and we have been invited to be a participant in the ongoing process to take action and develop reforms that will provide a remedy for these concerns.

4. NADE issued a detailed position paper addressing the Association’s concerns with, and areas of support for, the Full Process Model proposed by the SSA. Now that the Commissioner has made a decision as to which path the program will take in the immediate future, we are committed to providing support for the chosen path with hopes that SSA will achieve a disability program that will be truly effective in providing excellent professional service to the claimant and ensure public confidence in the program 5. NADE declared its support for SSA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding a planned revision of the federal regulations to include qualified speech pathologists as acceptable medical sources.

6. NADE held its annual mid-year Board of Directors meeting in Alexandria, Va. This meeting was attended by the Principle Deputy Commissioner of SSA, the Associate Commissioner for Disability, the Director of the Disability Redesign Team for SSA, the Chairman of the Social Security Advisory Board, the Staff Director for the House Social Security Subcommittee, and GAO representatives.

7. NADE continues to maintain its working relationships with key congressional leaders and the professional staffs of the House and Senate Committees that exercise oversight of the Social Security and SSI disability programs.

8. NADE continues to publish the NADE Advocate to keep our members informed.

9. NADE’s executive leadership is invited to attend the SSA/DDS Management Forums to provide DDS Administrators and SSA officials with a NADE update.

10. NADE continues to sponsor regional training conferences which provide our members with opportunities for continuing education and professional growth, as well as an opportunity to meet and engage in a dialogue with top government and congressional officials.

11. NADE will sponsor its annual national training conference. The 1999 conference will be held in Denver, Colorado, October 10-15, 1999.

12. NADE continues to sponsor additional avenues for continuing education and to offer professional certification as a service for our members.

13. NADE’s professional awards program continues to provide our members with an avenue for recognition of professional excellence and dedicated service.

14. NADE continues to have a working relationship with the current Commissioner of Social Security Administration, who has demonstrated his willingness to listen to our ideas and seek our help in implementing new policy initiatives.

15. NADE offer opportunities for excitement, fun and friendship to our members, and opportunities to develop leadership skills and other talents.

16. NADE is preparing a discussion paper to present to SSA and Congress asking for a waiver of the 5 month waiting period for claimants who have a terminal illness.

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