Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU

04/22/2026

Happy Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day!

The West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) recently collaborated with the WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic to create a new AT loan library housed within the Clinic's location at the WVU Applied Human Sciences Building in Morgantown.

AT is any product or service that makes tasks easier or possible for individuals with disabilities or limitations. WVATS currently oversees a virtual loan library with thousands of AT devices. West Virginians can browse items online and borrow them free for up to 30 days. Items can be picked up locally or shipped elsewhere in the state. The new library at the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic will use the same virtual database to borrow items, but these specific items will be handled by the Clinic's team.

When the WVATS team visited the Clinic to deliver their devices for the new loan library, they were greeted by Molly Abitbol, assistant professor with the WVU Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders. WVATS and Molly have been working together through a multidisciplinary clinic to get important AT devices to clients. Specialists and WVU students at the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic gave the WVATS team a tour and discussed how the new loan library will benefit all involved.

Thanks to WVATS and the WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic teams for lowering barriers for West Virginians to access the devices that help them be more independent!

Browse the virtual loan library: https://vll.cedwvu.org/

West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS
WVU College of Applied Human Sciences
WVU CSAD

04/21/2026

Don't forget to join the Paths for Parents (P4P) program on May 16 at Veterans Memorial Park in Clarksburg, WV beginning at 12 noon for the Step Up for Down Syndrome event!

P4P will be hosting a SibShops workshop for kids ages 8-13 who have a sibling with a disability. These lively gatherings are a chance to meet other sibs who get it, make new friends, play awesome games, and share plenty of laughs. Along the way, kids also learn a bit about the supports and services their siblings receive in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Learn more: https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/xiq6tjmqwf/pages/sibshop

WV F2F and P4P Programs

Please welcome Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU to our Step Up for Down Syndrome Resource Fair! Not only will the CED will feature it's Paths for Parents program, but they are also hosting a at SUDS.
Learn more:
CED: https://cedwvu.org/families/
SibShop: https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/xiq6tjmqwf/pages/sibshop
Resource Fair Exhibitor: https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/xiq6tjmqwf/pages/sponsor

04/21/2026

Our friends at the WV Autism Training Center at Marshall University are offering a free, 4-part virtual series full of tips for parents and caregivers of individuals with autism!

The first session is next Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. and runs each week for four weeks with a new topic each time.

Free to attend, but registration is required.
Learn more and register: https://www.marshall.edu/atc/pes/

The WV ATC is pleased to announce an upcoming series of 4 virtual presentations designed to provide valuable information and tips to parents and caregivers of individuals with autism. The series begins on April 28th and will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 pm through May 19, 2026, and each session will address a specific topic. They are free and open to the public but do require registration. Please visit the following website or use the QR code in the attached flyer to access the registration website.

Registration available at: https://www.marshall.edu/atc/pes

04/20/2026

As Autism Acceptance Month rolls on, we want to remind you of the Family Virtual Speaker Series hosted by the Family to Family (F2F) program.

These casual webinars feature expert speakers discussing the topics that matter most to parents of children with special healthcare needs. Miss a session or want to explore previous topics? You can watch videos of previous webinars whenever is best for you over at our archive!

Check out topics like what to look for before an autism diagnosis, how to build your support network, tips for managing challenging behaviors, assistive technology, understanding sensory, mental health tips, and dental care for children and youth with special healthcare needs.

View archive: https://cedwvu.org/families/parent-tools-training/webinars-archive/

WV F2F and P4P Programs

04/20/2026

Every Kid Healthy Week is a great time to highlight the important intersection of mental health, physical activity, nutrition, education, and family engagement.

Several programs and services at the WVU CED relate to these topics. Here are just a few!:

- Disability Resource Library: Provides over 5,000 free-to-borrow educational and resource materials for people with disabilities, family members, and practitioners.

- Family to Family (F2F) and Paths for Parents (P4P) programs: Provide peer-to-peer support, connections to resources, support groups, workshops, and other opportunities through parent mentoring programs.

- Feeding & Swallowing Clinic: Provides multidisciplinary feeding assessments and service coordination for children aged birth to 18 who have feeding difficulties.

- IMPACT WV: Provides services for families and provides to create opportunities and address needs of children diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or who were exposed to substances in utero.

- Mental Health Services: Individual and group counseling, training, and consultation to support individuals to increase their mental well-being.

- WV Assistive Technology System (WVATS): Runs a loan library of thousands of assistive technology (AT) devices for people with and without disabilities to help them with daily living tasks, recreation, mobility, and more.

Learn more and browse services: https://cedwvu.org/services/

IMPACT WV
WV F2F and P4P Programs
West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS
Action for Healthy Kids

04/17/2026

IPSE Day is coming up on May 1!

IPSE stands for Inclusive Postsecondary Education. IPSE programs, like the WVU Country Roads program, help provide education opportunities for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities after they graduate from high school.

This photo collage from last year features CED staff members and trainees showing why they support IPSE programs. What's your reason for supporting IPSE? We'd love to hear it!

Stay tuned for more about IPSE Day!
Learn more about the Country Roads program: https://countryroads.cedwvu.org/



Think College

04/17/2026

April is Occupational Therapy Month! Occupational therapy uses everyday life activities to promote health, well-being, and independence.

We have several student trainees involved with multiple programs here at the CED. This year, we have had three occupational therapy students as trainees with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program!

Meet the trainees!

- Elizabeth Elmore is a graduate student in the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program. She is from Charleston, WV and graduated with a B.A. in psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Kentucky. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in research related to learning and development. Her goals with the LEND program include learning more about working with children with disabilities and to learn the skills to be the best OT possible.

- Zoe Pagliaro is from South Kingstown, RI. She completed her B.A. at Skidmore College, M.S in biology at WVU, and is currently a second-year occupational therapy doctorate student at WVU. She also teaches dance at the Artistry House.

- Olivia Twigg is a first-generation student from Berkeley Springs, WV. She is currently attending WVU Master of Occupational Therapy program with a minor in disability studies. Olivia has spent much of her time volunteering and working with organizations that support individuals with disabilities including PACE Enterprises, Project SEARCH, and Special Olympics. Through LEND, Olivia aims to gain a deeper understanding of how to better support and advocate for the needs of families of children with disabilities in rural areas of the state.

Learn more about all of the trainees at the CED: https://cedwvu.org/education/2025-2026-trainees/



West Virginia University- Occupational Therapy
Association of University Centers on Disabilities

04/16/2026

Don't miss this great Virtual Speaker Series webinar coming up on Monday, April 20 at 11 a.m. featuring the co-founders of Key Learning Autism Center as they discuss Applied Behavior Therapy!

These sessions are always free to join. Can't make the session? These are always archived on our website and YouTube channel!

Register for Monday's webinar: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/NMMwSGZgSUutQJrEy-_tRQ #/registration

Join us for our upcoming Virtual Speaker Series where we welcome Key Learning Autism Center to discuss ABA Therapy.

Register here: https://wvumdtv.zoom.us/meeting/register/NMMwSGZgSUutQJrEy-_tRQ

04/16/2026

The WVU CED has partnered with the WV STEPS Center to expand training opportunities for WVU medical students with a new learning tool designed to reflect the unique health needs of patients with Down syndrome!

Meet Gwen, a lifelike training manikin designed by Lifecast Body Simulation. Gwen features physical traits that can be unique to patients with Down syndrome: shorter stature, low muscle tone, almond-shaped eyes, and smaller hands and feet.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, approximately 1 in 6 children in the U.S. have a developmental disability. Adding to the existing 200+ hours of specialized training available through the WV STEPS Center, groundbreaking learning tools like Gwen will further prepare WVU medical degree (MD) students to provide the best care possible to patients with disabilities in West Virginia and beyond.

Read the full story: https://cedwvu.org/news/story?headline=wvu-center-for-excellence-in-disabilities-expands-learning-opportunities-for-healthcare-students-to-

WV Steps
WVU Health Sciences
WVU School of Medicine
WVU School of Public Health

04/15/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us for a great discussion during yesterday's CED Ability Grand Rounds!

Up next, we welcome Dr. Kate Miller from Johns Hopkins University as she presents on disability and aging in correctional settings. CED Grand Rounds are always free to attend and all are welcome!

We hope you'll join us on May 12 at 2 p.m. EST for this virtual session!

Register: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/cqlQaWQdRa-ixx-cbIEeBw #/registration

Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

04/15/2026

We're looking for new Center Advisory Committee members!

The WVU CED's Center Advisory Committee (CAC) is soliciting interest for new members to be appointed to the Committee. At this time, the Committee is looking for West Virginia citizens who have developmental disabilities as well as family members of people with disabilities. The CAC strives to represent and reflect the needs and expectations of all West Virginians with disabilities.

The Center Advisory Committee is an organization that is established by the WVU CED under the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (P.L. 106-402). The Committee's work is to advise the WVU CED regarding civil rights, needs, and services for people with disabilities that help assure their full inclusion in their communities. More specifically, the Committee advises the Center on the development and progress on its five year plan and to inform the Center on the needs of people with disabilities and the services provided by the Center.

For more information or to be considered for mentorship opportunities, please email Dr. Lesley Cottrell at lcottrell@hsc.wvu.edu.

04/14/2026

Jeremy Dixon from WV Traumatic Brain Injury Services is set up today at the Share the Vision Conference at the Marshall Health Network Arena and Convention Center in Huntington, WV!

Stop by to say hello and check out his presentation at 3:15 about improving outcomes for people with a history of TBI and substance use.

Jeremy is set up at the Share The Vision Conference! If you’re attending, make sure to stop by his table or listen in on his presentation at 3:15 on improving outcomes for those with traumatic brain injury and substance use.

Community Connections, Inc.
Hope in Action Alliance, Inc.
Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery