he Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference is ADvancing States' national conference that annually brings together state, federal, and local policymakers as well as leaders who administer, manage, and deliver waiver and other HCBS programs. The purpose of the HCBS Conference is to share practices and policies that improve state systems delivering long-term services and supports (LTSS) for all ages and abilities.

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) will be hosting a free webinar on the topic of sexuality on Monday, October 15, at 2:00 p.m. ET featuring Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., OAR Scientific Council chairman and executive director of the EPIC School (Paramus, NJ), and Amy Gravino, M.A., president of A.S.C.O.T. Consulting. They will provide an overview of the many challenges associated with sexuality and sexuality education for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and offer recommendations as to the role individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them need to play in this complex and important area of adult life.

The Ninth Summer Institute on Theology and Disability is taking place this year at the Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, June 11-14, hosted by the church in collaboration with Duke Divinity School.

The goal of a Gathering is to facilitate critical conversations on person-centered practices, share, gather knowledge to enhance training skills and to network with like-minded people and make connections.

The Annual Meeting provides researchers, clinicians, practitioners, educators, policymakers, local, state and federal agencies, and advocates with cutting edge research, effective practices, and valuable information on important policy initiatives.

Western Theological Seminary and Hope College are hosting the 7th Summer Institute on Theology and Disability in Holland, Michigan, May 23-26, 2016. Western Seminary is beginning a new certificate program in ministries with people with disabilities under the leadership of Dr. Benjamin Conner. The first Friendship House in the United States is also at Western, a residence for seminary students that also includes adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in shared apartments. Holland, Michigan is on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The AAPD Leadership Awards Gala provides a unique opportunity for our partners, supporters, and colleagues to show their support of Americans with all types of disabilities while bringing together the national cross-disability community with business and government leadership for one night each year. The 2016 Leadership Awards Gala will be held on March 23, 2016 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

The AMCHP Annual Conference is the ideal venue to present your ideas, research, innovative programming, best practices, and effective outreach strategies to MCH and other public health practitioners, directors of state programs, federal officials, advocates, family leaders, researchers, and healthcare providers.

The conference theme "The Sooner We're Equal the Better," not only shows our pride as the Sooner State, but it also describes the efforts of self-advocates across America and the globe to enjoy the same rights as any citizen in any community while striving to live independent and fulfilling lives