 |
|
May 2026 I Volume 12 I Edition 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The AUCD Conference Planning Committee invites Network members, people with disabilities, partners, and friends to submit proposals for a Concurrent Session, Poster, or both! These session formats offer flexible ways to share and learn. This is a chance to highlight your work and connect with other leaders in the disability field. AUCD is seeking about 80 Network members to serve as reviewers for proposals for the AUCD 2026 Conference. Your time and expertise will help ensure the conference features high-quality, relevant content to attendees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is with very heavy hearts that we share the passing of former NDCPD Executive Director Brent Askvig earlier this month after his battle with cancer. Brent was a passionate advocate for people with disabilities whose leadership, mentorship, and dedication to inclusion touched countless lives across North Dakota and beyond. Throughout his career with NDCPD, he worked tirelessly to advance opportunities, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure that the voices of people with disabilities remained at the center of the work. He was widely respected for his kindness, generosity, and commitment to supporting colleagues, students, families, and communities. Brent’s impact will continue to be felt through the many people he mentored and the lasting contributions he made to the disability community. |
|
|
|
|
|
Across Ohio State, 13 exceptional staff members are transforming the university’s mission into daily action through their commitment to innovation and collaboration. As the 2026 Distinguished Staff Award recipients, these individuals represent the pinnacle of excellence in everything that they do. Jillian Ober believes that everyone has a story to tell – and the right to read it. For over two decades at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, she has been the heartbeat of the Next Chapter Book Club, a program that ensures intellectual disability is never a barrier to the joy of literature. |
|
|
|
Dr. Dalun Zhang, Director for the Center on Disability and Development, has been named an AAIDD Sesqui Research Awardee for 2026. Dr. Zhang is Professor of Special Education, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs. His research interest is centered on assisting youth with disabilities to make a successful transition from high school to adulthood. Over the course of his career, Dr. Zhang has been able to secure over $36 million in external funding for research, teaching, and demonstration projects. |
|
|
|
The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities is proud to recognize the leadership and community engagement of two Project HEAL staff attorneys. David Mervis was selected to serve on the Board of Directors of The Arc Baltimore, where his term will begin in July 2026. Logan Ewing has served on the development committee of Make Studio since April 2026, supporting the organization’s mission to provide inclusive arts programming for adults with disabilities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over the past 18 months, the Partnership for People with Disabilities’ Center for Family Involvement has worked to strengthen relationships and trust with the Chickahominy Tribe through community-informed partnership and shared learning opportunities. Building on a connection with a self-advocate member of the Tribe, initially established by a former director of Midwest and Southwest UCEDDs, Virginia’s UCEDD developed a contractual partnership with this tribal member to support the Center for Family Involvement’s efforts to build bridges with indigenous communities. |
|
|
|
|
IOD researchers are drawing national attention to barriers rural residents and underserved communities face when accessing Social Security disability benefits and information. Debra Brucker’s paper, The Administrative Burden Experienced by U.S. Rural Residents Accessing Social Security Administration Benefit Programs in 2024, coauthored by Stacia Kingsbury, Megan Henly, Andrew Houtenville, and Kelly Nye-Lengerman, was recently featured by Public News Service and MSN following a radio interview with Public News Services. The research highlights the challenges rural residents encounter when trying to access Social Security benefits and service
|
|
|
|
In collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno, the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) project within the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities and NV PAL have launched a new school-based pilot program that provides clinical consultation to Tier 3 multidisciplinary teams supporting students with complex cases. The program offers expert clinical consultation, guidance for complex student cases, support for school-based decision-making, and connections to additional resources, and is currently available in Lyon, Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, and Pershing counties. |
|
|
|
Did you know that nearly 1 in 4 adults in the United States has a disability, yet people with disabilities continue to be far less likely to be employed than those without disabilities. Research consistently shows that many people with disabilities want to work and contribute their skills and talents, but are often an under-utilized part of the talent pipeline. To better support businesses and strengthen workforce participation, the Training Innovation Project (TIP) at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute is inviting businesses to complete a brief anonymous survey about disability and employment. This input will help us better understand what information, resources, and training are most wanted and needed.
|
|
|
|
The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC)(TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) has launched its new Navigating Adult Services webpages, an online resource designed to help Tennesseans with disabilities, their families, and professionals better understand and access the broad landscape of adult disability services across the state.
|
|
|
|
The UNH Institute on Disability is excited to share a recent collaboration focused on making voting more accessible for everyone in our community. The Institute on Disability partnered with Angela Fletcher and the New Hampshire Leadership Series voting education team, Disability Rights Center New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities to develop a new set of icon-based voting request tools. |
|
|
|
Louisiana's UCEDD at the LSUHSC Human Development Center is launching the PAYCheck Transition Leadership Lab, a new professional development series designed to support school districts in creating inclusive postsecondary education opportunities for students with disabilities. This virtual learning collaborative equips teams with the tools, strategies, and systems-thinking approaches needed to develop sustainable, inclusive programs that lead to competitive integrated employment and meaningful community participation. While based in Louisiana, the Transition Leadership Lab is open to participants nationwide, fostering cross-state learning and collaboration. |
|
|
|
This month, we’re excited to highlight Aggie ACHIEVE student Gabby Salinas, who has been making a meaningful impact during her internship at the Aggieland Humane Society. During her time at the shelter, Gabby has taken on a wide range of responsibilities that keep daily operations running smoothly. From feeding and watering cats to cleaning litter boxes, washing dishes, and doing laundry, her work directly supports the health and comfort of the animals. She has even taken on more advanced tasks like drawing vaccinations for new intakes, assisting with workflow processes, taking adoption photos, and naming newly arrived pets—adding a personal touch to each animal’s journey
|
|
|
|
Brendan Gosdon’s journey to the PATHS Certificate Program began during his senior year of high school after learning about the program from a friend’s family. During his time at PATHS, he developed professional, communication, and workplace skills through coursework, practicums, and volunteer experiences. Brendan has been actively involved in Breakaway at Texas A&M, volunteered with Special Olympics and Purposeful Life, and completed an internship with the nationally ranked Texas A&M women’s tennis team, where he gained valuable experience in collegiate athletics and teamwork. After graduating from PATHS, Brendan plans to return to Boerne to work as a paraprofessional in Boerne ISD. |
|
|
|
Howard Zlamal, ArizonaLEND Special Education and Self-Advocacy Faculty, led a self-defense session held by AfroConnect with the University of Arizona. . Mr. Zlamal’s approachable instruction and live demonstrations made the material accessible to participants of all fitness levels, and several attendees remarked that the session left them feeling more confident about personal safety. Organizers noted that the practical, hands-on format encouraged peer interaction and immediate skill practice.
|
|
|
|
In partnership with the Institute for Community Inclusion and ANCOR, the IOD is preparing to launch the next Community Life Engagement Community of Practice (CLE in Action CoP) cohort this fall. The CLE in Action CoP is a virtual group where service provider organizations come together to share ideas and resources about helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) meaningfully participate in their communities. The program is looking for service provider organizations that support people with IDD, have a demonstrated commitment to CLE's vision at multiple levels within their organization, and are ready to actively engage with the group over the coming year. Applications are due July 10, 2026. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sonoran Center trainee Dora Le, 2025–2026 Diversity Fellow, recently shared her experiences in a CACTI Blog feature highlighting the barriers refugee families with disabilities face when accessing healthcare and support services. Motivated by her own family’s challenges navigating the healthcare system as Vietnamese refugees, Dora partnered with Encircle Families and the International Rescue Committee in Tucson to better understand gaps in disability and refugee support systems. Through collaboration with families, caseworkers, and service providers, the project identified challenges related to eligibility, applications, and language access while also strengthening cross-agency partnerships through staff training sessions. |
|
|
|
Fanny Fernandez uses her skills as a facilitator of healing and drumming circles, an ancestral healing practitioner, and her MN LEND background to help families seeking support and resources. She received an “L’Etoile du Nord Honoree” recognition during the Minnesota United Football Club’s mental health awareness game on May 13.
|
|
|
|
As a graduating senior at the University of Washington, Brian Nguyen has explored interests in healthcare, education, and pediatric care. A double major in biochemistry and educational studies, he sought clinical exposure in developmental and interdisciplinary care and discovered the UW Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Undergraduate Pathways (LEND UP) program. He first learned about LEND UP through Delta Epsilon Mu, UW’s pre-health fraternity, and later joined its second cohort, gaining his first meaningful exposure to developmental and interdisciplinary care.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nisonger Institute 2026
Friday, June 5, 2026, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET
The Nisonger Institute is a continuing education event focused on translating developmental disability/autism research and policy into real‑world practice. The Webinar and Panel discussion are designed to be accessible, relevant, and applicable across healthcare, education, and community settings. |
|
|
|
2026 Transition Conference
June 16-17, 2026, Virtual
Creating Pathways to Community Connections and Employment for Students with Complex Support Needs. Join TransCen’s Second Annual Virtual Transition Conference: Creating Pathways to Community Connections and Employment for Students with Complex Support Needs, a dynamic, solutions-focused event highlighting what’s possible when we raise expectations and focus on strengths. |
|
|
|
2026 Institute for Human Development Evidence for Success Disability Conference
June 23-24, 2026, Chandler, AZ
The 27th Annual Evidence for Success Disability Conference, hosted by the Institute for Human Development at Northern Arizona University, will take place June 23–24, 2026, at Wild Horse Pass Resort. One of Arizona’s leading disability-focused events, the conference will feature 60+ educational sessions, 40+ exhibitors, and the latest in assistive technology, advocacy, and disability services.
|
|
|
|
58th Annual Gatlinburg Conference
October 6-9,2026, Minneapolis, MN
The Gatlinburg Conference on Research and Theory in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is one of the premier conferences for behavioral scientists conducting research on intellectual and developmental disabilities. It has a rich history that started in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in 1967, and the name of its original location remained. Each year, Gatlinburg Conference brings together scientists from around the world to gather to discuss research and collaborations in the field. |
|
|
|
AUCD 2026 Annual Conference
November 8-12, 2026, Washington, DC
This year’s AUCD Conference is all about sharing new ideas, learning from one another, and working together to make a REAL difference in our communities. The focus is on innovation and building strong partnerships to improve services, research, and support for people with disabilities, their families, and the community. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items may be submitted for consideration via the AUCD Public Promotion Page. Submissions are due on the second Friday of the month. AUCD 360 is promoted on the last Friday of the month.
|
|
|
|
|
AUCD | 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This newsletter is in part supported by the Administration on Community Living (ACL) through a technical assistance contract for the URC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a National Professional Organization for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of any federal agency. No official support or endorsement by federal agencies is intended not to be inferred. |
|
|
| View Online |
|
|
|
|
