What is the AUCD Emerging Leaders Community (ELC)?

AUCD Emerging Leaders are a part of a community that includes current trainees from AUCD member sites; former (i.e. alumni) trainees; early career professionals from all health and related disciplines, including self-advocates and family members; and others that are relatively new to the disability field. This group of passionate individuals from every U.S. state and territory grows by the thousands each year. Together, this Emerging Leaders Community shares a passion to serve, research, and educate to make positive changes with and for people with disabilities and their families.

What does the ELC logo represent?

The logo was designed with input from current Emerging Leaders, and it represents how they view their community. Since the ELC is a part of the larger AUCD network, the AUCD logo is central. The surrounding colors speak to the diverse range of identities, experiences, and knowledge that Emerging Leaders bring. Each will take their own path, but it starts with building foundational knowledge and skills – and AUCD is always here to support Emerging Leaders on their individual leadership journeys.

How can the Community be valuable to you?

Emerging Leaders can take advantage of this community by accessing resources and getting involved in national-level activities. AUCD provides an array of resources, including access to a diverse range of disability experts from across the country, as well as opportunities for leadership, academic, and professional growth. Emerging Leaders (individually but even more so as a group) can make a collective impact at the local, state, and national level.

Who are AUCD Trainees?

AUCD Trainees participate at a LEND, UCEDD, or IDDRC. Trainees in the video, titled AUCD Trainee Voices, share their thoughts on (1) the importance of interdisciplinary training, (2) how they use their experiences to make an impact, and (3) how being an AUCD Trainee influenced their pursuit of their personal and professional goals. 

Special Thanks

This website and many of the resources available to AUCD Emerging Leaders were developed by or in close partnership with members of this community. AUCD extends its thanks to all of the Emerging Leaders that willingly shared their valuable time and expertise to ensure that all of these resources support both the goals of the ELC and are aligned with AUCD’s broader Strategic Plan.

This work was supported by a cooperative agreement (#UA5MC11068) between AUCD and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) and a contract (#HHSP23320110016YC) with the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of MCHB, the Health Resources Services Administration, OIDD, the Administration on Community Living, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or the U.S. Government.