The UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities celebrated the opening of the This-Ability art exhibit at UConn Health. The exhibit features art created by artists from Art Connection Studio (ACS), a vocational art program for people with disabilities. We were joined by Bruce T. Liang, M.D., CEO of UConn Health, Jeffrey Hines, M.D., Chief Diversity Officer of UConn Health, and Andre Rochester, UConn Health’s Art Curator and local artist, who spoke about the exhibit. Thank you to the artists, staff, and supporters who joined us for a lovely evening celebrating this beautiful artwork!

As part of a collaboration between Art Connection Studio (ACS) and the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UConn UCEDD), the new This-Ability art exhibit has been installed at UConn Health. This exhibit displays art created by members of ACS, including a 15 ft. mural painted by the ACS artists and Emida Roller, a renowned local muralist. ACS is a vocational art program that is part of Vinfen Connecticut, an organization that provides services to adolescents and adults with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. ACS teaches art skills to participants and helps them use their artistic skills to generate income. Artists are encouraged to express themselves through their art while building a long-lasting, supportive community with one another.

The exhibit can be viewed at UConn Health in the hallway connecting the Connecticut Tower and the University Tower. An opening reception will be held Thursday, April 18th from 4:30-6 PM, click here to RSVP for the reception!

 

Wednesday April 3rd is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day!

In schools, paraprofessionals assist teachers in a variety of ways, help students with special needs, and offer personalized support to ensure every student receives the attention they need and deserve.

Thank you to all of the paraprofessionals across the nation for all that you do to support the teachers and students!

The Resources for Persons with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability bill introduces a plan to establish a Transitional Life Skills College program that will help provide transitional tools and life skills development for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

 To read more about this bill, click here: https://search.cga.state.ct.us/2023/PA/pdf/2023PA-00137-R00HB-05001-PA.pdf

The Administration for Community Living has put together a new Fact Sheet to help keep the public educated about the core mission of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD). To view the fact sheet, please click here!

The Senate has confirmed Danté Quintin Allen as Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration at the U.S. Department of Education. Secretary Cardona issued the following statement:

“With the confirmation of Mr. Danté Allen as commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Department of Education is gaining a passionate advocate for students and individuals with disabilities and a proven leader with vast public and private sector experience. Mr. Allen joins our Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services after an impressive run as executive director at CalABLE, where he helped empower thousands of Californians with disabilities and their families to invest in themselves and their financial futures. I look forward to working together with Mr. Allen to provide individuals with disabilities and all students with equitable access to the education and training they need to find good-paying jobs; achieve economic security; and lead healthy, independent lives.”

To learn more about this, click here!

The National Council on Disability (NCD) has lost its Chairman Andrés J. Gallegos, 62, of Illinois, who passed away Dec. 1.

Chairman Gallegos led NCD, an independent, non-partisan federal agency responsible for making recommendations on national disability policy to the President, Congress, federal agencies, state, territorial, tribal and local authorities.

To read more about Chairman Gallegos, please click here.

On this day 48 years ago, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped (EHA) Children Act, which later became known as the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.

To read more about the Individuals with Disabilities Act, click here.