DRI President Laurie Ahern is the winner of the $100,000 Encore Purpose Prize in recognition of her pioneering work to protect the human rights of children with disabilities detained in institutions. Laurie has been with DRI for over a decade, and has served as DRI's President since 2009.
Each year, Encore.org awards the Purpose Prize to six outstanding individuals who are using their encore years - the time of traditional retirement - to undertake significant social impact projects.
Disability Rights International will be profiled on The Visionaries, the award-winning public television series, hosted by acclaimed actor Sam Waterston, formerly of Law & Order.
June 18, 2014 – Washington, DC – Last weekend, the New York Times shined a light into the dark corners
August 10th, 2013 -- Washington, DC -- The Washington Post on Saturday published an Op-Ed written by Disability Rights International's (DRI) President Laurie Ahern calling for a paradigm shift in how the world acts to protect vulnerable children. Read the Op-Ed here.
Published in The Washington Post
An estimated 8 million to 10 million infants and children live in orphanages around the world, and aid agencies, churches and governments provide hundreds of millions of dollars in the hope that they can help vulnerable children find sanctuary in these institutions. This hope is badly misplaced. Orphanages are not safe places for children.