Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities

12/17/2025

We are excited to share the dates for our 2026 HEELS 2 Transition Programs, including HEELS Prep, HEELS UP, and HEELS Week Away. These strengths-based programs are designed for young adults ages 18–26 who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Summer 2026 Program Dates:
HEELS Week Away:
• May 27 – June 2, 2026
• Eligibility: Open only to alumni of HEELS Prep or HEELS UP
HEELS Prep:
• June 15 – July 10, 2026
• Family Orientation: Saturday, June 6, 2026
HEELS UP – Summer Session II:
• June 22 – July 23, 2026
• Student Orientation: Week of June 15, 2026
HEELS UP – Academic Year Program:
• August 2026 – May 2027
• Applications: Currently open and due January 6, 2026

Click on flyer below for additional details and visit our website at: https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/outreach/heels2transition/. Applications for summer programs will be released on website in January 2026 and are due by February 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Any questions may be directed to heels2transition@med.unc.edu.

12/03/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Diana Cejas, Associate Professor of Neurology and Dual appointment with the CIDD, who was honored with the 2025 AMWA Inspire Award by the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)!

Celebrating 47 women physicians recognized for inspiring others to impact the culture of medicine. The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 AMWA […]

12/03/2025

In honor of International Day of People with Disabilities Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty is bringing back one of the his podcast's earliest episodes from 2021 with Lia McNeilly and her daughter Neave talking about being brought up with a disability in Northern Ireland.

In this episode, Kenneth interviews Lia and Neave McNeilly who are mother and daughter about what it is like to live with a disability in Northern Ireland, compared to the US.

12/03/2025

Exceeding Expectations with Kenneth Kelty:
https://open.spotify.com/show/05Ge8ARwOwfLDgqbVdEVX4?si=lUM8nHBgQcqC_eLqKHEiqQ&nd=1&dlsi=8989b21f5b8847c3

Podcast · CIDD Presents · Kenneth Kelty is an award winning motivational speaker and activist on his life with disabilities and self determination. Kenneth will be interviewing trailblazers and leaders on both a national level and local level as well. Kenneth is very passionate about disability ac...

12/03/2025

CIDD Community Talk Webinar presents Parenting with a Disability
Wednesday, December 10 @ 12:00 Noon

Join a panel of parents with disabilities as they discuss being a parent in an "Able-Centric" environments. This panel will be led by Chris Hendricks, musician, advocate and parent with lived experience.

Register in advance for this series:

Talks on resources, research and experiences presented for the IDD Community by the UNC Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities.

10/15/2025

Laura Klinger, PhD, of psychiatry, and Jason Stein, PhD, in genetics, together with CIDD Director, Joseph Piven, MD, in psychiatry, received two $4 million grants to study the root causes and improve therapies to help autistic people live happier and healthier lives.

Laura Klinger, PhD, of psychiatry, and Jason Stein, PhD, in genetics, together with Joseph Piven, MD, in psychiatry, received two $4 million grants to study the root causes and improve therapies to help autistic people live happier and healthier lives.

09/23/2025

El Consejo Presenta:
Serie de videos de la ADA para comunidades de habla hispana

Jueves 25 de septiembre de 2025
1:00 - 2:00 PM vía Zoom

————————

The Council Presents:
ADA Video Series for Spanish-Speaking Communities

Thursday, September 25, 2025
1:00 - 2:00 PM via Zoom

Email from NC Council on Developmental Disabilities Una serie educativa mensual para personas de la comunidad. View as Webpage El Consejo Presenta: Serie de videos de la ADA para comunidades de habla

09/05/2025

The NC Fragile X Foundation Board will be hosting their annual Family & Friends Picnic on October 11th, 2025. Time is 11am-4pm. Rain or Shine! Please RSVP at the link below by Oct 3:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fragile-x-2025-picnic
Meet us at the Lake Mackintosh Clubhouse to check in when you arrive!
Lake Mackintosh Park
2704 Huffman Mill Road
Burlington, NC 27215

Questions? Contact Tim Field at timfield2@gmail.com
or 919-548-9760

The NC Fragile X Foundation Board is pleased to host our annual Family & Friends Picnic. Join us for a day to reunite and gather with our NC Fragile X community!WHAT TO EXPECT:Catered BBQ Lunch (with Vegetarian and kid-friendly options)Scenic and Peaceful Location on the LakeFriendly Faces, both...

08/28/2025

FREE Webinar: NC ABLE – Eligibility, Benefits, and Features
Date & Time Sep 22, 2025 12:00 PM Eastern Time
The presentation focuses on the ABLE account eligibility, account features and benefits of owning an ABLE account. ABLE accounts provide tax- advantaged savings and investment accounts for people living with a disability without jeopardizing other means-tested public supports. Register at the link below:

The presentation focuses on the ABLE account eligibility, account features and benefits of owning an ABLE account. ABLE accounts provide tax- advantaged savings and investment accounts for people living with a disability without jeopardizing other means-tested public supports. Who is eligible for AB...

08/27/2025

https://conta.cc/46co5wo
When the School Bus Stops Coming: Preparing Youth with Disabilities & Their Caregivers for the Road Ahead
Exceptional Children's Assistance Center FREE In-Person Transition Event! Saturday, September 27, 2025 9 am to 4:00 pm Pine Lake Prep 104 Yellow Wood Circle, Mooresville, NC 28115
Register before Sept 1. Click on link below:
https://conta.cc/46co5wo

Email from Exceptional Children's Assistance Center FREE Transition Event! Saturday, September 27, 2025 9 am to 4:00 pm Pine Lake Prep 104 Yellow Wood Circle, Mooresville, NC 28115 A Free In-Person Tr

08/27/2025

https://appwell.appstate.edu/outreach/growingwell/conference/
Important NC Developmental Disabilities Conference October 12-14!
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities is excited to partner with the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness at Appalachian State on a conference focused on raising children and youth with developmental disabilities and other disabilities throughout their lifetime. Scholarships for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and family members are available for registration (and a limited number for travel).

2025 Growing Well Conference: “Moving Mountains and Community”
Presented by AIHW Community Outreach and Education

October 12-14, 2025 | Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences
Boone, NC
The Conference is for: Family Members, People with Developmental Disabilities, Professionals, and Advocates!
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! Family members and individuals with I/DD can apply for scholarships. There are a limited number of scholarships for registration and for travel to the conference for those more than three hours away from Boone.
Topics will include:
• Medical management of children with complex health conditions
• Evidence-based behavioral therapies
• Cross-system collaboration in child welfare and mental health
• Supporting youth through transitions from school to adulthood including employment and other opportunities
Go here to Learn More and Register!

The Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness connects App State to the community by supporting research, interprofessional clinics and community outreach.

08/25/2025

WEBINAR: Medicaid is Changing —What Does it Mean for You?
Date: September 4, 2025 Time: 7:00-8:00pm
What to Expect:-Clear explanations of Medicaid changes-How these affect families-Q&A with panel of experts
Register at link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2r4D7A1XSluVy3tLOlUu4Q #/registration
Who Should Attend: Families• Self-advocates • Caregivers & Providers, Foster, Adoptive, and kinship caregivers, including families supporting loved ones with disabilities across the lifespan

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Medicaid is Changing —What Does it Mean for You?. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.