AUCD Leadership Academy

The AUCD Leadership Academy is a program that lasts one year. It is designed for current and emerging leaders from the disability community. The goal is to develop and improve leadership skills. The Academy teaches people how to improve systems of support and services. These systems and services can include federal and state agencies. Examples include HRSA, ACL, and State Councils on Developmental Disabilities. These systems and services can also include disability organizations. Examples include The Arc and other local and state advocacy and services organizations.

The Leadership Academy seeks participants from:

• University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs),
• Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LENDs) programs, and
• Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRCs).

The Academy also looks for participants from UCEDD, LEND and IDDRC community partners. Examples include community advocacy groups and clinical services sites.

Participants come together to:

• become leaders, 
• connect with each other, and 
• learn how to start making changes in their communities.

The Academy includes an in-person session that lasts one week. The intensive experience means that participants will meet daily for one week.

During this experience, program participants will:

• share their experiences with each other; 
• focus on developing their skills; work with other Academy participants, staff, local coaches, and national allies in virtual meetings; 
• focus on exploring shared values; 
• focus on a shared commitment to civil and human rights; 
• look at their strengths and skills as leaders; and 
• make personal and professional leadership goals.

For more information about the AUCD Leadership Academy, please visit: 
https://disability.publichealth.gsu.edu/academy/.