Committees

About Our Committees

For more information about joining committees, reach out to our president Jennifer Ward at jlward@svsu.edu.

Committee	Description
Membership Committee	In coordination with the Vice President and President Elect, the Membership Committee works with the Webmaster and Communication Officer to coordinate membership activities. The Membership Officer reaches out to current, lapsed, and new DISES members about getting involved.
Sip & Chat Committee	DISES Sip & Chats are organized for current and prospective members to join in fellowship. Although there is a theme for many of the Sip & Chat events, these are free, informal events to learn more about DISES and the global community.
Virtual Event Committee	DISES Virtual Events are a special opportunity for our members and international guests to learn about and share effective inclusive practices from around the world. These interactive events include a panel of experts from different regions, links to resources, and time to engage with those who attend in discussion. After the event, an Information Brief that summarizes the event and provides the links to resources and the video is created.
Professional Learning Committee	DISES Professional Learning Committee creates professional development resources to increase culturally responsive and sustaining inclusive practices, knowledge, and skills. This group is currently working on building out learning modules that can be adapted for different contexts around the world.
Family Engagement Committee	The DISES Family Engagement Committee engages with families and caregivers of youth with disabilities to support professional learning, create opportunities for networking, and shares resources from across the globe.
Student Engagement Committee	The DISES Student Engagement Committee aims to get current undergraduate and graduate students involved in the global inclusive education community. The committee organizes writing events, virtual watch parties on different topics, and mentorship opportunities.
Awards Committee	The DISES Awards Committee works together to gather nominations and select winners of the DISES awards categories: Dr. Deborah Ziegler Distinguished International Leadership Award, DISES Distinguished Student Research Award, DISES Distinguished Student Leadership/Service Award, and the DISES Distinguished International Teacher Award.
Election Committee	Each year the election committee identifies the positions that are up for election. They update the nomination form, work with the executive director in messaging the announcement, and organize the vote.
The International Outreach Committee	The International Outreach Committee is dedicated to strengthening global collaboration and advancing the organization’s mission. It builds networks among professionals, researchers, and advocates, supports knowledge-sharing initiatives and joint projects, and promotes advocacy and human rights for children and youth with disabilities worldwide. The committee also fosters opportunities for international dialogue, mentorship, and professional growth.

Last Updated: 30 September, 2025