Join the CT State Independent Living Council and the Supported Decision-Making Coalition for their Supported Decision-Making Four-Part Webinar Series! This informative series of webinars will be presented by Jonathan Martinis.

Webinar 1: Introduction and Discussion
Date: February 20, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Basics of Supported Decision-Making and discussion about how it works.
Register for this event here.

Webinar 2: Special Education and the Transition Process
Date: March 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Using Supported Decision-Making in special education and the transition process.
Register for this event here.

Webinar 3: Vocational Rehabilitation
Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Supported Decision-Making and its uses with vocational rehabilitation.
Register for this event here.

Webinar 4: Health and Lifestyle Choices
Date: April 3, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
How Supported Decision-Making can assist in making informed health and lifestyle decisions.
Register for this event here.

Happy National Preschool Health and Fitness Day! Teaching little ones healthy habits is so important for their physical and social development.

Need some ideas for physical activities for your preschooler?

The Special Olympics Young Athletes app gives personalized activities based on your child’s development and allows access to other health resources. Learn more about Young Athletes by clicking here!

Conn School of Medicine’s Dr. Linda Barry has been prestigiously recognized by U.S. President Joseph Biden with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). It is the nation’s highest honor that mentors can receive.

Dr. Barry is a professor in the Department of Surgery and the Department of Public Health Sciences at UConn School of Medicine, serves as associate director of the UConn Health Disparities Institute and associate dean of the Office of Multicultural and Community Affairs, and is a member of our Consumer Advisory Council.

To read more about Dr. Barry’s award, click here.

On January 4, President Biden signed the Think Differently Database Act (H.R. 670) into law. This bipartisan legislation—sponsored by Representatives Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) in the House and Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in the Senate—will create a comprehensive, national website database of support services and resources for people with disabilities in every state.

To read the bill, click here.

President Biden has signed into law the bipartisan Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act, or Autism CARES Act of 2024.

The Autism CARES Act is the most comprehensive federal law addressing the urgent needs of children, adolescents, and adults with autism. Over its 17-year history, this law has resulted in a significant increase in our understanding of autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities. The CARES Act is crucial to maintaining and improving the monitoring, training, and research programs focused on improving the lives of children and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, and their families.

Click here to read more about this.

AUCD Celebrates Congressional Passage of the Autism CARES Act! The Senate has officially passed the Autism CARES Act of 2024. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation is vital for sustaining and enhancing the critical monitoring, training, and research programs led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These efforts support children and adults with autism, individuals with other neurodevelopmental disabilities, and their families. Programs like Connecticut’s LEND and Learn the Signs Act Early are directly impacted by this important act. A heartfelt thank you to the Senators for their dedication and hard work!

Click here to learn more about the Autism CARES Act.

Exciting News! Bethanne Vergean, our dedicated Connecticut Learn the Signs. Act Early Ambassador, joined her fellow ambassadors from across the country in Atlanta this week for the annual meeting hosted by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

This inspiring gathering is all about sharing knowledge, building connections, and strengthening our commitment to early childhood development. We’re thrilled to bring back fresh insights and strategies to support families and young children here in Connecticut!

Earlier this week, faculty and staff from the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) participated in the 2024 Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Conference, held from November 3-6 in Washington, D.C.

During the AUCD Poster Symposium, UCEDD faculty member Dr. Tara Lutz and graduate assistant Holly Labrecque presented their research. Dr. Lutz’s poster, titled “UConn UCEDD’s Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health: A Follow-Up Evaluation,” provided insights into the outcomes and impact of the certificate program. Ms. Labrecque’s poster, “Accredited Master of Public Health Programs: A Scoping Review of Required Courses,” offered a comprehensive analysis of the curricula across accredited MPH programs.

The AUCD Conference is an annual event that brings together over 1,100 researchers, policymakers, practitioners, advocates, and students to promote innovative thinking in disability policy, research, and advocacy. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together: Creating a More Inclusive World,” emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing the rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Lutz serves as the Training Director at the UConn UCEDD and coordinates the Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health. Her areas of interest include integrating disability education into public health and healthcare training programs.

The Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health is a 12-credit graduate-level program offered entirely online. It uses the 10 Essential Public Health Services as a framework to study the health and well-being of people with disabilities and their families.

Participation in the AUCD Conference provided UCEDD faculty and staff with valuable opportunities to share their work, engage with peers, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on creating a more inclusive world for individuals with disabilities.

Today, we welcomed our new cohort of the CT Early Childhood Intervention Leadership Academy! Jill Isenberg and Ashlee Houle welcomed everyone and provided an overview of what to expect from the program.

Trainees also got to know themselves through the True Colors assessment, administered by staff member, Darla Gundler. True Colors is a great way to learn about your own personal leadership and learning styles, values, and strengths!

Mary Beth Bruder, PhD, gave trainees a history of early intervention and information about the current state of the field, defined leadership, spoke about action planning and individualized professional development plans, and concluded by discussing capstones.

​