Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU

12/30/2025

Join us on Tuesday, January 13 at 11 a.m. for the next Virtual Speaker Series with Eric Murphy, WVU CED Mental Health Specialist!

Eric will be sharing tips for handling stress, anxiety, and the emotional ups and downs that come with caregiving.

This laid-back virtual series is designed to fit into your lunch break and provide useful info and tips for families and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs.

Register for free: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/gZBAo5WsT8GtBewgIN1u8w #/registration

WV F2F and P4P Programs

12/29/2025

While the government shutdown has ended for now, the parts of the federal budget that impact people with disabilities have not been finalized.

We spent all summer and fall raising awareness about University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) like the WVU CED, and Protection & Advocacy (P&A) organizations like Disability Rights of West Virginia. These programs were not included in the U.S. President's proposed budget. We created the Protect Disability Network Digital Toolkit as a way for everyone to help spread the word about how important these programs are in West Virginia, a state that has the highest disability rate in the entire country. UCEDDs provided free services to over 1.3 million people last year.

The toolkit includes sample letters, social media graphics and posts, and key facts to help you reach out to representatives if you so choose. West Virginians with disabilities and their families should have access to these vital supports and services. Both the Senate and House committees have recommended to add UCEDDs and P&As back into the budget, but they still have to consolidate before it passes by the President's desk to be finalized.

Thank you for supporting the WVU CED and all the disability organizations that continue to work for West Virginians with disabilities each and every day!

View the toolkit: https://cedwvu.org/protect-disability-network-digital-toolkit/

Association of University Centers on Disabilities
National Disability Rights Network
Disability Rights of West Virginia
WV Developmental Disabilities Council

12/29/2025

Do you know about the Specialized Family Care (SFC) program at the WVU CED?

SFC helps link adults and children who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities with families that are willing to open their homes to them and offer loving family environments. SFC allows a person to continue living in the community in safe, loving family units rather than being confined to an institutional setting or left unattended without community care.

Persons qualified for this program live in a foster care setting with individuals and families who are specially screened, trained, and state-certified to provide care in their home. The person is welcomed into the home as a family member.

Make a referral to the SFC program: https://redcap.wvctsi.org/redcap/surveys/?s=MNEHNKJWAA

Foster home provider application: https://redcap.wvctsi.org/redcap/surveys/?s=9ENNYKA49D

Specialized Family Care Program

12/26/2025

The WVU CED has introduced a new online course, "Patient Care for Patients with Disabilities in Rural Primary Care," as a flexible training opportunity.

This training is free for all students and medical residents.

This training will equip providers with the knowledge and skills to:

- Assess the unique needs of patients with disabilities.
- Develop tailored care plans to improve health outcomes.
- Overcome common challenges in rural primary care settings.
- Enhance patient engagement and satisfactions.
- Improve care coordination with specialists and community resources.

Why this micro-credential matters:

- 1 in 5 adults has a disability, and this number is projected to increase.
- Rural areas face significant disparities in access to disability care.

What you'll gain:

- 5 hours of interactive online content.
- Certification CE credits and/or community service hours.
- Ongoing support and networking opportunities.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and improve patient care. Enroll now and start making a difference in the lives of patients with disabilities!

Register: https://wvu.geniussis.com/PublicStudentSignUp.aspx?AffiliateID=LR10P3

WVU School of Medicine
WVU School of Nursing
WVU School of Public Health
West Virginia University- Occupational Therapy

12/23/2025

Congratulations to all of the new WVU graduates!

Staff from the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) and the CED were on hand to help with accessibility and accommodations during commencement.

Thanks to all the staff who helped, and shout-out to our box truck, CEDric, for hauling wheelchairs, walkers, and other adaptive equipment to the WVU Coliseum!

West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS
West Virginia University

1st 📸: WVU CED director Dr. Lesley Cottrell and WVATS program manager Doug Cumpston with wheelchairs and walkers unloaded from the CED's box truck, CEDric.

2nd 📸: One of the ADA seating sections at the WVU Coliseum.

📽: Doug Cumpston assists an attendee as they sign out a wheelchair.

12/23/2025

Everyone deserves to be independent, whether they're at home, school, or work. People should have the right to make their own choices and be self-sufficient.

The Independent Living Transitions section of our website is full of helpful info and resources to help West Virginians with disabilities live as independently as possible. You'll find initial questions to ask yourself to find out what resources will be most helpful, info on the three Centers for Independent Living in the state, WV-specific resources, and guardianship/supported decision making resources.

Check it out: https://cedwvu.org/transitions/independent-living-transitions/

12/22/2025

Please check out our updated holiday schedule:

The CED will be closed:
12/24-12/28

The CED will be open:
12/29-12/30 (closing at 1 p.m. on 12/30)

The CED will be closed:
12/31-1/4

The CED will be open from 1/5 onwards with regular M-F business hours.

Thank you, and we hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season with friends and family!

12/22/2025

The WVU Country Roads program is designed for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students take academic courses, live in shared residential housing on campus, gain real-world work experience, and participate in social activities.

Want to learn more about the program? Sign up for our virtual info sessions taking place at three different times on Wednesday, January 7, 2026: https://cedwvu.wufoo.com/forms/country-roads-virtual-info-sessions-2026

Pictured: Current Country Roads students preparing for a climb at the WVU Outdoor Education Center during a teambuilding activity.

12/19/2025

We're getting really excited for the traumatic brain injury (TBI) conference, "Pushing the Peak: Elevating Brain Injury Science and Support," happening as part of Alive to Thrive Day on January 23, 2026 at Canaan Valley Resort!

The WV TBI Services program has been sharing some of the expert speakers that will be making an appearance at this professional CEU conference, including Executive Director of the National Association of State Head Injury Administrations (NASHIA), Rebeccah Wolfkeil!

Get your tickets and secure your spot today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/embed/ticketing/alive-to-thrive-wv?modal=true

12/19/2025

We want to talk about school transitions for people with disabilities.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says that transition planning should focus on what students want to achieve after high school. This includes things like instruction, future goals, job evaluation, and daily living skills. The transition plan should be tailored to each student's needs and goals.

A smooth transition can improve the future for students with disabilities after high school. Transition meetings, self-advocacy, and preparation can help students make the most of their education and available resources. According to IDEA, students need to start talking about their transition needs by the age of 14.

Our School Transitions page includes a "Know Your Rights" section for students and families to learn more about the many laws that protect their access to education. You can also browse several resources, including our Handbook for Reasonable Accommodations in the College Classroom, which provides a step-by-step guide for requesting and implementing accommodations for both students and faculty.

Check it out: https://cedwvu.org/transitions/school-transitions/

12/18/2025

WVU Country Roads program peer mentor K'Marion Dowe was supported by some of his mentees from the program during his recent WVU Intramural basketball championship!

K'Marion helps with the Health and Well-Being class as part of the program's curriculum for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Peer mentors help Country Roads students navigate campus life, from riding the PRT to social activities.

Thanks to K'Marion and the Country Roads students for showing that peer support works for both mentees AND mentors!

Interested in becoming a Country Roads peer mentor? Some mentors can use their time towards internship, practicum, or other training or service hours.

Learn more and apply: https://countryroads.cedwvu.org/peer-mentors/

Photo: Country Roads students Evan, Dawson, and TC with WVU Intramural basketball champs K'Marion Dowe and Cyrile Ngassa.

WVU Campus Rec

12/17/2025

UnPuzzled Parents Connect is looking for committee members to help them grow and continue to build a strong support network for parents and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs!

Send them a message over at their page or email unpuzzledparentsconnect@gmail.com to learn more.

Unpuzzled Parents Connect

💙 We’re Growing — and We’re Looking for Passionate Committee Members! 💙
UnPuzzled Parents Connect has grown beyond what we ever imagined — and with that growth comes the need for more voices, more hearts, and more hands at the table.
If you are passionate about the work we’re doing and want to play a deeper role in supporting families, we would love to hear from you.
✨ We’re seeking committee members who want to help with:
• Program planning and decision-making
• Volunteer coordination and support
• Fundraising and community outreach
• Helping shape the future of UnPuzzled Parents Connect
You don’t need special credentials — just a heart for families, a willingness to show up, and a desire to make an impact.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, professional, or community member who believes in inclusion, support, and connection — there is a place for you here.
📩 Interested in getting involved?
Send us a message and let’s start the conversation.
Together, we are building something meaningful — and this is only the beginning. 💛