AAIDD Seeks Proposals From Community Service Providers for its 2027 Conference

 

AAIDD 151st Annual Meeting June 28-30, 2027 Atlanta, GA

This year, AAIDD celebrates its 150th anniversary and we pause to reflect on the extraordinary influence of the community service providers in building community connections for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).   For our 151st Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, our theme is Cultivating Belonging Through Social Inclusion. At the heart of social inclusion is how we all participate in the communities of our choosing and the relationships that we build through our engagement. The result? A deep and enduring sense of belonging.    Community service providers are essential drivers for belonging for millions of people with IDD. They do the real work of connecting people to community on a daily basis. Community service providers have developed expertise about what and doesn't work and have created durable, evidence-based best practices in our field.    This year, in addition to seeking scholarly proposals, AAIDD seeks proposals from community service providers that are aligned with the 2027 AAIDD conference theme.   For those who have never submitted a proposal to an AAIDD conference, or who haven’t done so in some time, a number of new resources have been created:  Pro Tips and Resources for Creating a Successful Proposal  Community Providers: Submitting AAIDD Conference Proposals (video, 7:24). Three virtual Proposal Writing workshops will be hosted to provide individualized guidance and support about writing proposals. Workshops will be held on October 7, October 28, and November 18 at 4:00pm EST. Register here.   We look forward to learning from you! Sarah Hall, Chair, AAIDD Conference Program   Not quite sure? Have questions about submitting a proposal? We're here to help. David Ervin, dervin@makomlife.org Anthony Rodriguez, rodriguez@providence.edu

Register today for AUCD’s 2026 Conference!

 

November 8-11 | Washington, D.C. Register for AUCD 2026

We welcome AUCD Network members, non-network organizational partners, experts from all across the disability field, individuals with disabilities, family members, students, and trainees to learn and grow together during this exciting event. Whether you're a newcomer to the field or a seasoned professional, the AUCD Conference provides countless opportunities to share with and learn from colleagues and peers.  Registration closes on Oct. 28th

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Book Hotel

AUCD's conference will take place at the The Westin Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. AUCD has a room block for $280/night for single or double occupancy.  The Westin DC has 23 ADA rooms, 10 of which have roll-in showers. All of the hotels' roll-in shower rooms are in AUCD's room block. Room block closes on October 16th

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Presenter Corner

The AUCD Conference provides opportunities for attendees to expand their knowledge, strengthen and enhance their skills, and build meaningful connections with colleagues and peers from across the network and beyond. Prepare for your role as a Conference presenter with key information, resources, and guidance below. Review participation expectations, learn about session formats, submit your presentation materials, and find information about supporting full participation and shipping materials to the hotel. Session Types Shipping to the Hotel Supporting Full Participation Uploading Materials to the Portal Download AUCD2026 PowerPoint

Presenter Corner

AUCD is excited to see and learn from you November 8-11 in Washington, D.C. Sign up to receive the latest AUCD Conference updates. Use #AUCD2026 to share about the Conference on social media!

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The SCI Advice You Wished You’d Received

 

Chapter Leadership Meeting 2026 For the first time since 2023, United Spinal chapter leaders from across the country were together in one room. For two days, leaders swapped ideas and resources, worked on how the national organization and our chapters can support each other, and learned about adaptive fitness and recreation at Lakeshore Foundation’s world-class facility. Thank you to Lakeshore Foundation for hosting us, to our sponsors, who made the meeting happen, and to our chapter leaders, who traveled across the country to join us and share their endless commitment to wheelchair users in their communities. Stronger Together in Nebraska Before Nancy Berg and Diane Ulmer started the Nebraska chapter of United Spinal four years ago, they were on separate missions to create a community for people with spinal cord injuries in Nebraska. Berg, a wheelchair user, and Ulmer, an occupational therapist at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, both saw the need for connection and support. They teamed up after meeting through Berg’s Instagram page (@accessible402) and planned their collaboration. “It was intimidating,” says Ulmer, vice president of the Nebraska chapter. “I had tried to start the chapter a couple of times and I was like, ‘oh, this is too much to do alone.’ Nancy was already trying to network people by having dinners and starting a women’s support group. Collectively it felt like, ‘oh wow, this is bigger than me now. We both have the same vision, let’s do it. Let’s jump in.’” Read more of their story. Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month One of the most-asked questions in the spinal cord injury community is “What’s the best advice you wish someone had given you when you were injured?” New Mobility writers have been answering this question since the magazine’s founding in 1989. As we celebrate SCI Awareness Month, we thought it would be fun to dig through the archive and highlight some of the most memorable answers and advice shared in our stories. Like this advice, from Topher Downham (pictured), a C6-7 quad: “Hang out with people who push you past your limits. A neighbor of mine was a seasoned para and would not let me just sit on my laurels, like how I couldn’t get into his truck. He would gently taunt me: ‘Oh the poor little quad,’ ‘I can’t do this.’” “We figured it out together, eventually using a pillow on the ledge of his truck so I could transfer from my chair to the ledge, then up to the seat. He and I took long road trips together, and it was a blast.” For more advice from Topher and other memorable answers, read here. Celebrating 80 Years! We went back to our roots in New York City last week and celebrated the legacy of United Spinal alongside staff, members and supporters. Wandercraft also showed a glimpse into the future and unveiled their new exoskeleton, Eve. "United Spinal continues to drive the vision and mission set forth by four veterans 80 years ago. We want to make sure that all community members have the opportunity and support to define their own lives no matter what challenges they face," says Matt Castelluccio, CEO of United Spinal Association, in recognition of the organization's 80th anniversary. Please help us continue our mission for the years to come. Donate today. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program If there was ever a right moment to invest in your business, it is now. United Spinal and National Disability Institute have partnered with Verizon to put free resources, coaching and community directly in your hands through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program. No cost. Click to sign up. Events Get connected with our free virtual events! Join the conversation — there's something for everyone. Click for more information and to register: • Adaptive Rec Talks • Advocacy Live • Empowering Parental Caregivers • Resource Center Live • Aging with a Disability • Newly Injured Spinal Cord Injury Support Group • Rolling With Pride • Social Hour • Walking Rollers • Work Readiness Program • Women with MS Connect  View All Events

Updated Meet & Greet Hours with AUCD Executive Director

 

Dear AUCD Network Members, Thank you to everyone who has joined me for our virtual office hours over the past few weeks. It has been so nice to meet members of the network, hear about your work, and begin getting to know the people and communities that make AUCD such a special organization. We have two sessions remaining, and I hope you will be able to join us for one of them. Whether you have a specific question, want to share what is happening at your center, or simply want to say hello, I look forward to continuing these conversations. Please note that the final session has been rescheduled from October 13 to October 20. Session 3: Tuesday, October 6, 9:30–10:30 a.m. ET https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82764773113 Session 4: Tuesday, October 20, 4–5 p.m. ET https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84955861088 It has been wonderful meeting so many of you already, and I look forward to meeting anyone else who is able to join these final two sessions. I hope these conversations will be the beginning of continued opportunities to connect directly with me and with one another across the network. Thank you again for the warm welcome and for all that you do every day to advance our shared work. Additionally, I once again strongly encourage everyone across the network to attend the upcoming 2026 AUCD Annual Conference. Themed "Impact Through Innovation and Partnership," this year's gathering is fantastic opportunity to connect and collaborate. I will be holding designated open time during the conference to meet with network members directly, hear your input, and share more about our strategic direction. Details regarding the exact schedule for these informal conversations will be provided soon. Register for the Event: AUCD Conference Registration Page Learn More About AUCD: AUCD Main Website Sincerely,  Kimberly Knackstedt, Ph.D.  Executive Director  Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

BrainStorm invites young adult participation.

 

What does it mean to figure out who you are after brain injury? How do relationships change? What happens when life looks different from what you expected? BrainStorm is a monthly online group for young adults ages 18–29 to talk about the questions and experiences that come with navigating young adulthood after brain injury. Each meeting starts with a topic, but the conversation is shaped by the people in the room. Explore BrainStorm Why Is Sleep So Difficult After Brain Injury? Oct. 6 • 10 a.m. Join Dr. Lindsay Mohney for a special presentation as part of Thrive Together, BIASC’s weekly program every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Sleep challenges are common after brain injury and can affect energy, concentration, memory, mood, and daily life. Dr. Mohney will discuss how brain injury affects sleep, why quality sleep matters during recovery,  and practical strategies to improve rest. Explore Thrive Together Midlands/Upstate 2026 Caregiver Summit The Respite Coalition Upstate & Midlands Caregiver Summits provide encouragement, practical resources, and meaningful connections with others who understand. Choose the location that's right for you & register today! Upstate Nov. 6 • 3 — 7 p.m. Kroc Center Greenville   Midlands Nov. 21 • 9 a.m. — 2 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn - Northeast Join the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) for a half-day virtual symposium exploring the physical, cognitive, emotional, and relationship challenges that can follow a stroke. This virtual event is designed for stroke survivors, caregivers, family members, and professionals who want to better understand the many dimensions of life after stroke. Survivors & Caregivers: FREE Professionals: $75 individual / $150 group Continuing Education: 4 ACBIS CEs available with professional registration Register Now! Ready to become a Trailblazer? Learn More   Able SC and the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council are offering a FREE online Community Leadership Academy Trailblazers course for new and emerging leaders! This interactive, four-week course is designed for people with disabilities, family members, direct support professionals, and community leaders who want to strengthen their skills in leadership, communication, disability rights, and create positive change in their communities. Mondays, Oct. 12 – Nov. 2 6—7:30 p.m. Brain Injury Research Survey Help the Illinois Institute of Technology improve its quality-of-life research with a 20-minute questionnaire. Your response can help improve support services for brain injury survivors. Participants have the chance to win a $25 gift card. Participate in the survey.

BIASC Quick Links BI Survivor Resources Support Groups – Virtual and In-Person Thrive Together Tuesdays SC State Museum Accessibility Mornings 2026 Online BI Survivor Series Keep up with all the happenings on our calendar of events.

Community Sponsors enable BIASC to provide vital services and programs to individuals navigating life after brain injury. Find out how your organization can get involved. Heart of the Carolinas  •  Rosen Hagood Attorneys Larry Lucas State Farm Agency  •  Coastal Carolina National Bank   National Safety Council Southeastern Chapter Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Columbia