Evelyn Gloria Piloya will be spending her Fellowship at the University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities, also known as the South Dakota UCEDD.

Located in the small town of Sioux Falls, the University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities cultivates a close-knit community approach to serving people with disabilities. The center has extensive expertise in inclusive employment, supporting rural communities, promoting behavioral health, early childhood care and education. It also has a highly respected ASD and FASD clinic that serves young people with autism and their families. The U.S. government officially recognizes the Center for Disabilities as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and it is home to many pioneering practices.

South Dakota is a unique state in the rural heartland of the U.S., and the Fellow will be introduced to many cultural factors that influence disability services within the United States. The South Dakota UCEDD works with several Native American and rural communities and is acutely aware of the importance of cultural understanding when engaging and supporting the needs of individuals with disabilities.

The South Dakota UCEDD is an experienced Professional Fellows Program host, having mentored ADA International Fellow on Inclusive Education from Tanzania Goodluck Chanyika in 2017 and PFP-IDE Fellow Bernadette Muyomi from Kenya in 2018. They are excited to grow their network in East Africa with Evelyn.

Evelyn will be mentored by Pat Herman, Grants Manager at the South Dakota UCEDD. Both Evelyn and Pat have an interest in supporting people with disabilities in rural communities.