AUCD International Special Interest Group

March 21, 2024

Mission
To foster equitable sharing and exchange of knowledge and practices and forge
meaningful relationships and partnerships that promote and enhance disability inclusion globally.

Vision
We envision an international SIG that supports equity, dignity, respect, and the inclusion of all people, particularly people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities, including those living in underserved and under resourced regions of the United States and around the world. We seek to promote interdisciplinary training and research, education, co-creation and cross-mcultural collaboration, knowledge, practice, resource sharing and translation, and information dissemination.

Goal
To create a special interest group that provides a platform that encourages lifelong learning, promotes interdisciplinary training and research, education, co-creation and cross-cultural collaboration, knowledge, practice, resource sharing and translation, and information dissemination, including all local, national, and international activities that strategically and intentionally advances the mission and vision of the SIG.

Membership
The International Collaborative on Disability is comprised of network members who have a strong interest in or whose work are related to international activities. This include, but is not limited to, research and evaluation, education, training, practice, technical assistance, and information dissemination.

The SIG will organize its activities around these four focus areas and objectives:

1. Interdisciplinary Training and Education:
1. Conduct culturally responsive trainings/webinars on topics related to disability across the globe and work towards increasing access to interdisciplinary training opportunities and resources for people outside the geographic boundaries of the United States.
2. Partner with international universities and organize international presentations and meetings at AUCD annual conference each year and other conferences.
2. Community Outreach and Engagement:
1. Build partnerships with relevant international stakeholders to address current international needs in global disability rights and inclusion and build on existing work been conducted by network members.
3. Research and Evaluation:
1. Develop new research/projects and maintain a summary of international research projects by network members to facilitate cross-center collaboration and serve as a resource for AUCD on international activities reporting.
4. Information Dissemination:
1. In collaboration with AUCD, develop and ensure best practices for sharing information relevant to disability across the globe.
2. Engage in knowledge co-creation with international organizations and communitymembers on best practices that would be most helpful and beneficial, while being aware that each country and region is unique and may have diverse needs.

SIG Meetings

• Meeting frequency:
  Meetings held on the 4th Wednesday of the month on a quarterly basis (with the exception of the first meeting that is scheduled for 3/6/24).
• Meeting Date/Time/Location:
• March 6, 2024: 1 st Wednesday at 12:00 - 1:00 PM. ET (Virtual)
• May 22, 2024: 4th Wednesday at 2:00 - 3:00 PM. ET (Virtual)
• August 28, 2024: 4th Wednesday at 2:00 - 3:00 PM. ET (Virtual)
• November TBD with AUCD annual conference (In-person)

The following AUCD network members will support the SIG’s mission by taking an important
leadership role in leading meetings and coordinating the SIG activities.

• Mirian Ofonedu, Maryland UCEDD
• Macdonald Metzger, Minnesota UCEDD
• Maya Ayoub, California UCEDD
• Christa Preston, Massachusetts UCEDD

John Tschida, AUCD Executive Director, will serve as staff liaison.