The Institute is a week long intensive executive development program, focused on new UCEDD directors as well as Assistant Directors, Program Directors and others in UCEDDs who, in the opinion of the UCEDDs leadership, demonstrate both potential and willingness to assume senior leadership roles in the UCEDD network.

The conference brings together researchers, policy makers, activists and practitioners to share scholarship and ideas, and provides a forum for Nordic and international collaboration in intellectual disability studies. The first conference takes place in June 18 in Oslo, Norway, under the title Human righs and rule of law. The second conference takes place in June 20 in Trondheim, Norway, under the title Living conditions and quality of life.

This year's theme Race to Success: Employment Comes in First! embodies both our host state and where we are heading with Employment First around the country. 2013 has been dubbed the "year of the chapter". APSE has always been a grass roots organization and our chapters are critical to our success. In order to continue to move Employment First (and make sure it comes in first!) we need to come together to support the work of our chapters! At the conference, we will have several presentations focused on chapter work and we encourage all members to participate and learn how to work with your chapter.

UCEDDs continue to explore different approaches for enhancing meaningful participation of their CACs. Some states report a disconnect between the efforts of the CAC and the work of the UCEDD. This webinar provides an opportunity for UCEDDs and CAC members to share some innovative practices and strategies that have been found useful in enhancing the effectiveness of CACs.

The Symposium on Disability, Technology and Rehabilitation in Low and Middle Income Countries will bring together researchers, clinicians, consumers, consumer led organizations, technology developers and providers, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders who focus on improving and increasing access to technology and rehabilitation products and services with the goal of ensuring full inclusion and participation for people with disabilities in low-resourced communities in low and middle income countries.

This conference from the UNH Institute on Disability's National Center on Inclusive Education (NCIE) Summer Institute will provide learning experiences for families, educators, community service providers, community mental health professionals, and self-advocates who are working to promote inclusive education and transition experiences for students who have challenging behaviors.

Plan to join The Arc in Bellevue, WA on Seattle's East side for the 2013 National Convention from August 3-5 where we'll be Achieving Momentum in the movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Come to Washington to discover new information, new programs, new technology, and new ways for you to keep moving forward with your goals as well! Join hundreds of other individuals, families, advocates, experts, and professionals in the field for three days of informative sessions, unique events, and opportunities to connect.

This presentation will explore this issue using data from 2 longitudinal samples of US children. The findings have important implications for how developmental services should be configured. This talk is geared toward MCH professionals who work with young children at risk for developmental difficulties.

Self-Advocacy Online is an educational and networking website for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a place to find accessible information on current topics in self-advocacy. Key areas of the site include a listing of self-advocacy groups, a video story wall, an online learning center, and research studies translated into accessible documents.

Join members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the congressional Native American Caucus, Tribal Leaders, Policy Experts, community Members, and researches to examine the root causes of and solutions to health disparities.

The development of support groups for families and individuals with disabilities can be a vital outreach and research component of UCEDDs/LENDs. Implementing culturally and linguistically competent support groups for diverse populations will provide UCEDDs/LENDs the opportunity to serve underserved populations while developing trust and relationships to increase diversity in research projects. This webinar presented best practices on developing culturally and linguistically competent support groups and utilizing support groups in research. Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities highlighted two of its projects: Hispanic Parent Support Group and Parent Stress Intervention Research Project.

Themes for 2013 include the following: The Rehabilitation Act At 40: Promises Kept, Promises Still To Keep; Assistive Technology: Opening Doors For People With Disabilities; When The Community, Business and Government Collaborate, People With Disabilities Work; Access To Health For Women With Disabilities and Brain Injury: A Family Affair Across The Lifespan.

What is the AUCD network? How will AUCD help me this year and into my career? How can I get involved in the Network? This webinar took place on October 8 and the audience learned the answers to these questions and more as they begin at a LEND or UCEDD.

The University of Kentucky's Human Development Institute (HDI) has created a National Center for Prenatal and Postnatal Down Syndrome Resources that oversees three programs that complement each other in providing important resources and information for new and expectant parents learning about a diagnosis of Down syndrome. These programs include the Lettercase program, Brighter Tomorrows, and Down Syndrome Pregnancy. The Center provides this clearinghouse of nationally recommended resources so that medical practitioners, expectant parents, and new parents have access to accurate, current and balanced information about Down syndrome. The activities of the Center include the dissemination of free resources to medical providers and their patients, the development of new materials, and national medical outreach through presentations at medical conferences and journals.