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Conference Invitation and Overview

 

Leslie Cohen

An invitation and call for proposals from AUCD 2013 Conference Chair, Leslie Cohen, JD (Sonoran UCEDD, University of Arizona).

 

Promoting Inclusion in an Increasingly Diverse World

Our world is rapidly changing and growing in diversity. In our universities, communities and across the nation, a diverse array of racial, ethnic, linguistic, and ability backgrounds enrich our world and frame our experiences. Currently, approximately 37% of all Americans identify themselves as non-white and it is estimated that by 2042, people of color will be the majority in the United States. Over 24 different languages and countless dialects are spoken in communities throughout our country. As a network, we are poised to address our nation's changing demographics through our own network's diversity and our ability to respond to the culturally and linguistically diverse populations we serve.

This year's AUCD Conference theme promotes our network values of inclusion of all persons with developmental and other disabilities in community life and engages the network in conversation and practices to ensure our work reflects the changing cultural and linguistic landscape in our Centers and States. The conference will include opportunities to address these issues through conference panels, concurrent and poster sessions:

  • Promoting Inclusion: The 2013 AUCD Conference will explore how our research, programs, education, training, and information dissemination efforts can be a catalyst for community inclusion for all individuals with developmental and other disabilities and their families.
  • Increasing Diversity: The 2013 AUCD Conference will address culturally and linguistically competent practices and how increasing our own Center's racial, ethnic, cultural, and disability diversity will ensure our work is responsive to the communities we serve.

The 2013 AUCD Conference provides a special opportunity for you to share your interests, talents, and perspectives in these focus areas as well as a range of disability related topics with others in the network and our partners. We encourage you and your colleagues to respond to the Call for Proposals. We look forward to receiving your submissions and your subsequent participation in the conference.