Speech-Language pathologists Jeremy Legaspi (ArizonaLEND Alum 2021-2022) and Wylanta Jones recently created Camp Connect, a camp designed for young people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices. More
October 21, 2024
AUCD’s Community Inclusion Team supports the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Network in partnership with the Administration for Community Living.
AUCD’s Maternal and Child Health Engagement supports the Autism CARES Programs, including LEND and DBP Programs.
AUCD’s Public Health Team works to create health promotion and public health efforts that include people with disabilities.
AUCD Emerging Leaders are a part of a community that includes trainees, early career professionals, self-advocates, and family members from AUCD member Centers and Programs.
The Council on Leadership in Advocacy (COLA) is made up of individuals with disabilities and family members from each University Center across the AUCD Network. COLA members are involved in Community Advisory Councils at University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), AUCD Councils and Committees, AUCD Special Interest Groups, and other advocacy opportunities. Membership is open to anyone in the AUCD Network. However, each Center will designate an individual representative who will cast one vote when a matter before the Council requires such action.
The mission of the AUCD Council on Leadership in Advocacy (COLA) is to advise and assist the AUCD Network to enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. COLA works to enhance AUCD by fostering and supporting current and new leaders with lived experience of disability, including their family members in order to promote this same leadership in their programs, communities, and regions, and to serve in liaison roles with local disability leadership. The Council helps AUCD:
The purpose of the Council is to enhance AUCD by fostering current and new leaders with lived experience of disability, including their family members, to promote leadership in their Programs and communities. Council membership will expand to include directors, faculty, staff, advisors at Center Programs, and CAC members.
The Council on Consumer Affairs first convened in the fall of 1994; the name was later changed to the Council on Consumer Advocacy. The Council was formed as a result of AUCD's (formerly AAUAP) increasing recognition of the importance of receiving consistent and ongoing consumer feedback. Start-up activities were funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, through a Project of National Significance entitled "Leadership and Choices." Principle support was provided by Bruce Eddy of AUCD and Carl Calkins of the University of Missouri/Kansas City, Missouri's UCEDD.
The Council leadership structure includes several internal committees and two co-chairs. 1998 By-Laws stipulate that one co-chair must be an individual with a disability, and the other be the family member of an individual with a disability. The three-year, staggered co-chair positions carry with them a slot on AUCD's Board of Directors.
Full Council membership consists of one representative of each UCEDD, designated by that UCEDD's director. The Council continues to strive to meet its long-term goal of full membership.
In 2003-2004, AUCD made a commitment to revitalize the role of COCA within the Network. Past President of AUCD, David Johnson appointed an ad hoc COCA Workgroup. This workgroup, chaired by Carl Calkins, solicited feedback from the AUCD Network and met several times to develop a renewed vision to strengthen the role of COCA. A final set of recommendations was produced and presented to the board and UCEDD Directors at the UCEDD Directors' retreat May 2-3, 2005 in Chicago, IL.
October 21, 2024
Speech-Language pathologists Jeremy Legaspi (ArizonaLEND Alum 2021-2022) and Wylanta Jones recently created Camp Connect, a camp designed for young people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices. More
October 21, 2024
Children with autism are more likely than their typically developing peers to engage in challenging behavior, which can lead to injury, lower rates of social inclusion, and adverse effects on learning. To support these children, special education professionals in schools need training on functional analysis —the methods used to identify factors that influence challenging behavior. Joseph Lambert, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) researcher and assistant professor of special education at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development, plans to develop this training using virtual-reality-based simulations. More
October 21, 2024
The fall issue of Impact explores the movement to end subminimum wages paid to people with disabilities in group settings and offers strategies for boosting employment rates in the competitive job market. The issue launch coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
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