Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February, 1998

The History of NADE
by Frank Giordano


AT THE NADE NATIONAL CONFERENCE in Louisville, Kentucky, a panel of past NADE Presidents and Directors presented a session on the history of NADE. The panel traced the evolution of the organization from its inception to the present day. Keeping in mind that it is impossible to capture in an article the anecdotes and personal recollections of those who preside over the many changes in the organization over the years, I will attempt to summarize some of the highlights of the presentation.

In 1963, a group of DDS directors meeting in Philadelphia founded the National Association of Disability Examiners (the generic name by which the organization is still known today) as a division of the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA). In the early days, the major direction for the organization came from the DDS Directors, most of whom were part of State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies. The National Rehabilitation Association adequately represented the NADE interests of the early days and organized annual conferences at which NADE was given a small segment of time for conducting organizational business.

As the years went on, the membership of NADE became mostly examiner and other line staff and the direction of the organization became mostly examiner oriented. In fact, the majority of the DDS directors encouraged this change. However, the changing interests of the NADE membership and growing divergent membership base found NADE more and more at odds with its parent organization. The membership eventually concluded that NRA could no longer effectively serve the organization and in Salt Lake City in 1978 the Delegate Assembly adopted a resolution amending the NADE Constitution and By-Laws to delete all references to NRA, thereby rendering the organization in non-compliance with the NRA Constitution and By-Laws and effectively establishing NADE as an independent organization. Despite predictions of NADE’s demise, the organization survived bitter opposition, maintained a sizeable membership base, and organized its first separate annual conference in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1979, devoting a full program of medical and other sessions, as well as conducting its organizational business. Not only did NADE survive, but it grew beyond all expectations not only in numbers but more importantly in status and influence.

Soon NADE became recognized as the effective voice of professionals in the field of disability adjudication, encompassing examiners, administrators, physicians, support staff and others involved in the disability program. Legislative activity took on increasing importance to the point where it is today, sought by legislative committee to present testimony on a wide variety of program issues. SSA officials and legislative representatives meet regularly with the NADE Board and there is ongoing dialogue between these officials and representatives and NADE leaders.

The road to growth and increasing stature was not easy. NADE had to go through organizational problems which created some deep divisions, but overcame them and developed a sound financial structure and administrative accountability. NADE was able to maintain stability and come together to pursue its interests. The annual conference regularly featured interchange between NADE leadership and the DDS Directors working through the National Council of Disability Determination Directors (NCDDD). Joint legislative agenda were developed. Communication, both internal and external, was recognized as a priority. The NADE Advocate, established long before NADE’s withdrawal from NRA, was and still is the primary tool for passing on information to all its members. But NADE kept pace with technology, establishing a web site and making increase use of faxes and E-mail and other means of quick communication. Information to and from the membership was and is a top priority of NADE leaders.

In summary, the panel presented a picture of NADE growth and continuity, of fighting through organizational problems to establish stability and credibility, of assuring the interest of the members were not pushed aside but ably represented by its leaders, of communicating both to the membership and to those who affect our lives and the lives of those we serve, and of awareness of the need to keep up with new and better ways of serving our constituency. The panel presentation left those who attended with a new confidence in an organization proud of its past and looking always to its future. Our past is our strength and the ground work for our tomorrow.