Association of University Centers on Disabilities, AUCD, News and Updates

A Collaborative Interagency, Interdisciplinary Approach to Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood

Fri, 24 May 2013

This paper promotes four core concepts that are essential to the development and implementation of effective transition plans and process: (1) Self-determination should be the foundation for transition planning; (2) Transition should be viewed through a cultural lens; (3) Interagency collaboration is essential to effective transition (4) Transition planning should include all the perspectives, disciplines, and organizations that will impact the transitioning student.
This paper was written for and by directors and staff UCEDDs and LENDs with the aim of promoting a dialogue among key stakeholders and facilitating their engagement in pursuing a more comprehensive, coordinated, supportive, and successful transition process for youth with disabilities from adolescence to young adulthood.

President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities Report on Managed Long-Term Services and Supports

Wed, 22 May 2013

The President's Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities 2012 report on Managed Long Term Services and Supports provides 15 recommendations in the areas of disability stakeholder engagement, choice and self-determination, consumer protection and rights, and quality measurement, data collection, and research.

Archives Available: MCHB/AUCD Pediatric Audiology Webinar Series 2012-2013

Mon, 13 May 2013

Funded through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), the MCHB/AUCD LEND Pediatric Audiology Training Program supports 10 LEND programs to increase the didactic content and clinical experience of trainees in pediatric audiology. This webinar series was created to provide a leadership opportunity for LEND trainees/fellows from these funded programs, allowing them to present their experiences in pediatric audiology within the LEND interdisciplinary setting. Each webinar features presentations by LEND pediatric audiology trainees.

Join the Employment Learning Community

Thu, 09 May 2013

Five to ten states will be selected, and will receive technical assistance to support consortium development and systems change. Each state will be expected to participate in the ELC for 24 months, with an option to re-apply at the end of the 24-month period. Applications are due by May 31st.

New in NGSD's 'Research to Practice in Self-Determination' Series: Self-Determination and Aging

Tue, 07 May 2013

People who are self-determined know what they want and how to get it. They choose and set goals, then work to reach them. They advocate on their own behalf, and are involved in solving problems and making decisions about their lives. View Issue 5: Self-Determination and Aging today.

Pennsylvania's UCEDD Celebrates 40 Years in 2013

Fri, 03 May 2013

The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University in Philadelphia is marking its 40th anniversary this year. Established in 1973, the Institute has reached people with disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, educators and other professionals in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The Institute will celebrate with an anniversary party and awards program on Thursday, May 23, in Mitten Hall on the main campus of Temple University.

National Report on Employment Services and Outcomes from ICI (MA UCEDD & LEND)

Wed, 24 Apr 2013

This new report provides national and state-level statistics spanning a twenty-year period. Its sources include several data sets that address the status of employment and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with ID/DD.

HHS Releases Blueprint to Advance Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care

Wed, 24 Apr 2013

The enhanced National CLAS standards are a blueprint to help organizations improve health care quality in serving our nation's diverse communities. They are grounded in a broad definition of culture, in which health is recognized as being influenced by factors ranging from race and ethnicity to language, spirituality, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and geography.

AUCD Now Accepting Applications for 2013-2014 Virtual Trainee

Thu, 18 Apr 2013

The AUCD Virtual Trainee will use leadership skills to build relationships and communications among trainees throughout the nationwide AUCD network of UCEDDs and LENDs.

The Affordable Care Act Turns 3: A Planning and Educational Toolkit for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities

Tue, 16 Apr 2013

This year's birthday activities will highlight the important role that community groups play in the public education process. Celebrate the ACA's third birthday by educating your community members about the new coverage options that will help up 1 in 10 Asian Americans and 1 in 8 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders gain health insurance.

AUCD Legislative Priorities: 113th Congress

Sat, 13 Apr 2013

Federal Funding and Fiscal Policy; Medicaid and Long Term Services and Supports; Health Care Reform; Combating Autism Act; Developmental Disabilities Act; Family Support; Research and Data Collection; Education; Employment; Rights; Transportation; Social Security; Tax Policy. AUCD calls upon Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion to address the pressing needs of our citizens with disabilities. Gridlock has serious consequences for these individuals.

2013 Readers' Choice Award Winner: Florida Center for Inclusive Communities

Wed, 10 Apr 2013

FCIC was voted to have the Favorite Special-Needs Regional Resource winner. Elizabeth Perkins, FCIC Associate Director, said, "We are truly humbled by the support of everyone who took the time to vote for the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities. Thank you all for helping FCIC's website to become an About.com Reader's Choice award winner. It is a badge of honor that we will wear with pride!"

Key Position Announcement: AUCD Seeks Next Executive Director

Fri, 05 Apr 2013

Due to the announced retirement of the current Executive Director, George Jesien, PhD, later this year, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a national not-for-profit organization located in Silver Spring, MD, seeks an executive director to lead and guide activities that fulfill its mission to advance policies and practices that improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of people with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and their communities. The Association supports its member university-based centers and programs in interdisciplinary research, education, health, and service activities. The next Executive Director will inherit an organization that is respected by peers, is financially sound, has a highly motivated and engaged staff, and has a solid governing Board.

Guam CEDDERS Celebrates 20 Years

Thu, 04 Apr 2013

Guam CEDDERS is a dynamic, everchanging, collaborative organization with the singular vision of enhancing the quality of life for those with developmental disabilities. We have, from 1993-2013, touched an entire generation of individuals. Those born in 1993 are now in the workforce, or are in the process of completing college degrees. As we renew our commitment for the next decade, we look forward to your continued support, collaboration, and partnership as we continue our journey, expand our legacy, strive to even higher levels of excellence, and stay true to our mission over the coming decades.

Newly formed State Health Reform Workgroup

Tue, 02 Apr 2013

AUCD is pleased to announce the newly formed State Health Reform Workgroup. Development of this workgroup was first proposed at the UCEDD Technical Assistance Institute in March, 2013, which addressed aspects of health reform that significantly impact people with disabilities. This workgroup is intended to support network members in their efforts to impact State health reform implementation efforts.

LEND Accomplishments Under CAAI, 2008-2012 (infographic)

Mon, 01 Apr 2013

The nation's 43 LEND programs, part of MCHB's Combating Autism Act Initiative (CAAI), are tasked with improving the lives of children who have or are at risk for autism and other developmental disabilities in part by promoting early screening, diagnostic evaluations, and interventions. For this infographic, AUCD examined data from the past four years of LEND CAAI activities in training the next generation or providers, training current professionals, screening and diagnosis of children, and disseminating publications and products.

AUCD 2013: You're Invited

Tue, 26 Mar 2013

This Conference theme promotes our network values of inclusion of all persons with developmental and other disabilities in community life and engages the network in conversation and practices to ensure our work reflects the changing cultural and linguistic landscape in our Centers and States.

AUCD 2013: Calling All Proposals

Tue, 26 Mar 2013

The AUCD Conference provides a special opportunity to share your interests, talents, and perspectives in a range of disability related topics with others in the network and our partners.

John Merck Fund Announces 2013 Developmental Disabilities Translational Research Program Guidelines and Application Process

Tue, 26 Mar 2013

The John Merck Fund has had a longstanding interest in people with intellectual and developmental disorders since its inception in 1970. In 2012, JMF launched the Developmental Disabilities Translational Research Program, which will support researchers in developing treatments and improving outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome (and FX associated disorders).

The ACA Turns 3!

Sat, 23 Mar 2013

We're wishing a happy birthday to ending discrimination against people with disabilities in health plans, ending yearly and lifetime caps on benefits and ending the exclusion of people with pre-existing conditions!