AUCD 2026 Conference
November 8-11 | Washington, D.C.
November 8-11 | Washington, D.C.
Monday, November 9, 2026
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Concurrent sessions are 75-minute small group discussions or panel presentations.
Game-based Learning (GBL) is a fun and innovative way to teach and practice new skills. Games create immersive learning environments where participants can safely try new things, make mistakes, and learn from their experiences. In this presentation, participants will have the chance to play two newly-created games designed in collaboration with young adults with IDD and to discuss how GBL can be used across settings.
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#Ready2Work is an eight-session workforce readiness intervention implemented at New Beginnings Youth Development Center, a secure 60-bed residential facility in Laurel, MD serving Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services committed youth. This pilot program, designed for incarcerated youth with developmental and related disabilities, utilizes a strengths-based, experiential framework to build skills in communication, professionalism, and job readiness. Preliminary outcomes indicate increased self-advocacy, improved employability skills, and enhanced readiness for community reintegration.
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This session shares a national and international disability access in prison education initiative, including a training manual, pilot site visits, and dissertation research on crip enchantment, embodiment, and moral legibility. Participants will explore practical strategies for accommodations, staff training, cross-system partnerships, and accessible higher education in carceral settings. Relevant to disability studies, education, criminal justice, policy, reentry, Deaf studies, and advocacy.
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How do you learn what people really need? One way is Community Conversations. In this interactive session, presenters from three projects will share how they used Community Conversations to listen to people with disabilities, families, educators, researchers, and community leaders. Participants will learn the basics of the model, experience a mini Community Conversation, and leave with practical ideas for using this approach to guide programs, research, and systems change.
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Purposeful Direct Service explores how Direct Support Professionals and supervisors can integrate documentation, planning, and compliance responsibilities into meaningful daily interactions. Through person-centered staffing, compatibility-based support, and intentional engagement strategies, participants will learn practical approaches that strengthen relationships, reduce administrative burden, improve outcomes, and promote belonging. Relevant for DSPs, Supervisors, Program Managers, Directors, Case Managers, and other IDD service professionals,
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This session examines mental health among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), integrating National Core Indicators-IDD data with systems-change efforts. Presentations explore state variation in mental health identification and treatment, associations among psychotropic medication use, falls, and community participation, and The Link Center's work to improve cross-system coordination and access to person-centered, disability-competent mental health services. Relevant disciplines include mental health, psychotropic medication, and disability research and policy.
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In this workshop, participants will learn from those with lived experience how to leverage their connections to make long-lasting and meaningful change. Leaders will leave with a complete relationship map that identifies areas of strengths and opportunities to grow. Please join us for this informative session as we help you build your network. This workshop is applicable for all disciplines.
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Navigate the Pacific as we weave a collective impact across the islands. Below the equator, American Samoa pioneers a system-designed HCBS through Money-Follows-the-Person in a non-c-waiver community. Northwest, CNMI demonstrates Disability Integration Fund partnership revolutionizes employment and transition. Guam's innovative collaboration charting across three US-affiliated Pacific entities. Join the journey how regional partnerships transform systems and empower the developmental disability community across the Pacific Ocean.
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Most transition models ask whether participants have skills to succeed. This panel offers a different approach: a layered scaffolding model in which providers, participants, employers, and community partners are each supported. Rather than placing the burden of inclusion on participants alone, responsibility is shared across a network. Presenters include a founder, program director, participant, and business partner, offering a framework for transition ecosystems that strengthen employment, independence, and community inclusion.
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Many school-age children don't have access to the assistive technology they need for learning, engagement and productivity. This facilitated discussion will examine barriers to AT access experienced across the country and then discuss approaches, strategies and resources that have succeeded in breaking down barriers. The presenters will share strategies that have been pursued in Delaware, and participants will be encouraged to discuss approaches that have worked in their locales.
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Researchers strive to include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as research partners and participants. Yet gaps in knowledge, skills, and resources challenge our ability to deliver on the promise of knowledge generation practices that are fully inclusive. We will introduce attendees to three tools that support responsible inclusion in research. Then, attendees will collaborate to brainstorm how they will use these tools to enhance inclusion in their research.
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Pediatric psychological assessments are essential for diagnosis and treatment planning, yet families often face barriers before and after an evaluation. This symposium highlights strategies to improve appointment attendance, better understand family-reported barriers, and support implementation through a novel follow-up clinical service model. Relevant to psychologists, clinical directors, supervisors, trainees, and researchers interested in improving family engagement, equitable access, and pediatric assessment practice.
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