Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

March/April, 1998

Correspondence

nade
8564 Cullen Avenue
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809

December 18, 1997

Susan M. Daniels, Ph.D. Associate Commissioner for Disability 500 Altmeyer Building 6400 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21235

Dear Susan:

As you know, the National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE), since its inception in 1963, has been providing training opportunities for individuals involved in the disability program. Although the primary focus has been staff in the Disability Determination Services (DDS), the training has been open to all. NADE would like to go on record as supporting your concept of the Disability Adjudication Training System (DATS) to provide for a nationally consistent approach for pre-employment, in-service and continuing education for those responsible for decision-making at all levels of adjudication.

There is an ongoing need for training to prepare an individual for the role of a disability adjudicator, whether as a disability examiner, a medical consultant, or an administrative law judge. In addition, ongoing training is essential to maintain the highly skilled work force needed for making timely, accurate determinations. By providing a comprehensive plan for addressing the training needs of all who are involved in the adjudication of Social Security disability claims, the Social Security Administration will be taking another major step in promoting process unification.

NADE’s representatives on the DATS work group look forward to the second meeting of the work group in January. The report from the October meeting shows that considerable progress has already been made towards making your idea into a reality.

Best wishes for the holiday and for 1998.

Sincerely,

Debi Gardiner President