PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Welcome to the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED) website. We are the longest-tenured (we try not to say “oldest”) professional organization of people serving students with disabilities in postsecondary education, having established the organization unofficially in 1974 and incorporated as a non-profit in April, 1975. CAPED is made up of hundreds of staff, faculty and administrators from colleges, universities, agencies and the community who are dedicated to providing equal access for people with disabilities. The breadth of knowledge and experience of our members is amazing, and our main function is to continue educating ourselves so that we may do the best job possible for our students. We also advocate on the state level for funding, policies, regulations and laws that promote equal access and ensure levels of service for our students.
Our annual convention is the centerpiece of our efforts to provide professional development to our members. It takes place each October, moving to different regions of the state each year. Like everything we do it is a member-driven event, and there are dozens of people every year who dedicate much of their time to making sure their colleagues have the chance to exchange information and learn from experts coming from outside our state’s higher education systems. Anyone may attend, and besides college/university disability services professionals we always have additional educators, students, private vendors and others at our convention. If you are looking at our site it will be well worth your time to attend our convention, and once you do I bet you will be hooked.
You will also find that we have many interest groups and committees, gathering and sharing info on serving people with specific disabilities and on issues such as managing programs, legislation, returning military, assistive technology, alternate media, counseling and more. There is something that will interest you, so join us, and welcome.
Scott Hamilton
CAPED President 2008-2010
