Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan
for the UCEDD National Network 
The UCEDD network has the capacity to reduce disparities, improve outcomes, and promote a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive society for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families from historically underserved groups. This Action Plan identifies four areas of focus with objectives and action steps for network members to address: (1) workforce diversity, (2) cultural and linguistic competence, (3) state/local impact, and (4) crosscutting considerations that apply to all efforts. Read more...
News
1/31/2020
AUCD Invites Host Applications for the Spring 2020 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment (PFP-IDE)
AUCD is excited to invite host applications for the Spring 2020 Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment (PFP-IDE). PFP-IDE is a U.S. Department of State professional exchange program that enables emerging disability rights leaders from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to participate in a five-week Fellowship in the U.S. where they will learn about disability advocacy and inclusive employment. Hosts will provide mentorship to the Professional Fellows and will collaborate to develop an inclusive employment project for their home countries.
1/17/2020
AUCD Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
As we begin 2020, we as a nation, including the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights legislation impacts the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities and protects against discrimination and ensures and improves access to opportunities afforded to all.
2/21/2020
UD Get's $1 Million Grant for Special Education Training (DE UCEDD)
The Center for Disabilities Studies, in partnership with other education centers at the University of Delaware and the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), is offering the state's first special education-specific leadership training program. Called the Special Education Administrative Leadership (SEAL) program, it is supported by a five-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Applications became available in January, and the training sessions will launch in August.
2/21/2020
Va-LEND Trainee Receives Champions of Accessibility Award
Submitted by Jennifer Drummond
Va-LEND Trainee, Lynne Fetter received the Champions of Accessibility Award from the Transforming Accessibility Initiative (TAI) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Fetter was one of thirteen honored at TAI's annual fall conference. This award aimed to honor individuals, departments, groups, or websites committed to advocating for accessibility in their community. Recipients show passion and drive for promoting access and are making a large impact on the VCU Community, according to TAI. Fetter won under the graduate category, as her Social Work internship at the Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) at VCU focused on supporting youths with disability transition from school to the workplace.
2/19/2020
UConn UCEDD Molly Cole awarded the prestigious The ARC Connecticut Peg Dignoti Advocacy Award
The UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities' (UConn UCEDD) Associate Director of Public Policy, Molly Cole, was awarded the prestigious The ARC Connecticut Peg Dignoti Advocacy Award.
2/18/2020
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) Hosts 2020 Educate to Advocate Public Policy Workshop
The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) recently hosted its 2020 Educate to Advocate public policy workshop in preparation for Feb. 4's Tennessee Disability Day on the Hill, during which disability organizations, family members and caregivers, self-advocates, and more schedule appointments with their elected officials to discuss disability issues and upcoming legislation.
AUCD Webinars
Demonstration Services by UCEDDs
Wednesday, February 26, 20203:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar
This webinar will address the Demonstration Services UCEDD core function. This is the sixth installment of a multi-part series titled "Coffee and TA," addressing the UCEDD core functions as categorized in NIRS. This webinar features two UCEDDs, the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University and the University of Southern California UCEDD at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, doing innovative work around Demonstration Services.
Public Policy
Tuesdays with Liz: Self Advocacy and Civil Rights with Rachel Mueller
"The ADA says that I can live my life just like everybody else. And civil rights, I learned that from Martin Luther King, Jr!" --Rachel Mueller, advocate with a disability The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes sure that legally, people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. Leading up to the ADA's 30th anniversary, Rachel Mueller, someone born after the ADA was made a law, tells Liz about how the ADA impacts her life.
Speaking Up with 2019 AUCD Video Contest Winner Taylor Carley
Sometimes it takes awhile to find your voice. Winner of the 2019 AUCD Video Contest, Taylor Carley, talks about his YouTube series, Chit Chat Thursdays with Taylor, which he started after seeing Tuesdays with Liz! Taylor is an Emerging Leader from the Mississippi UCEDD, the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS).
Good Luck to Andy Imparato, AUCD Executive Director for 6 Years
AUCD is the network for anyone in the disability community. Former Executive Director of AUCD, Andy Imparato, speaks with Liz about what he accomplished during his time here, how he sees the future of Tuesdays with Liz, and what's up next.
Events
PacRim2020
Monday, March 2, 2020 - Tuesday, March 3, 2020Location: Honolulu, HI
The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Center on Disability Studies, in the College of Education, is accepting presentation proposals to be featured at the 35th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability & Diversity at the Hawaii Convention Center, March 2-3, 2020. Submissions are being accepted from June 1, 2019-December 1, 2019 at www.pacrim.hawaii.edu.
2020 Pre-EHDI LEND Workshop
Sunday, March 8, 20202:00pm CT - 5:00pm CT
Location: Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
This workshop will introduce LEND pediatric audiology trainees to the various challenges associated with effectively serving deaf/hard of hearing children (including those with additional disabilities) from clinical practice and systems perspectives. It is a unique, interactive learning opportunity that brings together trainees and faculty from across the country. The focus will be on shared decision making and journeying with families during transitions.
2020 UCEDD Directors' Retreat and TA Institute
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - Thursday, March 12, 2020Location: The Crowne Plaza : Crystal City-Washington, D.C.
The TA Institute provides an opportunity for UCEDD leaders to network, meet with their federal project officers, and learn of new initiatives, national trends, and other information vital to the administration of the UCEDD programs.
