DHD Alumni as Leaders in Policy and Practice
DHD’s interdisciplinary approach to studying disability yields dividends for its alumni, who go on to propel their fields forward. These rewards aren’t only for alumni, however. Joe Caldwell (PhD ’05), for instance, credits his time at DHD with helping him understand how “to apply research to make a difference in people’s lives.” He is well-positioned to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families in his current role as the Director of Long-Term Services and Supports Policy at the National Council on Aging (a national non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of older adults). As part of his job, Joe partners with multiple universities to conduct research related to home and community-based services and family caregiver supports, provides his expert perspective on the intersection of disability and aging, and works in coalition with other national aging and disability organizations to advance federal policy on these issues.