Please come join us for an intensive learning opportunity for families of individuals with disabilities age 14 and older
This training will help you plan appropriate steps toward your child’s future. This is an intensive four session learning opportunity, plus one additional session for follow-up*.
Dates:
Session 1 – Wednesday, October 30, 2019 — from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 2 – Saturday, November 2, 2019 — from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Session 3 – Wednesday, November 6, 2019 – from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 4 – Saturday, December 7, 2019 – from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Reunion in early 2020 – Date to be determined
Advance registration required by Wednesday, October 23, 2019
This training is free, however you will be expected to commit to attending all four sessions, plus the additional follow-up session.
Please register for this training at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/chartingthelifecourseFallSession
Friday, September 20 & Saturday, September 21, 2019
Central CT State University, New Britain
A conference designed to build the capacity of educators and other professionals, in partnership with middle and high school students with disabilities and their families, to improve secondary transition programming and services leading to successful post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
Click on the link below to register!
https://20-20-111.eventbrite.com
Early Bird Registration by September 1, 2019 – $35 for both days!
Tom Cosker, LEND graduate has been selected as a AUCD Emerging Leaders. Each leader requires actively listening to and respecting people with disabilities/disabled people and their needs and wants within our communities. Tom was selected for inclusion based on his contributions to the AUCD network, how he has demonstrated leadership, and values and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect for others.
To read more about the selection please visit https://www.aucd.org/emergingleaders/Connect/2019_Emerging_Leader_Profiles#tomcosker
Dr. Cristina Mogro-Wilson has been appointed Research Director at UConn Health, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). Dr. Wilson will provide interdisciplinary leadership to the UCEDD, university, state and nation by identifying, developing, and evaluating research initiatives that benefit persons in Connecticut influenced and affected by developmental and other disabilities. She will work on developing, directing and implementing a wide variety of research and evaluation activities under the UCEDD’s five year strategic plan.
A very BIG thank you to the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation for their support as co-sponsors of the Autism CARES Act. Senator Chris Murphy. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representative Joe Courtney, Representative DeLauro, Representative Hayes, Representative Himes and Representative Larson. Connecticut is 1 of 4 states that the entire delegation co-sponsored the Autism CARES act.
To learn more about Autism CARES Act:https://www.aucd.org/…/policy/2018_1001_cares_act_brief2.pdf
The UConn UCEDD staff and LEND students were invited to a bill signing of HB 7000 (PA 19-147) with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. Governor Lamont praised the students and UCEDD for all the work they had done on the bill. Governor Lamont told the students how proud they should be for making a real difference in the world for the disability community. Representative Linehan, who met with the LEND students at the Capitol, worked with them on enhancing the UConn UCEDD’s Emergency Preparation Flipbook to include a communication aid that would enhance communication between first responders and children and adults with disabilities.
The bill (found below) directs the UCONN UCEDD to expand and revise the communication toolkit previously developed by the UCONN UCEDD for use by emergency medical services personnel to address persons with disabilities during an emergency. This would enable firefighters, police officers, active members of ambulance services, emergency mobile psychiatric services personnel, and mental health crisis intervention services personnel to better meet the needs of a child, youth, or adult with disabilities when needing help. Included would be techniques for serving and interacting with those with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, and nonverbal learning disorders during emergencies when verbal communication may be hindered. The bill requires emergency personnel to carry the emergency prep flipbook and communication aid in their vehicles beginning in January 2020.
LEND Students featured: Alexandra Cascio, Leona Adamczyk, and Taylor Tarka. Michael Figueiredo, Jr. (not featured) also worked on the communication aid.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2019
Farmington – UConn Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UConn UCEDD) and Connecticut Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CT LEND) are pleased to announce the Connecticut General Assembly unanimously passed H.B. No. 7000 An Act Concerning Training for certain Public Safety and Emergency Services Personnel to enhance communication between emergency responders and children and adults with disabilities in times of crisis.
The bill would direct the UCONN UCEDD to expand and revise the communication toolkit previously developed by the UCONN UCEDD for use by emergency medical services personnel to address persons with disabilities during an emergency. This would enable firefighters, police officers, active members of ambulance services, emergency mobile psychiatric services personnel, and mental health crisis intervention services personnel to better meet the needs of a child, youth, or adult with disabilities when needing help. Included would be techniques for serving and interacting with those with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, and nonverbal learning disorders during emergencies when verbal communication may be hindered.
We are excited to collaborate with the Connecticut Legislature on this important work. We thank State Representative Liz Linehan, co-chair of the Children’s Committee, for her continued leadership on this legislation as well as our CT LEND students who met with legislative leaders to promote the importance of this toolkit.
Learn more: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB07000&which_year=2019
