The Inclusive Dojo: HDI training supports martial arts instructors in transforming training spaces

Darrell Mattingly, computer specialist at HDI, developed HDI's Adaptive Martial Arts training course, which teaches martial arts instructors about disability etiquette, universal design and how to adapt their teaching to be inclusive of students with disabilities. Mattingly serves as president of the Adaptive Martial Arts Association, which offers further resources for both students and instructors.

Call for UCEDD LEND ECHO Organizations

The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities is inviting organizations across the network to join the newly formed UCEDD LEND ECHO Collaborative. These monthly calls are open to any UCEDD or LEND program that is currently replicating or interested in implementing the ECHO model. The collaborative will allow UCEDD, LEND, and partner agencies to share successes, challenges, and strategies in using the ECHO model to build capacity throughout their programs supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

The IOD Welcomes Its First Director of Operations

On March 6, 2023, the IOD will welcome its first Director of Operations, Lisa Leach. Lisa brings new and diverse leadership experience in healthcare and human services to this position. The IOD Director of Operations will provide leadership and support for core functions across IOD projects and programs in the areas of HR, office management, staff development, and technology. She will work as a member of the IOD Management Team.

Jennifer Sulewski Named Associate Director and Assistant Research Professor at the Institute on Disability

The Institute on Disability is pleased to announce that Jennifer Sulewski, PhD, has been named Associate Director of the Institute on Disability (IOD), as well as Assistant Research Professor. As a Senior Research Associate and Project Manager at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at UMass Boston, Sulewski brings knowledge and an interest in community life engagement, evaluation, community building, and employment services and supports to this new and unique position at the IOD.

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center Launches Project STEER

The Ohio State University Nisonger Center is proud to announce the launch of our Project STEER (Stakeholders Engaged in Early Intervention Research) website! The website contains a variety of resources related to early autism intervention research and consultation, including an early autism intervention Research Agenda created by our stakeholder teams, and a Consultation Workbook to guide researchers in their efforts to collaborate effectively with autism community stakeholders.

UCCEDD Receives NIDILRR Grant to Study Ableism

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) has awarded the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDD) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) a Field Initiative (FI) Project Grant to study the impacts of internalized, interpersonal, and systemic ableism in healthcare services and systems.

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (TN IDDRC, UCEDD, LEND) Celebrates Special Education Professor Erik Carter's Student Mentorship, Community Impact Ahead of Departure

The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) and the Vanderbilt Peabody College Department of Special Education held a joint farewell celebration on Dec. 14 to give their best wishes to longtime faculty member Erik Carter, Ph.D., as he prepares for the next phase of his career. Elise McMillan (gray haired woman wearing a white suit) hands a framed painting to Erik Carter (a tall man with salt and pepper hair and beard wearing a plaid button-down and khaki pants.)

Iowa's UCEDD Leads EPSDT Shared Language Initiative

The Care for Kids grant program team at Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD, Iowa's UCEDD) is leading a Shared Language Initiative to support the work of the state's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) interagency stakeholder workgroup. The Shared Language Initiative is intended to develop a list of common terms and concepts to be used by our stakeholder workgroup and agencies to make it easier for patients, families, and providers to better understand EPSDT benefits and how they differ from other insurance benefits like CHIP. The Initiative will also support statewide efforts to promote EPSDT and its services, and meet EPSDT goals.

Georgetown UCEDD Celebrates Inclusive Schools Week

During the week of December 5-9, 2022, the Georgetown University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (GUCEDD) celebrated and participated in Inclusive Schools Week in the District of Columbia (DC). Inclusive Schools Week celebrates the progress schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to students with disabilities. GUCEDD became involved in this celebration through the encouragement of community partners, Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services (DRDC) and Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE).

Ruby Natale (UM UCEDD) is Recipient of the Micah Batchelor Award for Excellence

Ruby Natale, PhD, PsyD was honored with the 2022 Micah Batchelor Award for Excellence in Children's Health Research. As a recipient of this award, Dr. Natale's work will be focused on Improving the Social-Emotional Development and Resiliency of At-Risk Preschool Children in Childcare Centers using a Mobile Application. This award will allow her team to fulfill an important need in the community which is to improve early childhood resiliency and reduce problematic behaviors within early care and education centers through the use of a mobile app, Jump Start on the Go.