Call for Nominations: AUCD 2024 Awards

Nominations are due by Friday, August 2, 2024 
AUCD invites you to nominate someone who inspires you in the spirit of this year’s theme, Stronger Together: Creating a More Inclusive World. Please note that AUCD has made some changes to the awards nomination process this year. Learn more about the changes and requirements and submit a nomination today. The AUCD Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, November 4 at 6:00 PM during the AUCD 2024 Conference. Subscribe to Conference updates to receive the latest information. 

Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Pride Month and the Americans with Disabilities Act

In this episode of "Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All," Liz speaks with former United States House Representative Tony Coelho. Their insightful conversation celebrates Disability Pride Month and the 34th anniversary of the passing of the ADA by recalling the process Representative Coelho was involved in helping pass the law. Liz and Representative Coelho also discuss progress that has been made since passing the ADA and what we still need to work on as a community. 

Your Vote Matters

Voting is one of the most important rights of a U.S. citizen. It allows people to choose leaders they feel will best represent their needs on the local, state, and federal levels. You can make real change by being an educated voter in your community. The AUCD 2024 Conference falls on Election Day—Tuesday, November 5, 2024. We want to make sure everyone can lift their voice for local and state issues. Plan to vote early or be sure to submit your request for an absentee ballot by the date that your state specifies as the deadline.  

UCEDD Success Stories: The Center for Leadership in Disability Presents 8th Annual AUCD Leadership Academy Cohort

The Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) out of Georgia State University, with support from the The Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD), presents the 8th Annual AUCD Leadership Academy cohort! The AUCD Leadership Academy is a week-long intensive experience, paired with a year of pre- and post- interactions designed to enhance the skills of current and emerging leaders from disability networks to build coalitions to improve systems of supports and services.

David Johnson: Unwavering Commitment

With sadness, colleagues at the University of Minnesota are mourning the passing of David R. Johnson on July 4. Johnson, who led the University’s Institute on Community Integration from 1997 to 2018, devoted his career to improving the educational system that serves students with disabilities.

Along with University of Minnesota President Emeritus Robert Bruininks and Charlie Lakin, former director of the Research and Training Center on Community Living, Johnson helped develop the foundational roots of ICI in the 1980s as a center of excellence dedicated to moving people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) out of institutions and into full lives in their communities of choice.

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal Reaches Open Access Milestone

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal is celebrating its inclusion in the Directory of Open Access Journals, a globally recognized service that maintains a list of peer-reviewed open access journals. This achievement will not only enhance DDNJ’s reputation and credibility, but also broaden its reach and impact with readers and authors around the world.

Missouri UCEDD Develops Curriculum and Completes Pilot Supporting Caregivers with Developmental Disabilities

University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development (UMKC-IHD), Missouri’s University Center of Excellence for Developmental Disabilities has developed and completed a pilot program called WE❤CARE: A Curriculum for Caregivers with Developmental Disabilities, to help those with disabilities provide caregiving support for an aging loved one.

Connecting Families: Waisman Network Helps Families with Special Needs through Peer Support

Caring for someone with a disability is not a singular experience. It differs widely across families with different disabilities experiencing their own joys and challenges. Creating spaces where families of individuals with disabilities can come together and share their experiences can be an important comfort and support while navigating life.

University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development Program Project SALT Replicated at the Nebraska UCEDD

The Self-Advocate Leadership Training program (SALT) aims to teach a leadership skills curriculum to individuals with disabilities so that they can learn strategies to advocate for themselves and others and to effect larger systems-level change. SALT produces an ever-growing cadre of individuals with the capacity for self-determination and independence and the ability to participate in their communities in meaningful ways.

Take 5 Video about Ohio Parent to Parent (P2P) Program

The Ohio Parent to Parent (P2P) program's mission is to connect parents, siblings, people with lived experience, foster parents, and grandparents who have a family member living with a disability and/or special health care need with experienced parent mentors for a wide range of conversations that will be helpful for their best parenting/caregiving.

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Offers Summer Webinar Series Addressing Follow-up Care for NICU ‘Graduates’

The Tennessee Network for Surveillance of At-Risk Infants and NICU Graduates (TN-SOARING), with the assistance of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND), is hosting a four-session virtual Summer Speaker Series focused on developmental follow-up care for infants and toddlers with complex neonatal histories, including those cared for in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

iGROW Begins Summer Work Experiences

These jobs are selected based on the person centered planning interviews held throughout the school year. Students are working in areas such as: culinary, farming and healthcare. They are working alongside employers learning skills to prepare them for future careers. We are thankful for all of our employers for welcoming our students into their businesses and providing this opportunity!

Planning Ahead: The Wisconsin Integrated Transition Planning Project Facilitates Access to Resources for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to Plan for Adulthood

 The Wisconsin Integrated Transition Planning Project (WITPP) from the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at the Waisman Center aims to improve transition planning for Wisconsin youth with IDD in an integrative manner by bringing together self-advocates, family members, and professionals who support them.

PATHS Certificate Program at TAMU Welcomes New Students

Summer 2024 at the PATHS Program has been marked by the arrival of our 2024-2026 (Kyle) Cohort. During this time, students have been actively developing independent living skills while enjoying activities such as cooking and exploring Texas A&M traditions and culture. We extend our gratitude to Officer Hickman and Officer Deleon for their informative sessions on safety and self-defense.

AUCD Emerging Leaders Map Coming Soon!

The AUCD Emerging Leaders Map highlights diverse trainee contributions across the AUCD Network. The map aims to showcase the diverse efforts of emerging leaders in improving access for people with disabilities, fostering dialogue, and promoting collaboration between centers. Explore state pins to learn about programs, centers, and trainee activities. Use the map to stay informed, generate ideas, and connect for future opportunities!

How to Navigate Providing and Discussing an Autism Diagnosis - Resource

This training is designed to support providers in discussing autism characteristics with families - whether they are delivering formal diagnoses themselves, or navigating conversations around autism-related characteristics and common questions.This resource was created by staff, former and current trainees from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center/TRIAD.

MN LEND Fellows on TV News

This television news story from WCCO/CBS News Minnesota shows a Minnesota couple living with disabilities who built an accessible orphanage and clinic in Liberia. They are former fellows of ICI’s MN LEND program.

ADA Anniversary #ADA34 - Celebrate. Learn. Share.

How are you planning to celebrate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 34th Anniversary? 34 years ago on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This July 26th the ADA National Network and individuals, communities, and organizations across the country will be participating. Learn how you can be involved by visiting adaanniversary.org. This historic civil rights law protects the rights of people with disabilities. On a social media platform of your choice, use the hashtag #ThanksToTheADA to share what the ADA means to you.

Disability Rights Organizations Across the Nation Commit to “Stop Special"

During Disability Pride Month, disability organizations join advocates in launching Stop Special, calling for an end to the word “special” to describe people with disabilities. The campaign is grounded in feedback received from people with disabilities. The campaign is grounded in feedback received from people with disabilities and reflects their opinions and preferences. Although still used in law and public policies, the term “special” is increasingly considered condescending and offensive to disabled people and their allies.

Disability Voting Rights Week

September 9 - 13, 2024
Disability Voting Rights Week (DVRW) is a nonpartisan movement hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities and REV UP. DVRW is about advocacy, celebrating community, and building power. The disability community makes up an important voting block. Disabled voters are a part of every community. Yet, systemic barriers prevent many people with disabilities from accessing their right to vote. Grassroots disabled activists created DVRW. DVRW is a cross-disability, cross-movement week of action.

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

October 27-29, 2024

Join the collaborative conference that brings together a community that is committed to improving employment outcomes for the neurodiverse workforce. Through collective impact, we will engage in dynamic discussions, learn from expert presenters, and build a network of change-makers who promote diverse and inclusive employment practices. This conference empowers employers to build a dynamic workforce and enhance the workplace. 

AUCD 2024 Conference

November 3-6, 2024

The AUCD Conference brings together more than 1,100 researchers, policymakers, practitioners, professionals, advocates, community leaders, and students. This annual event is designed to promote innovative thinking that will launch disability policy, research, and advocacy initiatives to the next level. With a theme of Stronger Together: Creating a More Inclusive World, this year's Conference focuses on the core of the AUCD Network, recognizing that collaboration is critical to advance the rights and opportunities for and with people with disabilities through research, training, education, and service.