AUCD 360 - June 2021

Last Chance to  Submit a Proposal for a LIVE concurrent session at AUCD2021

We appreciate the helpful feedback from presenters and attendees about last year's virtual conference. To provide a more interactive experience for 2021, virtual concurrent sessions will take place in a live format during the conference, with opportunities for attendees to interact with presenters during the session. AUCD will also provide CART and ASL for all concurrent presentations. Posters will remain the same with an option to provide a captioned 2-3-minute presentation video along with the e-poster that will viewable online. Read more...

#AUCDsleeveup Tuesdays with Liz Contest

We are excited to announce the new #AUCDsleeveup Tuesdays with Liz Contest! We are looking for short videos from persons with disabilities, their family members, and other friends of the disability community sharing why you got the COVID-19 vaccine! Videos will be posted to AUCD social media and available for you and others to share with your own social media. The top 3 videos with the most likes, comments, and shares on social media will *win* AUCD gear and the person with the top video will also win an interview on Tuesdays with Liz episode! Read more...

Coaching Available for Implementing the ED&I Action Plan

As part of the TA Initiative supporting Implementation of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, the UCEDD Resource Center has hired expert coaches from the AUCD network to provide individualized coaching to network members in topics related to implementing the Action Plan at their UCEDDs. Read more...

Now Available: 2020 AUCD Annual Report

We are pleased to present the Annual Network Report for AUCD covering fiscal year 2020. Throughout the pandemic crisis, AUCD's national network has proven to be an invaluable resource in amplifying the voices of the disability community and providing support to an otherwise overlooked population. Learn more about the policies, personal stories, supports, lessons learned, and resources developed and shared by our network of experts. Read more...  

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Center Director Dr. Daniel Crimmins to Retire After 12 Years of "Leadership in Disability"

Dr. Daniel Crimmins celebrated his retirement from the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) on May 28, 2021 - after an illustrious 12 years at the helm of the organization, which was established at Georgia State University in 2008. Through multiple virtual celebrations, Dr. Crimmins was joined by friends and colleagues alike to mark the occasion. Read more...

Congratulations to Katherine Walton!

Kathern Walton, Program Director of the Early Learning Program at The Nisonger Center, was selected as the recipient of the Department of Psychology Distinguished Teaching Award for 2020-2021! Read more...

Innovation in Self-Advocacy and Family Awards Winner

Tracey Manz, the lead parent facilitator and program coordinator of Aspirations at the Nisonger Center, was awarded the Innovation in Self-Advocacy and Family Networks Award by the National Charting the LifeCourse Nexus. Read more...

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MI-DDI to Promote COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute is excited to #VaccinateByADA! Follow us on Facebook (@MIDDIatWSU) and Twitter (@DDIatWSU) to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines and why they are important for people with disabilities and their caretakers, family, and friends. Help spread the word by reposting and sharing our content to help reduce access barriers and promote vaccine confidence. Read more!

Funded Through NSF Grant, Researchers Strive to Increase Neurodiversity in STEM Fields

There is wide agreement that the United States needs to grow our STEM workforce to remain globally competitive, but how can we ensure the workforce reflects the neurodiversity of our population? Importantly, do our higher education institutions serve as facilitators or barriers to neurodiversity in STEM? NSF has provided funding for a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary team of experienced disability researchers to embark on a journey of discovery and problem solving around these issues. The project, titled "DYNASTEM: Discovering your Neurodiverse Advantage in STEM," is a $100,000 collaborative planning grant involving a partnership among researchers from a number of higher education institutions-including three UCEDDs. Read more...

OSU TOPS Program Celebrates 2021 Graduating Class

The TOPS Program celebrated its seventh graduating class yesterday in an intimate, socially-distanced ceremony. The four graduates of the Class of 2021 were recognized for their hard work and effort, especially the ability to navigate their college experiences during a global pandemic. The TOPS Program staff are incredibly proud of these students, Congratulations!
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Providing Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Direct Support Professionals Survey, 12-Month Follow Up

Over the past 12 months, direct support professionals have experienced high risks of infection, financial hardship, and exhaustion. Many have become ill and lost loved ones. The voices of DSPs matter, now more than ever. Show them you care about their wellbeing by passing along this confidential survey. The University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration, in partnership with the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, developed this survey to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on direct support professionals and identify the most effective ways to protect DSPs and the people they support. Read more...

Rett Syndrome Clinic Headed y Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Researchers is Redesignated as International Center for Excellence

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is one of 15 institutions across the U.S. being honored with the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF)'s Center of Excellence designation or redesignation. The award recognizes the Vanderbilt Rett Syndrome Clinic's continued dedication to providing best-in-class clinical care for Rett syndrome, a rare neurological and developmental disorder. Read more...

Rural Institute Launches Montana Voices Amplified

The Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, based at the University of Montana, has launched Montana Voices Amplified, a collaboration between the Montana Family to Family Health Information Center and the Rural Institute. Montana Voices Amplified (MVA) provides a microphone and audience so the stories, lessons, causes, and advice of individuals with disabilities and their families are heard. The project offers a stage so people can speak for themselves." Read more..

New Tech Opens Up Physical Therapy Opportunities

The new Munroe-Meyer Institute building was created to be on the cutting edge of clinical care and therapy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and one improved technology already is in use and garnering a positive response from therapists and clients. The ZeroG Gait and Balance System includes a safety harness that runs along an 80-foot-long track in the mobility lab in the department of physical therapy, but it is far from a traditional body weight harness, said Sandra Willett, PhD, director of the MMI Department of Physical Therapy. Read more...

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities Hosted a Virtual Graduation Ceremony to Celebrate the Accomplishments of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2020-2021

The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities hosted a virtual graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2020-2021. Congratulations to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2020-2021New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities and family members available through The Boggs Center with funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. This year's graduates included 11 self-advocates and 14 parents prepared to work toward meaningful change in our state. Read more...

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and ACM Lifting Lives Welcome New and Returning Campers to Virtual 2021 ACM Lifting Lives Music Campt

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) and the Academy of Country Music's philanthropic arm ACM Lifting Lives® teamed up once more for the 12th annual ACM Lifting Lives® Music Camp. This was the second year camp moved to a 100-percent online format in response to COVID-19.The camp is made available through a longtime partnership between ACM Lifting Lives® and the VKC's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). ACM Lifting Lives® funds the costs of the camp in addition to providing scholarships to several campers, enabling the VKC to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service.
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Invited Lecture at the Boggs Center at Rutgers University

Andrea Witwer, Director of Training for the Nisonger Center and LEND Co-Associate Director, was invited to give a Lecture for the Boggs Center Developmental Disability Lecture Series sponsored by the Boggs Center at Rutgers University. "Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities". Read more...

Alaska LEND Alumni Erin Main Joins the Alaska AgrAbility Program

The Alaska LEND Without Walls is pleased to announce that Erin Main, a 2020 LEND alumni, has joined the Alaska AgrAbility program as service administrator. Erin will work part-time and assist with program development to include work with partnerships and community stakeholders. She will be developing the relationship with the AgrAbility program and UAA students in the Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Read more...

Va-LEND Cohorts Complete New Pediatric PT Residency

Recently I read a blog that shared how families that have a loved one with a disability are just waiting for the next battle to happen. That life seems to be going well and then the rain begins and the storm moves in. This blog written by the mother of a child with a developmental disability resonated with me. Even in the good times, it seems like that storm or battle could come at any time. It swoops in and changes our perspective and our priorities. At that moment, nothing else matters except winning that battle and coming out on the other side of the storm. Read more... 

Second Annual Iowa LEND Virtual Research Poster Symposium

Iowa's LEND trainees participated in the second annual virtual research poster symposium in May. Twenty-eight trainees from a variety of disciplines presented. Though the poster session went virtual last year due to the pandemic, and was held virtually again this year, the format has proven to be a very successful platform for the event. Virtual access has made it possible for an even larger audience to join the symposium, which provides a demonstration of dedication and hard work, and the talent and passion, of the ILEND trainees. Read more... 

MN LEND Fellows Help Faith-based Organizations with Inclusion

Plenty of mission statements for faith-based organizations talk about welcoming everyone. When it comes to people with disabilities, however, it takes more than words and a wheelchair ramp to achieve true inclusion. MN LEND fellows, along with the MN UCEDD, are working with a Twin Cities-area church and mosque to think differently about how they serve worshippers with disabilities. MN LEND is an interdisciplinary leadership development program, funded by the U.S. Maternal & Child Health Bureau, that spans more than 16 disciplines across the University of Minnesota. Read more... 

The Experts in the Room: Sonoran UCEDD students train Reid Park Zoo staff on accessibility, inclusion

Kayla was one of three other students who helped create and deliver a training focused on accessibility and inclusion at a local Tucson zoo. Kayla and her colleagues agree that the experience to apply what they learned and help make a difference in the community was a fulfilling experience. Read more... 

The Boggs Center Celebrates the Graduation of the 2020-2021 NJLEND Fellows at the 5th Annual Maternal and Child Health Leadership Symposium

The Boggs Center celebrated the graduation of the 2020-2021 NJLEND Fellows at the New Jersey Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NJLEND) program's 5th annual Maternal and Child Health Leadership Symposium. Held virtually this year in response to COVID-19, the event featured a keynote address, "The Meaning of Resilience: Building Self-Healing Communities," by Dave Ellis, Founding Executive Director The Office of Resilience New Jersey Department of Children and Families, and was attended by those from the Rutgers community, New Jersey's Department of Children and Families and Department of Health, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, and other state and community organizations. Read more... 

NH-ME LEND Trainees Display Scholarship and Leadership in 2021 Capstone Poster Session

Twenty-four trainees from the 2020-2021 New Hampshire-Maine Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH-ME LEND) Program shared their scholarship and leadership development during the annual Capstone Poster Session and Celebration. In keeping with federal and state Centers for Disease Control (CDC) health and safety guidance, the event was held online. For the second year in a row, the trainees remotely collaborated with faculty mentors and leadership partners to complete their capstone projects throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Read more... 

Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities Community and Professional Development Training Program Hosts its 2021 Summer Learning Series Virtually

The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute is hosting its 2021 Summer Learning Series, consisting of 15 virtual workshops with interdisciplinary topics focused on working with children, youth, and adults with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities, and their families. The workshops will run from June 1 through July 29 to help disseminate critical information to providers, parents and caregivers, and people with disabilities across a wide range of topics. Read more... 

National Vaccine Month of Action

Made to Save is launching a month-long mobilization effort in support of the Department of Health & Human Services' We Can Do This campaign to ensure as many people as possible get vaccinated by July 4th. From June 5th through July 4th, we're hosting community-level events across the country and online to encourage people-especially those in communities hit the hardest by the pandemic-to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community. Read more!

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2021 Sibling Leadership Network Conference

June 18-19, 2021, Virtual

The SLN Conference is a unique event that helps to grow the sibling movement by bringing together siblings of people with disabilities and sibling supporters (parents, relatives including people with disabilities and professionals). Attendees at the conference will connect and learn about the sibling experience, hear from national experts on sibling services and supports, explore new research initiatives, learn about pressing issues related to COVID-19, and learn about advocacy opportunities. Read more...

TechSummit 2021

July 22-23, 2021, Virtual

The Nisonger Center's TechSummit is an annual conference with a focus on technology as it relates to developmental disabilities. With funding from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council and support from Assistive Technology of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, TechSummit 2021 will be conducted virtually in an online format. This is the third annual TechSummit event. We encourage you to register and invite your friends! Read more...

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