About Community Inclusion

AUCD is proud to collaborate with the University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) at Oregon Health & Science University, in partnership with CommunicationFIRST, to create a national partnership to develop an approach and plan to advance peer-support models for augmentative and alternative (AAC) communication users. This partnership consortium will include individuals who need and use AAC in project leadership as well as self-advocacy organizations, individuals from multiply marginalized communities, and others who also have expertise in AAC and speech disability, disability civil rights, and peer support. The outcomes from this first phase of work will include a set of actionable recommendations for the creation of a nationwide resource for developing peer support models that promote and enhance the field of AAC. 

"The ACL Grassroots Project: Engage. Connect. Advocate." is an initiative funded by the Administration for Community Living and administered by the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI). This initiative aims to empower grassroots advocacy for disability rights across the nation. HSRI will collaborate with national disability organizations, forming a National Advocacy and Action Coalition representing various ACL-funded programs to nurture a new wave of diverse advocates, fostering leadership and driving systemic change. Through state and local coalitions, this coalition plans to harness the strength of ACL disability networks in each region to promote quality community living and ensure accountability from states and providers.

AUCD and the UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities host the Early Childhood Intervention Personnel Center for Equity. AUCD supports the Center's 30 LEND trainees from diverse backgrounds, who train as Early Childhood Intervention Equity Champions for the 2023-2024 cohort. This nationwide program includes multiple in-person opportunities on equity in early childhood intervention and monthly meetings over 6 months. Each LEND trainee executes a capstone project to drive equity forward, and furthers their clinical career as an early childhood intervention personnel.