Association of University Centers on Disabilities

12/20/2025

Check out the latest updates on the Public & School Partnership - Northern Utah AmeriCorps VISTA program in this article from The Salt Lake Tribune : https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/12/18/americorps-cuts-lead-uncertainty/

From the article:
"Currently, the program has five members: three serving in Cache County schools and two at the Utah Assistive Technology Program at USU. Another member is waiting to start at a Cache County elementary school, while a nonprofit that provides adaptive outdoor recreation for youth and adults with disabilities is hoping for a VISTA member to join its ranks.

But Hill said AmeriCorps has frozen new placements for members as Congress debates the federal budget for fiscal 2026."

12/19/2025

The December 2025 issue of 𝘐𝘋𝘋 is available now. Read, ““It’s So Tough!”: Barriers to Respite Care for Families of Children With Disabilities” today!

https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-63.6.512

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

When adolescent mental health conditions go untreated, they often extend into adulthood. The good news? Early intervention can break that cycle. Together, we can help young people thrive today and tomorrow.
Register for an ECHO session to learn more: https://buff.ly/SMeShpT
Reference: https://buff.ly/PjAFRg6

12/19/2025

This holiday season, we thank our network for the dedication, partnership, and shared purpose that drive our work forward. Together, we continue building more inclusive and accessible communities for people with disabilities and their families. Wishing you rest, renewal, and hope in the year ahead.

12/19/2025

Kathryn Bigelow of Juniper Gardens Children's Project is among the scientists featured by KU for her impact on the development of language and social-emotional skills in early childhood.

12/19/2025

Traveling this holiday season?

Airports and airplanes can feel confusing, loud, or overwhelming—especially for autistic and neurodivergent travelers. United created a social story that walks through the entire trip in simple, predictable steps so travelers know what to expect.​

The online social story covers: getting to the airport, checking bags, going through security, waiting at the gate, boarding, flying, landing, and picking up luggage. Families can read it together before a trip to reduce anxiety and build confidence for everyone.​

📲 Check it out here:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/trip-planning/social-story.html​

Let’s make every step of the journey clearer, calmer, and more inclusive. 💙

Image Description:
A bright blue sky poster shows a cartoon airplane flying up through white clouds. At the top, large text reads “PREPARING FOR TRAVEL? Airport Social Story,” and a subtitle underneath says “Step-by-step support for autistic and neurodivergent travelers.”

12/19/2025

Take a 30-minute Lunch Break with the Institute for Community Inclusion, Institute on Disability, and ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources CLE in Action!

Community Life Engagement (CLE) in Action is hosting our next quarterly webinar on Wednesday, January 21 at 1:30pm ET as part of an ongoing series focused on storytelling and peer support for providers who work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Rachel Adams-Duffy, CLE in Action Advisory Board member and disability advocacy advisor at Institute for Community Inclusion will co-present with her mom, Joanna Adams-Duffy, about their family’s real-life experience with CLE.

Sign me up! https://tinyurl.com/yf2ysx6t

12/19/2025

Three School of Social Work MSW students are learning to assist children and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities as 2025-26 Connecticut Leadership E ...

12/19/2025

📢 Special Topics Graduate Course – Spring 2026
Studying Inferential Language in Childhood: Rationale, Methods, and Coding Systems

Curious about how children learn to reason, explain, and predict through conversations? This course dives into the role of inferential language during shared book-reading activities—both one-on-one and in classrooms.

You’ll learn:
✔ How to elicit and measure children’s exposure to inferential talk
✔ Coding authentic adult–child interaction transcripts
✔ Working with data from monolingual children and Dual Language Learners

By semester’s end, you’ll be ready to design studies exploring inferential language and its impact on comprehension and higher-order thinking.

📅 Term & Time: Spring 2026 | Thursdays, 5–7:45 PM
💻 Modality: Remote synchronous | 3 credit hours
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Maria S. Carlo
📩 Email mariacarlo@usf.edu for enrollment permission.

12/19/2025

“The way we talked about our experiences and disabilities shifted, and we began to see not just the challenges but also the gifts.” Read Jillian Nelson of The Autism Society of Minnesota on the Neurodiversity Movement – it’s in Impact. https://z.umn.edu/atw1

12/19/2025

Want to learn what it’s like to take part in community life engagement (CLE) ?

Rachel Adams-Duffy from Institute for Community Inclusion and her mom Joanna will share about their family’s real-life experience with CLE on Wednesday, January 21 at 1:30pm!

Sign me up: https://tinyurl.com/yf2ysx6t