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October 7, 2026 |
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Announcements |
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Join us in Washington, D.C., November 8–11, 2026, for AUCD 2026! Connect with more than 1,000 members of the disability community through plenaries, concurrent sessions, networking opportunities, Hill Visits, and more. Explore the 2026 Conference Agenda at a Glance and, if you are presenting, visit the Presenter Corner for session information, presentation materials, shipping guidance, and resources to help you prepare for your session. |
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Thursday, October 29, 2026, 5:15 PM ET - 6:30 PM ET
This Webinar will help conference attendees as they prepare for their trip to Washington, D.C for the AUCD 2026 Conference. It will provide a brief overview of AUCD and orient attendees to the content and structure of the conference. Whether you're a newcomer to the field or a seasoned professional, the AUCD Conference provides countless opportunities to share with and learn from colleagues and peers.
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Monday, November 9, 2026, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Join Dr. John Trybus of Georgetown University for the AUCD 2026 Opening Plenary as he shares stories from The Jane Goodall Oral History Project. Explore lessons from Jane Goodall’s leadership and the power of listening, innovation, storytelling, and partnership to turn ideas into collective action and create lasting social change. |
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Funding |
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Administration for Community Living, Field Initiated Projects Program (Development)
Estimated Deadline: December 14, 2026
Estimated Award Ceiling: $250,000
The purpose of the Field Initiated Projects program is to generate new knowledge through research or to develop methods, products, procedures, or technologies -- to maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family/caregiver support, and economic and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, especially people with disabilities who have the greatest support needs. In carrying out a development project under a Field Initiated Projects development grant, a grantee must use knowledge and understanding gained from research to create materials, devices, systems, methods, measures, techniques, tools, prototypes, processes, or intervention protocols that are beneficial to the target population of people with disabilities. |
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Administration for Community Living, Field Initiated Projects Program (Research)
Estimated Deadline: December 14, 2026
Estimated Award Ceiling: $250,000
The purpose of the Field Initiated Projects program is to generate new knowledge through research or to develop methods, products, procedures, or technologies -- to maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family/caregiver support, and economic and self sufficiency of people with disabilities, especially people with disabilities who have the greatest support needs. In carrying out a research project under a Field Initiated Projects research grant, a grantee must identify one or more hypotheses or research questions and, based on the hypotheses or research questions identified, perform an intensive, systematic study directed toward producing (1) new scientific knowledge, or (2) better understanding of the subject, problem studied, or body of knowledge. |
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Administration for Community Living, Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities
Estimated Deadline: April 15, 2027
Estimated Award Ceiling: $975,000
The purpose of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. The purpose of this RERC is to conduct research and development activities toward technologies that promote exercise and health among people with disabilities. NIDILRR plans to make one grant under this announcement. |
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Resources |
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In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the 2026 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute (HDI) is highlighting the progress of Kentucky’s Project NEON. During its first year, Project NEON partners built a strong foundation for implementation by bringing experts and partners together, assessing current systems, and developing tools and strategies to strengthen employment opportunities for Kentuckians with disabilities. In Year Two, the project is moving from planning to putting these strategies into practice, with a focus on piloting tools, developing training and guidance, expanding employment pathways, and strengthening benefits and capacity building.
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Cassidi Jobe shares her journey into disability advocacy and employment, including the importance of Employment First and competitive, integrated employment. The episode also explores the work of Summit Future Foundation and the Kansas City Model Employer Initiative to expand meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Host, Candace Cunningham is a research aide in the Outreach Department at the Institute for Human Development at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Candace works with individuals across the country coordinating the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) Fellowships. She is a person with lived experience from Lee’s Summit, Missouri. |
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This NDEAM Think College is highlighting the many pathways that can lead to meaningful employment for people with intellectual disability. Earning a college credential can be an important step toward building skills, exploring career interests, and preparing for the workforce. The Credential Pathways series explores 11 stories about students from 9 states around the country, including the employment they obtained after earning that credential! When students have access to meaningful opportunities to learn, build skills, and earn credentials, they have more opportunities to shape the careers they want. |
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Weekly news items may be submitted for consideration via the
AUCD Promotion Request Form. Submissions are due on Monday each week. |
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AUCD | 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
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This weekly newsletter is in part supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through a technical assistance contract for the URC and 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 nor should be inferred. |
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