This award honors the memory of long-time CCC-DPHMD member and past president, Pamela (Pam) K. De Loach.  As a young woman with cerebral palsy before the passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now IDEA), Pam had to fight to get a quality education.  In the 1970s, Pam had to fight to be accepted into a college teacher preparation program so she could become a special educator. She spent over 30 years as a teacher of students with severe and multiple disabilities and constantly advocated for her students to receive quality educational services. While teaching, she continuously had to advocate for herself in order to get reasonable accommodations to which she was entitled under federal civil rights laws.  In 2007, when (then) DPHD experienced a crisis resulting in attrition of leadership, Pam stepped up and served as president and treasurer for two years.  She is largely responsible for CCC-DPHMD remaining a viable division as she fought to rebuild the leadership and finances of the Division.  Pam served three years on the Council for Exceptional Children’s Board of Directors during which time she fought for small divisions, including CCC-DPHMD.  In 2011, Pam underwent a double lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis, again having to fight for herself as a candidate with a disability.  After her surgery, she became an advocate for organ donation.  On December 7, 2017, Pam passed away, leaving her mark on her family, friends, colleagues, and students as well as the field of special education, particularly CCC-DPHMD.
The Pamela K. De Loach Advocacy Award honors individuals or groups who demonstrate strong advocacy on behalf of themselves or others who have physical, health, or multiple disabilities.  Up to two recipients (individual or group) are awarded annually.  Recipients of the award do not have to be CCC-DPHMD members, but the person nominating the individual or group needs to be a member. To nominate yourself, another person, or a group for this award, submit the following to the Awards Committee Chair or current CCC-DPHMD president:
A brief biographical sketch of the nominee;
a descriptive narrative of advocacy efforts including how advocacy affected persons with physical, health, or multiple disabilities;
a statement of the relationship between the nominator and nominee; and
if the nominee is an individual who works with people with complex and chronic conditions including physical, health, or multiple disabilities, a résumé or curriculum vita.
Recipients will be recognized at the annual Council for Exceptional Children Convention.
In February, 2018, the first award was presented in honor of Pam to her family.  Click here for information about presentation of the award.
Congratulations to the first awardee of the Pamela K. De Loach Advocacy Award, Amanda C. Korb. Click here for information about Amanda's advocacy accomplishments!