News & Views, Volume 10, Number 1, January 1988 Page: 3
6 p. : ill.View a full description of this periodical.
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Dr. Vickers
Has Grown Up
with DDD
How many people do you know,
not counting Dallas Cowboys coach
Tom Landry, can claim to be the
"first and only'' in their position?
Well, you can add Dr. Albert Vickers,
medical consultant for the Disability
Determination Division to your list.
In 1958, when Vickers began, the
social security benefits program was
lean but thorough.
"In those days, every applicant
was staffed, screened and referred,"
says Vickers. However, applicants in
1958 were limited to over 55 years
of age and received only an adjust-
ment to retirement rather than cash
benefits.
By 1965, the Great Society
programs associated with President
Johnson, dramatically changed the
social security benefits program.
Vickers was caught up in a burgeon-
ing number of applicants, of all ages,
for cash benefits and benefits for
dependents and survivors.
By 1974, when Social Security
Insurance began, caseloads doubled
within 18 months.
But, as always, Vickers and his
colleagues in Disability Determina-
tion, made the necessary adjust-
ments. "Now we are big business
with numerous layers of organization
and highly audited, " he reflects.
And he knows the program inside
and out. According to Dale Place,
deputy commissioner for administra-
tive services who served as DDD
head from 1976 to 1985, "He's
probably regarded in social security
disability programs as the most
knowledgeable person from the
historical and programmatic stand-
point in the nation."
This fact is reflected in the exten-
sive consultation work he does.
During the early 1980's under Social
Security Act revisions, beneficiaries
were reviewed and a large percent-
age of benefits ceased. Vickers was
sought by the Social Security
Administration and Congress to help
plan reforms for the program.Texas Disability Rights Advocate Dies
Martha Arbuckle, longtime disability advocate living in the Austin area,
died December 17, 1987 at age 54.
Arbuckle, paralyzed from the neck down due to polio contracted in
her early 20s, was well known in the rehabilitation community.
She was a member of the Texas Governor's Committee for Disabled
Persons, 1981-1987, and served as chairperson of the Austin Mayor's
Committee for Disabled Persons, 1984 to the present. Arbuckle was co-
founder and past president of the Austin chapter of Mobility Impaired
Grappling Hurdles Together (MIGHT) and helped establish the Austin
Area Resource Center for Independent Living.
Constantly attending rallies, legislative hearings and fund raisers,
Arbuckle was honored in Texas and nationally for her work in seeking
rights for people with disabilities.
Her honors include the Distinguished Handicapped American Awardfrom the President's Committee on
and the Texas Handicapped Person"His real concern, " says Place, "is
that applicants and beneficiaries are
consistently treated fairly and
uniformly."
Vickers is philosophical about the
broadening scope of the program
and the large number of people
required to conduct it. "The program,F
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr.
Albert Vickers, chief medical consultant,
moved from Giddings to Austin in 1958
at the request of Dr. David Wade.
Among many other duties, he provides
expert medical guidance on evaluating
and determining the validity of claims for
disability benefits.Employment of the Handicapped
of the Year Award in 1980.is needed, and, as public servants,
we are not here to make ourselves
happy and be self serving."
Says Place, "He truly cares about
the program and about its integrity
with the public and his own fellow
physicians. He's a real top-notch
person.
Transtions
Deborah Shaw-Boatner has joined
the Commission as chief accountant
of the Operating Expense Section in
the Central Office Fiscal Services
Division. She has 10 years
experience in state government and
was most recently self employed
practicing public accounting.
Dr. Carol Whitcraft, assistant
deputy commissioner, retired January
31 after 16 years of TRC service.
Whitcraft's most recent Commission
assignment was with the Governor's
Texas State Management
Development program at the
University of Texas LBJ School of
Public Affairs.
Ilene Gray, program specialist, has
been chosen as the TRC liaison to
the Health and Human Services
Coordinating Committee. In the past,
she has served as staff support for
Jerry Kane, TRC Board chairman and
HHSCC member. Gray's new post
was effective January 1.3
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Texas Rehabilitation Commission. News & Views, Volume 10, Number 1, January 1988, periodical, January 1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1033541/m1/3/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.