Name: Kim W. Fisher, PhD, FAAIDD

Location: Illinois

Member since: 2005

Employment: Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, Illinois State University 

Why did you join AAIDD?  I first joined AAIDD as a special education teacher to have access to the latest research to use in my practice but never attended any conferences. When I went back to school for my Ph.D., my advisor encouraged me to attend the 2011 conference in Minnesota. I am so grateful she did! The conference was filled with people with varying expertise, including lived experiences, addressing all aspects of life. I loved the idea of learning from people in disciplines outside of education.

Why did you choose the field of intellectual disability?  I had a winding path to working in the field of intellectual disability. I started working at my local park district in high school. When I went to college, I needed a job so I applied at the local park district. The job they had open was in the special recreation department supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to engage in leisure activities in the community and maintain social relationships. We planned a lot of activities from art, sports, music, and traveling to Chicago. I thoroughly enjoyed working with people and wanted to learn more. So, I went back to school to become a special education teacher for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I have never looked back. In fact, much of my collaborative work now focuses on what I loved best when I was young: working to support people to live, learn, work, and play in the community. 

AAIDD leadership positions: I have had several leadership positions in the SECP (Webinar Chair, Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair) and the Technology Interest Network (Secretary and Vice-Chair). In 2013-2014, I assisted with the editor search for AJIDD and, in 2016-2017, as co-chair of the Conference of Professional Interests Review Committee (the committee to redesign from SIGs to interest networks). I currently serve as the Chair of the Technology Interest Network.