Month: March 2025

CT LEND 2025 – 2026 Applications are Open!

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The Connecticut Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CT LEND) is one of 60 LEND programs across the country that focuses on the training of future leaders from a wide variety of professional disciplines in order to improve the health care delivery system for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.

CT LEND provides training to graduate students from audiology, nursing, psychology, public health, school psychology, social work, special education, speech language and hearing science. Self-advocates, family members and community members also participate in one year of course work, community practicum assignments, advocacy and research. The training program requires the completion of coursework (9 credit hours), research studies, advocacy projects and community practicum assignments with infants, children and youth and adults with developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families, for over 700 hours a year.

Advocacy Rally at the Connecticut State Capitol

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March 18th was Medicaid Day of Action, a nationwide event that urged us to stand up and speak out against proposed Medicaid cuts that would devastate our most vulnerable neighbors. Thousands rallied at the Connecticut State Capitol to raise their voices, because it’s not about numbers — it’s about people.

One powerful voice, Melissa Thompson, who relies on Medicaid for her disability needs, reminded us of what’s at stake. CT State Comptroller Sean Scanlon said it best: “They are using their agendas to take our country back to a time when we let the most vulnerable in our society be completely and utterly neglected.”

With the 60th anniversary of Medicaid approaching, the urgency is clear. Congress is proposing $80 billion in cuts — that’s $880 million lost for Connecticut, threatening healthcare for 900,000 CT residents, including pregnant people, seniors in nursing homes, and individuals with disabilities — our friends, family, and loved ones.

Thank you to Rep. Joe Courtney, Rep. John Larson, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, Lt Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Governor Lamont — we need your continued leadership now more than ever. We’re counting on you.

New Study Finds Gap in Tools Assessing Emotional Well-Being in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

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A new study from the UConn Neag School of Education has found significant gaps in how emotional well-being is measured in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

The authors explored which areas of emotional well-being are assessed in individuals with intellectual disabilities. They found that most items assessing emotional well-being only focused on the quality of everyday experiences or life satisfaction and few items focused on the ability to pursue goals, which is a well-being component linked to better long-term outcomes.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

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March is 31 days. But having a disability? 24/7, 365.

The UConn UCEDD is excited to kick off March supporting the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities’ Developmental Disabilities Awareness month theme, “We’re Here All Year.” Community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day—not just in March.

Join us in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities across the state of Connecticut through advocacy, empowerment, and inclusion.