Wheelchair User --> U.S. Senator?

 

June 16, 2026 - View in browser

PRODUCTS Bowhead Nano Travel Chair: Reviewed Bowhead’s new ultraportable Nano has the potential to change the way many wheelchair users travel, much like the company’s line of high-end handcycles changed adaptive outdoor recreation. Weighing under 10lbs and quickly folding to fit in your lap, the Nano is compact enough to serve as a lightweight shower chair or an airplane aisle chair. Arielle Rausin, a T11 paraplegic and manual wheelchair user, recently tested the Nano. Click the headline for her full review and watch an Instagram short of her testing it. A Safe, Effective Resuable Catheter System What if you took a handful of the best features from premium catheters and put them into a catheter that came with a small, portable base that allowed you to easily clean, disinfect and reuse the catheter? That’s the idea behind Aurie, a reusable intermittent catheter system that is looking to disrupt and improve the way users get and use intermittent catheters. Earlier this year, Aurie became the first reusable catheter system to receive FDA approval and we talked with the system’s designer to see what users can expect. POLITICS Meet the Wheelchair User Fighting for Iowa's Open Senate Seat On June 2, Josh Turek, a manual wheelchair user with Spina Bifida and Paralympic gold medalist, won the Democratic primary for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat. The upcoming Senate race is one of the most high-profile races in the country, with many analysts forecasting that Turek has a real chance to contest the Senate seat in what has been a Republican stronghold. Read more about how Turek is leaning into his disability to connect with working-class voters in Ian Ruder’s recent Q&A with the Senate hopeful. ADVOCACY How Wheelchair Users' Repair Stories Moved a Congresswoman to Act Next week, at the 2026 Roll on Capitol Hill, over 100 wheelchair users from around America will meet virtually with their elected representatives to advocate for policies critical to the disability community. One of those policies is a bill to eliminate the need for prior authorization for wheelchair repairs for all Medicare Advantage recipients. Ian Ruder writes how the bill might never have seen the light of day if not for the efforts of members of SCIboston. DAY IN THE LIFE Jarom Hlebasko, GIS Manager and Wheelchair Cushion Company Co-Owner Jarom Hlebasko already had a job he loved and a family that kept him plenty busy, but that didn’t stop him from adding another major responsibility. When the company that made the wheelchair cushion he depended on went out of business, he bought the company. Hlebasko, a C5 quadriplegic, shares what a typical (busy) day in his life looks like. PRO TIPS Roll Out and Garden Summer officially arrives this week, and what better way is there to enjoy it than spending some hours rolling around your garden soaking up the sun? If you haven’t planted your summer veggies yet or you’re not sure how to plantmaxx as a wheelchair user, Paula Larson’s 2018 feature has you covered.

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Registration is Now Open! | NADD 2026

 

Your Registration Starts Here! NADD is pleased to announce that the 43rd Annual Conference will be held October 7-9, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and registration is officially open! Registration is Live! Join professionals, practitioners, researchers, and advocates from across the field for an engaging event focused on advancing services and supports for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Why Attend? The NADD Conference offers valuable opportunities to: • Learn from leading experts and thought leaders • Explore innovative practices and emerging research • Maximize your participation and earn a significant number of continuing education credits during your attendance • Network with peers and multidisciplinary professionals • Share ideas, resources, and real-world strategies Whether you are a clinician, direct support professional, administrator, educator, researcher, or family advocate, the NADD Conference provides practical insights and meaningful connections that support your work year-round. ⏰ Early Bird Deadline: July 1! Don't miss your chance to save on registration for the 2026 NADD Annual Conference! Register by July 1 to lock in the early bird rate. Current NADD members save even more with exclusive member pricing. Not yet a member? There's no better time to join! Register Today Program-at-a-Glance Location & Lodging Get Excited About Pittsburgh! The 43rd Annual Conference will be held at the Omni William Penn, located in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. Accommodations are available at a discounted rate of $235/ night + tax. Booking Deadline: September 14, 2026 Book Your Room Important Continuing Education Information At this time, the planners and CE Instructors disclose no relationships within the past two years with ineligible companies that produce, market, resell, or distribute health care goods or services consumed by or used on patients. To review additional important continuing education compliance and accreditation information, including the event’s learning outcomes, grievance processes, and instructor contact information, please visit this page. About Us NADD is now considered the leader in education, consultation, and training related to intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. NADD influences policies at the national, state, and local levels leading to more community-based, whole-person treatment for the mental health needs of those with IDD. NADD continues to host annual conferences, publish the most up-to-date research, and hold professionals to the highest quality of supports.   With the support of our members, partners and volunteers, NADD is able to provide a network for continued advancement of research and quality supports for people experiencing intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. To become a member of this network and community, join us via the link below. Join NADD www.thenadd.org

NADD Annual Conference | Delaney Event Management 28 Walnut Street Suite 230 | Williston, VT 05495 US