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January 2026 I Volume 12 I Edition 1 |
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Application Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026
AUCD and the Center for Leadership in Disability are proud to present the 10th Annual AUCD Leadership Academy. The 2026 AUCD Leadership Academy will take place June 7 to June 12, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. This week long experience, along with pre and post Academy activities, supports current and emerging disability leaders in building skills, strengthening partnerships, and improving systems of support. Participants from UCEDDs, LENDs, IDDRCs, and the broader disability community will come together for learning, reflection, and leadership development. Thinking about applying to AUCD’s Leadership Academy? Watch the Pre-Application Webinar to learn more about the program, application process, and what to expect as a participant.
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Disability Policy Seminar
March 23-24, 2026, Washington, DC
The Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) is the premier opportunity to build support on Capitol Hill and amplify the concerns of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) before Congress. The Seminar is packed with informative sessions led by experts in the field and offers opportunities to learn from others in your state. After a day of learning, attendees come together on Capitol Hill to speak directly to their members of Congress about the high-priority issues that affect people with disabilities and those they rely on. Sign up for the 2026 Disability Policy Seminar Orientation and Policy Education 101 Workshop on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 6:00 - 7:30 PM ET. This workshop will help prepare trainees for the 2026 Disability Policy Seminar, to learn how to educate policymakers in DC and at home, as well as how to connect their experience and expertise to policy. |
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May 3–5, 2026, in Austin, Texas
The National Leadership Innovation Summit is an invitation-only convening designed to provide network leaders and invited partners dedicated time and space to step outside of their individual programs and focus on shared priorities. The Summit will include a combination of "All Attendee" sessions and program-based breakout meetings, including the 2026 UCEDD Directors’ TA Institute and the 2026 Spring UCEDD Directors’ Meeting. The Summit will take place May 3-5, 2026, in Austin, Texas, with sessions beginning the afternoon of Sunday, May 3. Registration information, agenda highlights, and additional details about invited participants will be shared in early February.
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The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC)(TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) is thrilled to share that Pablo Juárez, MEd, BCBA, LBA, co-director of the VKC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and TRIAD, the Autism Institute at the VKC, has been confirmed as president-elect of the AUCD. Juárez’s election to this role reflects his longstanding commitment to innovation in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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After a decade of visionary leadership, Dr. Susan Fox plans to retire as President & CEO of the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) by the end of 2026. She leaves behind a legacy defined by transformation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to equity and excellence. The WIHD Board of Directors has initiated a nationwide search for her replacement and Dr. Fox will retire once a new CEO is in place. |
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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Center on Disability Studies, in the College of Education, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Meghan Miller as the new Director of the Center on Disability Studies (CDS) effective January 2, 2026. Dr. Miller is a licensed clinical psychologist and an internationally recognized expert in studying and understanding the early signs of autism and ADHD. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in neurodevelopmental disabilities research and practice, with a strong background in teaching, training, and mentorship.
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Ashlee Rowles, MHA, joined the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) at University of Iowa Health Care in November 2025 as the new Director of Clinical Services. As part of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, CDD clinicians provide multidisciplinary services to patients with disabilities and their families. CDD is also the home to Iowa’s UCEDD, LEND program, and Hawk-IDDRC. |
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A word long considered harmful to people with intellectual disabilities is being used again in politics, media, and on social media. Disability advocates say its return is alarming after years of work to remove it from everyday language. Research shows use of the word has increased sharply, especially after it was used by high-profile public figures. Advocates warn that when leaders use hurtful language, it signals that disrespect is acceptable. Amy Hewitt, director of the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, said the word’s return reflects a growing “us versus them” mindset, where some people are seen as less valuable to society. She noted this attitude extends to disability, not just race or culture.
People with intellectual disabilities say hearing the word is painful and stigmatizing, even when it is not directed at them. Advocates emphasize that words matter and that respectful language is essential to inclusion and dignity.
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The Early Childhood Education Pre-apprenticeship Program was designed and is being implemented through the partnership between the Center for Community Inclusion and Disabilities Studies (CCIDS), Maine UCEDD, and the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN). The Maine Department of Labor recently approved MRTQ PDN as the sponsor of the Maine Certified ECE Pre-Apprenticeship Program, an initiative that benefits Maine residents by addressing childcare workforce shortages through paid, supported career pathways.
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The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD®) has designated UC Davis Health as a NORD Rare Disease Center of Excellence. The distinction recognizes UC Davis Health’s leadership in providing expert, multidisciplinary care and advancing research for the more than 30 million Americans living with rare diseases. “UC Davis Health is proud to join a network of top academic and medical organizations working to advance knowledge and care for patients with rare diseases,” said Bruce Hall, the interim vice chancellor of human health sciences and chief clinical officer for UC Davis Health. |
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Dr. Lisa Bowman-Perrott is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University, and is an affiliated faculty member with the Center on Disability and Development. She has directed and co-directed federal grant projects funded through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA). Her research across the years has broadly focused on effective academic and behavioral interventions for students at-risk of school failure. Dr. Bowman-Perrott’s research agenda includes examining outcomes for students who are culturally and linguistically diverse (including English learners), The goal of her research is to help researchers and practitioners gain a better understanding of interventions that improve (and factors that contribute to) students’ academic, behavioral, and social success |
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The Center on Disability and Development’s iGROW West Texas students participated in an immersive tour of the pharmacy and radiology departments at Hendrick Health last month. Students explored sterile IV bag production in the pharmacy, learned how radioactive particles are used to detect and treat disease from a nuclear medicine physician, and observed live ultrasound demonstrations showing how sound waves are used to view the body. The experience highlighted healthcare training programs that can be completed in just a few months, with some eligible for tuition reimbursement through the Career Journey Program. Hendrick Health’s support helped inspire students to consider future careers in healthcare. |
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Nearly 200 campers were greeted with festive decor and seasonal activities during MMI's annual winter camp held in December. The main lobby of the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute was quiet. But weave your way through a few hallways, and the space was bustling with pajama-clad campers, as MMI’s Recreational Therapy Department hosted its annual winter camp in December. Nearly 200 campers — ranging in age from 3 to 20 — attended the camp, which offered four all-day sessions. Attendees get the typical day-camp experience while also incorporating life skills such as cooking, said Savannah Bowling, volunteer coordinator at MMI. |
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Healthy Active Lifestyles (HAL) will host another semester of its Healthy Cooking series thanks, in part, to funding from the Moscow Opportunity School Foundation. The Foundation supports community opportunities for people with disabilities in the Latah County area. This marks the second award from the Foundation, which previously helped the Center on Disability and Human Development host a screening of the film Hearts of Glass in North Idaho. This year’s funding will support the Healthy Cooking series, which offers cooking classes for people with disabilities focused on the benefits of healthy eating and the development of practical cooking skills that can be easily used at home. |
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HDI's Bev Harp writes about the sensory challenges autistic people face, like loud noises or bright lights, and how these can make school and work very hard. These challenges are often ignored or not taken seriously. Simple changes, like letting someone work in a quieter space, using filters on lights, or wearing headphones, can make a big difference. Bev highlights HDI’s Innovative Support for Autistic Workers (ISAW) program, which helps employers support and include autistic employees through trainings and resources.
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Tune into the Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty podcast. Mr. Kelty is a CIDD Disability Advocate, who is passionate about disability activism and expanding postsecondary education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. On his Exceeding Expectations podcast, he interviews trailblazers and leaders in the field. In honor of International Day of People with Disabilities, Kelty highlights one of his podcast’s earliest episodes from 2021 with Lia McNeilly and her daughter, Neave, talking about being brought up with a disability in Northern Ireland. Listen to podcast
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Carrie Coffield, PhD, Co-Director of The Boggs Center and Director of NJLEND, co-authored a chapter in Critical Issues in Health for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Contemporary Research, Practice, and Policy, recently published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). The chapter, “Intellectual and Developmental Disability-Competent Healthcare Systems,” summarizes existing literature, identifies priority areas for building IDD-competent healthcare systems, and offers recommendations for addressing gaps in each area. |
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IDRPP's Kirsten Barraclough, shares how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) supports students with disabilities. Accommodations like extra time on tests, bigger print, or therapy can make a big difference. In 2022–23, 7.5 million students received special education services. These supports help students learn, grow, and stay healthy, and keeping them in place is important for future students. |
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LEND Audiology Trainee Networking Event
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 8:00 – 9:00 PM ET
Join us for an interactive session created specifically for LEND Audiology Trainees. This event offers a chance to connect with peers across the AUCD Network, share experiences, and build meaningful professional relationships. The session will also feature Hanna Campiglia, the 2025–2026 Emerging Leaders LEND Audiology Intern, who will share insights from her leadership journey and experiences in the field.
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Three UConn School of Social Work MSW students are serving as 2025-26 Connecticut Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CT LEND) Fellows, gaining interdisciplinary training to enhance health care delivery for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. CT LEND Fellows, Alison Fox, Quinn Meehan, and Grace Hartmann are completing more than 700 hours of coursework, research, advocacy, and community practicum experiences working with infants, children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism, across state and local settings. |
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Amidst federal efforts to dismantle programs helping underserved communities, along with threats to several state protections for people with disabilities, Maren Christenson Hofer (MNLEND 2018-19) is part of a small but growing organization that is helping autistic children and their families to thrive. She is executive director of the Multicultural Autism Action Network (MAAN), a non-profit organization that provides education and training, one-on-one and group support for families who have received an autism diagnosis, and advocacy on issues important to the autism community. Fatima Molas (MNLEND 2016-17, pictured at left) is a co-founder of MAAN. |
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In a recent CACTI Blog post, Sonoran Center trainee Maya Thompson reflects on her Summer 2025 experience with ArtWorks and the HealthMatters program, which provides inclusive and accessible health education for young adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Through adaptable lessons, hands-on activities, and a strong sense of community, the program emphasizes participation, peer support, and meaningful engagement for all learners. Thompson shares how this experience deepened her understanding of accessibility as a foundation for effective education and clarified her interest in pursuing a career in occupational therapy.
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Designing Evaluation with Disability in Mind
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
Insights from people with disabilities are critical to shaping programming and services that genuinely meet the needs of the entire community. Practical lessons learned through the adaptation of an evaluation to be accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be shared. This includes navigating IRB submissions, consulting advisory boards, and staff training considerations. The second presenter will discuss the process of developing and implementing a Research Advisory Board of people with lived experiences of disability to provide thoughtful feedback over the course of the evaluation process. Hosted by Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP). |
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Charting the Course to Employment Success With Family Supports and Cross-System Partnerships
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET
Please join us to hear from self-advocates and activists who will speak about disability issues form their own lived experience. Amplifying Voices of Disability is a dynamic, fully virtual professional learning experience centered on timely, hot-button disability issues presented from the point of view of disability activists and self-advocates. The event is designed to elevate lived experience, challenge assumptions, and provide practical insights that participants can apply in education, healthcare, mental health, technology, and community settings. |
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How to Use Developmentally Informed Strategies During a Hearing Evaluation
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 4:00 – 5:30 PM MT
How to Use Developmentally Informed Strategies During a Hearing Evaluation will share practical strategies to support hearing evaluations for infants and children with developmental disabilities, with a focus on aligning testing to a child’s developmental profile and addressing sensory needs. Designed for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and trainees, this free webinar offers continuing education credit and is sponsored by JFK Partners in partnership with the Colorado Academy of Audiology and the Colorado Department of Education. Accommodations, including captioning and Spanish interpretation, may be requested during registration by Feb. 6, 2026.
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Institute for Human Development Announces Third Annual Amplifying Voices of Disability Virtual Day of Learning
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 9:30 AM - 3:45 PM MT
Please join us to hear from self-advocates and activists who will speak about disability issues form their own lived experience. Amplifying Voices of Disability is a dynamic, fully virtual professional learning experience centered on timely, hot-button disability issues presented from the point of view of disability activists and self-advocates. The event is designed to elevate lived experience, challenge assumptions, and provide practical insights that participants can apply in education, healthcare, mental health, technology, and community settings. |
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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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