Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

November/December, 1995

Walk Down NADE’s Memory Lane
by Liz Burrell, Ohio DDS

In 1963 at the NRA (National Rehabilitation Association) conference in Miami, DDS administrators formed an NRA division called NADE to include all those whose primary mission was adjudication of SS disability claims.

At the NRA conference in Philadelphia in 1964 the NADE constitution and bylaws were approved but NRA did not recognize NADE as a permanent division until October 5, 1966. From the beginning NADE’s mission, as stated in the constitution, was to foster, promote and participate in activities designed to:

“increase the understanding of the disability programs by the medical community and the general public; improve the documentation of applications for disability benefits and the evaluation of medical and vocational information obtained in connection with such applications; provide a forum for the discussion of problems related to adjudication of disability claims; develop professional standards and training opportunities for all individuals engaged in adjudication of disability claims...”

At the NADE delegate assembly of the NRA conference in Hollywood, Florida in 1976, NADE voted to support total Federalization of the disability program. NRA was opposed to this and objected to NADE testimony to the House Ways and Means Sub-Committee on Social Security, saying a division could not speak for the parent organization. NADE membership felt it was time for us to have our own organization, so on September 26, 1978, in Salt Lake City, the NADE delegate assembly adopted, with a larger than anticipated majority, an amended constitution deleting all references to NRA. There was much uneasiness about this move but we collectively joined hands and stepped into our independent future and never looked back.

In 1979 we held our first independent NADE conference in Indianapolis and continue to hold yearly conferences. A NADE friend once told me NADE had taught her how to travel. And travel we have; from Austin, Texas to Rapid City , South Dakota and from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine.

So here we are and now to address the rights and responsibilities of conference attendees. Just like our forefathers recognized when setting up our government, all rights are accompanied by responsibilities. As an attendee you are a delegate from your state chapter and have the right to represent your chapter. You may vote in the Delegate Assembly and may voice your opinions and questions there. You have the right to become involved in the activities of NADE and report on the conference to your local chapter.

Strangely enough, your responsibilities are similar. You have the responsibility to attend the Delegate Assembly and vote. It is your responsibility to take part in the conference to the fullest extent; learn from the training sessions and discussions with your counterparts from other states; report on the conference to your state chapter and become involved in NADE, whether disability adjudication is your career or you are just passing through the DDS. Volunteer to help host a training conference on the state or Regional level. Talk to Charter members of NADE for more history. And mark your calendars for October 20-25, 1996 in Chicago!

Larry DeVantier asked me to present a short history of NADE and to address first time conference attendees.