Ann M. Williams
Program Specialist

Photo of Ann M. WilliamsAnn Williams is a Program Specialist with SEDL's Disability Research to Practice (DRP) program. Her current work focuses on effective vocational rehabilitation programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Contact Information
You may contact Ann M. Williams at 512-391-6519

or by using SEDL's contact form.

Areas of Expertise
Ms. Williams' expertise includes the areas of advocacy and training and technical assistance.
  • Advocacy: Ms. Williams has worked with community service providers as an advocate for many populations, including people with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities. This expertise is useful in translating research to “on the ground” community workers.
  • Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA): Ms. Williams has carried out many T/TA activities in a variety of areas, including safe technologies for survivors of domestic violence, rights of people with limited English proficiency, healthy relationships, and self-care for caseworkers.

Experience
Prior to joining SEDL in April 2011, Ms. Williams was a policy analyst at the Texas Council on Family Violence, where she focused on providing technical assistance on best practices and researched trends for constituents. Previously, she worked as a caseworker and advocate for different populations, including people with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, student survivors of dating violence, girls’ empowerment, and homeless youth.

Education
Ms. Williams holds a BSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also completed a research-pathway master’s degree in gender studies from University College London. Her coursework focused on reproductive policy with a Foulcaudian framework of power dynamics.

Selected External Publications
  • Westbrook, J. D., Nye, C., Wendt, O., Fong, C. J., Williams, A., & Cortopassi, T. (2012). Pre-graduation school-to-work transition programs for persons with autism spectrum disorders: Effects on employment outcomes. Campbell Collaboration Protocol.
  • Williams, A. M. (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). Texas women killed list. Unpublished manuscript.
  • Williams, A. M. (2008, 2010). Salary survey: Analysis of compensation and benefits. Unpublished manuscript.
  • Williams, A. M. (2009). Domestic violence and returning veterans: Trends analysis. Unpublished manuscript.
  • Williams, A. M. (2009). The effects of the economic downturn on family violence programs: Trends analysis. Unpublished manuscript.
Selected Presentations
  • Williams, A. M. (2010, August). Federal and state laws on legal access to survivors with limited English proficiency. Legal Advocates Network, Austin, TX.
  • Williams, A. M. (2010, March). Trekking through high school in the technology age. Girls’ Empowerment Network, Austin, TX.
  • Williams, A. M. (2009, July). Technology and victim safety. Texas Department of Criminal Justice Annual Statewide Conference, Austin, TX.
  • Williams, A. M. (2009, April; 2008, April). Survivor safety and technology for family violence staff. New Workers’ Institute, Texas Council on Family Violence, Austin, TX.
  • Williams, A. M. (2008, May). Protective orders in Texas. State Bar, Austin, TX.