Many of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s researchers, faculty, staff, and students participated in the 2013 Conference and Annual Meeting of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) held November 17-20 in Washington, D.C.
The theme for this year’s conference: Promoting Inclusion in an Increasingly Diverse World, focused on the strengths and challenges of the AUCD network to address the growing ethnic, racial, linguistic, and disability diversity within the network and in the world.
From a preconference focusing on inclusive higher education to symposia and concurrent sessions on everything from genetics to inclusive religious settings, there can be no doubt that the work done at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is meeting the needs of diverse populations and is highly valued on a national level.
For more detailed information on Vanderbilt Kennedy Center representation at the AUCD Conference, see the list below.*
For more information about the 2013 AUCD Conference, including a full conference program visit: AUCD’s Conference webpage.
*VKC presenters are bolded
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Representation at the 2013 Conference and Annual Meeting of AUCD:
Inclusive Higher Education Think College Preconference: Collaborations Leading to State Legislative Activities
Susanna Miller; Barry Whaley, MS; Elise McMillan, JD
This panel explored Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee's experiences passing legislation that supports inclusive postsecondary education. Panelists provided an overview of their requests, actions plans, what worked, what did not work, and next steps.
Pre-Conference Workshop: Essential Clinical Genetics for LEND and UCEDD Programs
Tyler Reimschisel, MD, Robert W. Marion, MD; Karen S. Edwards, MD, MPH; John Moeschler, MD; Joann Bodurtha, MD, MPH; Janice Palumbos, MS
Competency in basic clinical genetics is essential for all healthcare professionals and should be integrated into LEND and UCEDD educational experiences. This workshop featured a team-based learning format where LEND Directors "flipped the classroom" to allow participants an opportunity to learn through interacting within small group, inter-professional discussions. The program featured modified case studies, a greater emphasis on genetic counseling, and a facilitated discussion of successful strategies to integrate genetics information into existing LEND and UCEDD programs.
Health Symposium: Health Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Lynne O'Hara; Elise McMillan, JD; Thomas Cheetham, PhD; David O'Hara, PhD; Deborah Spitalnik, PhD; Karen Edwards, MD, MPH
The symposium demonstrated how LENDs and UCEDDs are focusing on health care for adults and transitioning youth through their functions of research and evaluation, training and technical assistance, materials development and dissemination, and policy analysis and development to make a state impact.
Supporting the Lives of Adolescents with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities
Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy.D.; Erik Carter, PhD; Katelyn Borras, MS
This panel focused on evidence-based approaches for improving the social competence and connections of youth with disabilities. Presenters addressed (a) the PEERS school-based social skills curriculum for adolescents with ASD, (b) peer-mediated interventions for adolescents with severe disabilities, and (c) bullying and suicide ideation among adolescents with disabilities.
Partnerships in Employment: Systems Changes for Transition Aged Youth
Julie Christensen, LMSW, PhD Candidate; Erik W. Carter, PhD; Olvia Raynor, PhD; Beth Swedeen, MSW; Oliver Burnette
Eight states are receiving funding from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to address barriers to employment for youth with IDD. The Partnerships in Employment Project requires extensive collaboration and communication between state vocational rehabilitation, developmental disabilities and special education agencies. This panel explored current challenges and policy and practice outcomes produced from 5 of the projects and the implications for replication in other states.
Addressing Diversity in Backgrounds and Support Systems by Honoring Spirituality and Congregational Connections
Bill Gaventa, MDiv; Erik Carter, PhD; Tom Boehm, MA, MDiv; Derek Nord, PhD; Joe Timmons, MSW; Jenny Hatfield-Callen, MA
Addressing diversity in inclusive, community based services and supports means addressing the many ways that people with disabilities and their families receive supports. A primary natural support system for many is their faith community. In this session, four UCEDD members of the national Collaborative on Disability, Religion, and Inclusive Spiritual Supports described UCEDD initiatives to enhance those supports through training, technical assistance, research and service development.
For more information on the programming listed above contact courtney.taylor@vanderbilt.edu
Last Updated: 11/19/2013 1:55:05 PM
Go to the news and video index