Statement on the Bipartisan, Bicameral Reintroduction of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act

AUCD applauds the bipartisan, bicameral reintroduction of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA), which would help end the use of subminimum wages for people with disabilities and expand access to competitive integrated employment. The bill supports states and service providers in shifting to inclusive employment models where people with disabilities work alongside their peers, earn at least minimum wage, and have opportunities for advancement. University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), located in every state and territory, play a key role in making this shift possible through research, training, partnerships, and systems change. AUCD urges Congress to pass this critical legislation and provide the resources needed for a full and equitable transition.

Action Alert: Disability Rights Programs are at Risk

AUCD joins the National Council on Independent Living, National Disability Rights Network, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Amputee Coalition, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils to stand united in calling on Congress to fully fund and preserve the vital federal programs that support independence, freedom, and full participation Use AUCD’s Grassroots Action Tool to Protect UCEDDs. If you haven’t yet, you can take action in both campaigns—every voice matters.

Speak Up for UCEDDs

AUCD has released an advocacy toolkit to help you contact your elected representatives and speak up for UCEDDs. The FY26 Budget Proposal threatens to eliminate UCEDDs as independent programs, putting decades of progress in disability research, training, and services at risk. Use the email scripts and talking points in the toolkit to tell Congress why UCEDDs must remain independent. Your voice matters—take action today!

Liz Weintraub Recipient of the Governor’s Disability Culture and Achievement Award!

Liz is a nationally recognized disability advocate whose leadership has shaped policy and empowered self-advocates across the country. As a longtime member of the AUCD team, Liz served as a Fellow in the Washington, D.C. office of Senator Bob Casey (PA), advancing key disability policy initiatives. She is also an alum of the LEND program at the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University and previously worked with the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). Liz also chaired the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. We are proud to celebrate Liz’s unwavering commitment to disability rights, her powerful voice, and her impact on communities nationwide.

What’s Possible When Communication, Choice, and Community Come Together in Iowa?

Chyna Jenkins, a vibrant and determined young woman, uses assistive technology to express herself and live more independently, thanks to the support of her guardian Mickey King and a dedicated care team. After transitioning to community living with help from Iowa’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, Jenkins now enjoys greater freedom and control over her daily life. Her story, which highlights the power of communication, choice, and community to help create inclusive lives for individuals with disabilities, is featured in the latest issue of the Possibilities in Education and Training newsletter. 

The Power of Teams in Direct Support

Teamwork and healthy work relationships are critical in the direct support field. The new issue of Frontline Initiative, published in partnership with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, focuses on strategies for team building, mentoring, conflict resolution, and sustaining professional relationships. Co-editors are ICI’s Julie Kramme and Chet Tschetter.

Help for the Caring Crisis

Chyna Jenkins, a vibrant and determined young woman, uses assistive technology to express herself and live more independently, thanks to the support of her guardian Mickey King and a dedicated care team. After transitioning to community living with help from Iowa’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, Jenkins now enjoys greater freedom and control over her daily life. Her story, which highlights the power of communication, choice, and community to help create inclusive lives for individuals with disabilities, is featured in the latest issue of the Possibilities in Education and Training newsletter. 

New Training: Understanding Health Gaps in Disability, Aging, and Race

The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is offering a free, self-paced online training designed for healthcare professionals. This course focuses on understanding and addressing the health gaps that exist at the intersection of disability, aging, and race. Participants will learn how to better support aging patients with disabilities, apply inclusive care strategies, and address disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color.

Effect of AAC intervention on communication within social routines from preschool-age emerging symbolic communicators with developmental disabilities

For the first time, the journal of Augmentative and Alternative Communication has brought together multiple AAC communicators to share their experiences and views about research in one issue. Congratulations to AAC Peer Support Project Consortium member Tim Jin, whose article “Embracing change in AAC technology: the keyboard to my success” was published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section of the journal.

Illinois UCEDD and Partners Receive IDD System Redesign Grant Funding

In collaboration with the Arc of Illinois, the Center for Developmental Disability Advocacy and Community Supports, the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, and the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Institute on Disability and Human Development received grant funding from the Coleman Foundation to focus on improving Illinois’ IDD service system.

New AED Equipment Installed at Both IDS Campuses Through Emergency Preparedness Grant

In collaboration with the Arc of Illinois, the Center for Developmental Disability Advocacy and Community Supports, the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, and the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, the Institute on Disability and Human Development received grant funding from the Coleman Foundation to focus on improving Illinois’ IDD service system.

UCEDDs at the Core: Why Continued Funding Fuels Disability Innovation and Inclusion

Since being recruited to the faculty of Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) in 2010, my intervention research program and lab, SENSE Theatre and SENSE Lab, respectively, have significantly benefited from the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). SENSE Theatre is a peer-mediated, theatre-based efficacious treatment for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The CACTI Blog: Taking a Family Science Perspective on Disability Policy Reform

In the latest CACTI Blog, read how Jennifer Haggerty's own family experiences inspired her to conduct a research project collecting insightful information on the differing disability policies across the United States. The CACTI Blog features the voices of our interdisciplinary trainees and Community Advisory Council members as they highlight diverse images of people with disabilities and provide community information and advocacy on disability issues.

Podcast Highlights Disability Policy and Inclusion

The latest episode of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal (DDNJ) Podcast features insights from lead author Megan Best on civic engagement among youth with disabilities. The discussion highlights key findings from the article and explores how inclusive policies and authentic youth voice can drive meaningful change. Listen to the full episode and read the article on the IDRPP blog.

Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services: Family Stories of Impact

Families across New Hampshire depend on Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) to support loved ones with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities. These personal stories show how HCBS empowers individuals to live with dignity, participate in their communities, and build meaningful, connected lives.

ArizonaLEND Self-Advocacy Trainee, Selene Amador, Spotlights Innovative Employment Approach for People with Disabilities

ArizonaLEND Self-Advocacy trainee (2024-2025), Selene Amador, presented her research poster titled “Evaluation of Customized Employment Pilot” at ArizonaLEND’s annual research symposium earlier this year. The Customized Employment Pilot is an initiative in Arizona led by the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, in partnership with other organizations in the state, to improve job opportunities for individuals with significant disabilities. They utilize an approach called customized employment, where job roles are tailored to the individual’s skills and interests.

AUCD FASD SIG & FASD United:
Trainee Mini Conference

September 16-17, 2025, Washington, DC

Join fellow LEND, DBP, UCEDD, and IDDRC trainees for the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Special Interest Group Trainee Mini-Conference Trainee Mini-Conference. This special event offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and lead alongside peers and professionals in the disability field. Hosted during FASD United’s National Impact Week, trainees can also attend related events including the Red Shoes Gala and policy-focused sessions.

2025 Mountain State Conference on Disabilities (MSCD)

September 18-19, 2025, Morgantown, WV

The Mountain State Conference on Disabilities is hosted by disability partners across the state including the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities, the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council and Disability Rights of WV. This conference will explore strategies and services that support people with disabilities of all ages and their families by focusing on ways to improve care, communication and self-determination through best practices. It will also highlight the lived experiences of people with disabilities, their caregivers and families.

26th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care

October 23–24, 2025, Virtual & In-Person 

Baylor College of Medicine’s Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care brings together healthcare professionals, youth and young adults with chronic conditions, and family members to strengthen transition practices. Held in-person and virtually, the conference features interdisciplinary sessions on building effective care models, addressing systemic barriers, and supporting successful transitions to adult healthcare.

Tapping Into Talent: Innovation and Opportunity, a National Conference Presented by Neurodiversity at Work at Kennedy Krieger Institute

October 23-24, 2025, Baltimore, MD

This conference is a catalyst for collaboration, innovative ideas, and actionable strategies that drive workplace success. Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions, gain insights from industry leaders, and connect with a network of changemakers. Together, we’ll explore new ways to harness untapped talent and shape the future of work.

Texas Transition Conference

February 18-20, 2026, San Marcos, TX

The Texas Transition Conference (TTC) is a three-day event focused on supporting youth with disabilities as they move from school into successful adult lives. The conference offers valuable information, resources, and strategies across five key areas: student-focused planning, interagency collaboration, student development, family involvement, and program structure. TTC brings together a diverse group of participants, including educators, transition professionals, service providers, families, individuals with disabilities, employers, policymakers, and community partners.