CT LEND

08/29/2025

✨ LEND Fridays are back!

Today we kicked off the 2025–2026 year by welcoming our new CT LEND trainees 🎉

They learned about program expectations and heard inspiring advice from past trainees during a Q&A panel. We can’t wait to see all they’ll accomplish this year! ✏️

08/29/2025

We are excited to welcome our new CT LEND Trainees! 🌟

This amazing group of future leaders will spend the year building skills in advocacy, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve the lives of children with developmental disabilities and their families

08/29/2025

📣Welcome 2025-2026 CT LEND trainees!

We are SO excited for another school year of learning, collaboration, presentations, and more! ✏️✨

08/22/2025

Did you know there are 60 LEND programs? 📜

🌟One in every state—and we’re proud to be the only LEND program in Connecticut!

🗓️We welcome our 2025-2026 LEND trainees one week from today and we can’t wait!

08/19/2025

📜 Did you know?

There are approximately 4,000 trainees accepted into a LEND program nationwide in any given academic year. LEND trainees aren’t just graduate students, but also family members and community members, too! 🌟

08/18/2025

🌟ONE WEEK until we welcome our 2025-2026 LEND trainees!

In anticipation of welcoming our new cohort, here’s a throwback interview with former 2023-2024 LEND trainee, Denzel Closs, sharing the highlights of his LEND experience!

08/14/2025

📜 Did you know?

LEND traces back to efforts from the Children's Bureau in the 1950s? A little bit of LEND history for today’s fun fact! ✨🔍

08/12/2025

We’re counting down the days until we open our doors to welcome our 2025-2026 LEND trainees! 🗓️

Until then, enjoy some fun facts about LEND!
🌟 Did you know CT LEND trainees are from a variety of disciplines?
Our trainees include graduate students from disciplines like audiology, public health, social work, and more!

08/11/2025

A key U.S. Senate panel rejected a Trump administration push to make major changes to IDEA and defund some disability programs, but significant uncertainty remains, advocates say.

06/25/2025

Do you believe in the power of disability mentorship? Be a Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) Coordinator! Your workplace, university, or community organization can host a DMD event to give young people and students with disabilities in your area the support of a mentor. We do DMD because we know just how much community matters: young disabled people who have a mentor in the disability community often have better work and school outcomes.

To be a DMD Coordinator, you must attend one of two orientation meetings for new coordinators on either June 26 or August 19 from 4-5 PM ET. You can register for either meeting at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_1bXfQ25A72mLDDJ5o1DJqRHm1RVyCYMX4xsf7hk6YDKnRg/viewform

If you're interested in hosting a DMD event, or if you have any questions about being a DMD Coordinator, please email dmd@aapd.com.

Image description: Blue graphic with black, white and bright blue text says, "Be a coordinator for Disability Mentoring Day. Join a meeting on June 26 or August 19 from 4 - 5 PM ET.

06/23/2025

A recent US Supreme Court decision confirms that students with disabilities have the right to seek justice for discrimination in schools without facing legal barriers that don’t exist in workplaces, housing, or other areas of public life.

In a ruling with broad implications, the Supreme Court said unanimously that claims of disability discrimination at schools shouldn't be held to a higher standard than those originating from other settings.

05/28/2025

The Connecticut Department of Developmental Services shares the importance of direct support professionals for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Direct support professional positions can lead to a successful and fulfilling career in human services.

Learn more about positions at DSPjobsCT.gov.