SESW Elementary and Special Education Faculty in the Spotlight: Dr. Anthony Rodriguez
Tell us about the fellowship you recently received from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).
AAIDD is the preeminent organization in research, practice, and policy in the world for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The work of the organization has influenced Supreme Court cases, public policy, and we are the holder of the definition used worldwide for what it means to have an Intellectual Disability. We promote the full inclusion of all people and work collaboratively with many other organizations to make this happen. We are truly an interdisciplinary organization of practitioners, administrators, psychologists, social workers, medical doctors, and lawyers among others.
Becoming an AAIDD fellow is an acknowledgment that your work has been validated by the leaders in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. It is a distinguished honor that very few people receive, and I am very honored to be included in an organization with people that I have a great deal of respect for. The mark of distinction does allow me to, if I was chosen as a finalist in the future, to run for President of the Association.
What was your motivation to apply for fellowship status and what was the process like?
At our last conference in Minneapolis (2019), I was asked by a mentor and colleague why I had not applied to be a fellow. She appreciated the work I had done within the organization and thought I would be a good candidate, so last year I turned in my file with the organization and the committee unanimously voted in favor of my candidacy, which was meaningful to hear about. I was, to say the least, pleasantly surprised by the vote. When I started teaching in the 90s, I never thought that I would be included in so much of the work that the organization does. This year I was asked to be on the Advisory Committee for the 12th Edition of the Definition, Diagnosis, Classification, and Systems of Support for those with Intellectual Disability (2021). It was a life-changing event working with these individuals.
To what extent has your fellowship influenced your teaching?
My work with AAIDD has shaped how I seek justice for those who are marginalized by our system at Providence College for sure. I have a better understanding of what equity and access means and I apply that to the courses that I teach.
What is the most challenging aspect you have learned through your fellowship?
I learned that change to the status quo may seem insurmountable and complex when you start, but if it is used as an excuse or used to lower expectations for stakeholders and push off deadlines, nothing meaningful will ever be accomplished. We need to step into the problems we face and offer no excuses for when we fail and for all of us to own our work, successful or not. It is so strange to think that only until recently, electric shock and other abusive, aversive procedures were still allowed in our country. Working on ending these practices was a great realization that all things can change if we go beyond words, slogans, and unhealthy rationalizations of systemic problems. Actions, backed by rigorous research, policy, and daily practice have shown to be effective and we at PC can learn a lot from AAIDD, advocating for the quality of life issues and rights for those with intellectual disabilities since 1876.
