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December 2025 I Volume 11 I Edition 12
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AUCD Office News |
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This holiday season, we thank our network for the dedication, partnership, and shared purpose that drive our work forward. Together, we continue building more inclusive and accessible communities for people with disabilities and their families. Wishing you rest, renewal, and hope in the year ahead. |
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The AUCD Network’s strength comes from its shared purpose and collaborative reach across 68 UCEDDs, 60 LEND programs, and 15 IDDRCs, all dedicated to advancing inclusion, equity, and opportunity for people with disabilities. Together, this national and growing global network of educators, researchers, clinicians, advocates, and leaders works to improve quality of life for individuals and families in every community. Over the past year, the network impacted more than 2.4 million people through education, technical assistance, research, and clinical services, and trained over 5,000 professionals across 46 disciplines.
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May 3-6, 2026, Austin, TX
The National Leadership Innovation Summit (NLIS) is an invitation-only meeting designed to give network leaders and invited partners dedicated time and space to step outside of their university programs and focus on shared priorities and emerging challenges. In addition to the Summit sessions, some AUCD program and network meetings will be held during NLIS to promote collaboration and efficient use of time. This is not a traditional conference. NLIS functions as a working retreat, where participants actively engage with one another by testing ideas, examining complex issues, and exploring innovative approaches in a facilitated, small-group setting. Invitations to participate in NLIS will be extended in the coming weeks to selected leaders and partners. Note for UCEDD Directors: NLIS will host the TA Institute as an integrated working component of the Summit. UCEDD Directors will have the option to register only for the TA Institute or to register for the full Summit.
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2025 AUCD Awards
The 2025 AUCD Awards Ceremony celebrated excellence and achievement across the AUCD network. Members gathered to honor awardees across seven categories, recognizing exceptional leadership, service, collaboration, and professional growth. The event also featured a virtual Passing of the Gavel marking the Board of Directors leadership transition and concluded with remarks from the Awards Ceremony Master of Ceremonies. Congratulations to the following AUCD 2025 Awardees who were honored and celebrated during the virtual ceremony held on Thursday, November 13.
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Danny Armstrong — Mailman Center
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Gamel-McCormick — Washington, DC
- George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award
Cate Weir — Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts
- Gold Star Award
Heather Wadyka — United States Senate Committee on Appropriations
- AUCD International Service Award
Mustafa Rfat — Washington University at St. Louis
- Anne Rudigier Award
Rebecca Townsend — Kansas University Center in Disabilities
- Gordon Richins Award for Leadership and Advocacy
Joanne Siegel — Rose F. Kennedy Center
- Young Professional Award
- Toni Saia — San Diego State University
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Full circle moment! Dr. Kristin Fauntleroy-Love, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University and a GaLEND alumna, is stepping into a leadership role as a faculty member in the GaLEND program, helping shape the next generation of leaders in neurodevelopmental disability care. |
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“It seems like an obvious move, but from my understanding, it's not a common practice.” Research has long been performed on and around disability topics, often without asking for perspectives from people with disabilities. Now, an IDRPP advisory board seeks to change that. Research has long been performed on and around disability topics, often without asking for perspectives from people with disabilities. Now, an IDRPP advisory board seeks to change that. |
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In 2023, MI-DDI (Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute) celebrated their 40th Anniversary. To honor this achievement, they launched a 3-part podcast celebrating their past, present, and future. In the latest and last edition of the series, they discuss the future, featuring interviews and insights on the evolving world of disability from current staff members. |
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The UCEDD at Oregon Health & Science University’s Institute on Development and Disability has created a two-part online training to support mental health professionals as they learn to offer quality care for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and co-occurring mental health diagnosis. The trainings feature experiences of people with IDD who have used mental health care services, and of mental health care providers who have worked with people with IDD in therapy. |
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UC Davis researchers are leading a major $5.5 million study to better understand how children with Down syndrome develop expressive communication — the skills used to share what we want, think or feel.
“Most children with Down syndrome have delays in developing expressive communication,” Thurman explained. “We know these delays are common and that children develop at different speeds, but we still don’t know enough about how their communication skills change and grow.”
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The North Central iGROW site is in full swing! The team took our first Corsicana High School cohort on an amazing field trip to Navarro College! Students explored campus life, learned about support programs like Bulldog Life and TRIO and discovered that college is within reach—with plenty of resources to help them succeed. They toured the Student Activities Center, enjoyed lunch in the dining hall and visited programs in healthcare, cosmetology, law enforcement and art. |
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Georgia State University has opened a new sensory room in the University Library, a calming space designed to promote accessibility, mental wellness, and a sense of belonging for all students. The room provides a peaceful environment where students can step away from the bustle of campus life to recharge, refocus, and regulate their sensory experiences. The sensory room was two years in the making, initiated by an article in the GSU Signal newsletter discussing the need for sensory spaces on our urban campus. |
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A new membership organization has officially launched to build community and continue advancing inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) opportunities for students with intellectual disability. The Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Association is committed to the inclusion of people with intellectual disability in postsecondary education.
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In an article for the journal Young Exceptional Children, IDRPP education specialist Ankita Bhattashali outlines ways that educators and families can support children from marginalized backgrounds. "Learning about one family may not give us all the information about the family's background. Like, just because I'm an Indian and you'll meet me as an Indian, you may not have the understanding of what all Indians are like."
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Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) group stresses the importance of well-designed evaluation and research. Not all data is good data or useful data. Sometimes, data that is collected can even mislead or cause harm. The IDRPP’s Tailored Research, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement (TRECI) team is dedicated to evaluation and other research-related services to assist researchers, non-profits, governmental and non-governmental organizations in Utah and beyond.
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Join the CAMP+U Spring 2026 Cohort! CAMP+U, a FREE,10-hour online, asynchronous course aims to increase understanding, knowledge, and skill of course design, instructional delivery and assessment, and effective practices to support students for a successful post secondary experience while fostering a sense of belonging that meets their needs. Our optional synchronous Professional Learning Community (PLC) will support you in deepening understandings of effective practices presented in the PD Intended for faculty, staff, and administrators. |
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Center on Disability and Development’s PATHS Program shared that another successful semester has come to an end. PATHS students gathered to celebrate their accomplishments, with finals finished and holidays ahead with family. They wrapped up the term with meaningful work in the community and delivered outstanding final presentations. |
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ELC Exchange: Your Guide to Conference Success
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM ET
Are you planning to present at conferences? Is it your first time submitting an abstract? Join the next Emerging Leader Community (ELC) Exchange meeting to hear from Blake Warner, a two-time former LEND and current UCEDD trainee, on best practices for finding conferences, writing strong abstracts, and preparing to present with confidence. Plus, join breakout discussions to share ideas and connect with trainees from across the network. |
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ArizonaLEND Self-Advocacy Alum, Claire Adams, Continues to Lead with Impact
Since completing the ArizonaLEND program in 2022, Claire Adams, has continued to champion inclusive practices in her many leadership roles in the community and within her new role as a paraprofessional at a local school district. Recently, she received the National Council on Independent Living’s Diania Viets award, reflecting ArizonaLEND’s mission to develop leaders who continue to make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families. |
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With a passion for special education and mastery of several languages, Kamola Salimova (MN LEND 2024-25) hopes to work with children with complex support needs and their families. |
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The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation: 2026 Public Policy Fellowship
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
The purpose of The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Public Policy Fellowship is to prepare emerging leaders to assume leadership roles in the public policy arena at the state and/or national levels. During this one-year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how federal legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by Congress, as well as how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies. |
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2026 AAPD Fall Internship Program Application
Application Deadline: February 5, 2026
The 2026 AAPD Fall Internship Program Application is now open. The program places students and recent graduates with disabilities in paid internships. Interns build leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and connect with the disability community. The 2026 AAPD Fall Internship Program will be fully virtual. Ten interns will be selected to complete remote internships at placement sites. |
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Make Your Voice Heard Through PCORI’s Advisory Panels
Application Deadline: March 6, 2026
Your unique perspective — shaped by professional expertise, personal experiences or both — can help guide the future of PCORI’s patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. PCORI is seeking experienced voices from all backgrounds for four multidisciplinary advisory panels. |
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The Autism Research Consortium in Behavioral Health (ARC-BH) is pleased to announce the launch of the Autism and Implementation Science Mentorship Program – a new initiative designed to strengthen mentorship, collaboration, networking opportunities, and career development in autism and implementation science research. The program aims to create a tiered mentorship model that connects senior researchers, early career investigators, community partners, and student/trainee members to foster sustained, community-based support and professional growth within the autism and implementation science fields. |
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Texas Transition Conference
February 18-20, 2026, San Marcos, TX
The Texas Transition Conference (TTC) is a three-day event offering valuable information and strategies to support youth with disabilities in their journey from school to successful adult lives. It covers these core content areas: Student-Focused Planning, Interagency Collaboration, Student Development, Family Involvement and Program Structure.
The conference is for a wide range of participants, including educators, transition professionals, service providers, families, individuals with disabilities, employers, policymakers, and community partners. |
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Charting the LifeCourse Showcase 2026
May 5-7, 2026, Kansas City, MO
The UMKC-Institute for Human Development’s LifeCourse Nexus is hosting the 10th Annual Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) Showcase May 5-7, 2026, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. We invite you to Kansas City to celebrate the 10th Annual CtLC Showcase! Together, we will reflect on a decade of growth and impact while continuing to learn how the CtLC framework and principles drive meaningful change in people’s lives |
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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. |
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AUCD | 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
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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. |
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