University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies

University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies We support the inclusion, empowerment and well-being of people with disabilities and their families.

We transform communities through our programs, education, service and research. University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies Social Media Sharing Policy:

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• UD’s student policy on Responsible Computing (http://bit.ly/h4U2JU) as well as the Policy for Responsible Computing at the University of Delaware (http://bit.ly/fZrCIq) apply.

• The Center for Disabilities Studies makes every effort to make information and media accessible on this page. We are not responsible for the accessibility of any third-party information or media that we display.

Congratulations to 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿, director of the 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 (𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗔), for writing about ...
02/28/2026

Congratulations to 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿, director of the 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 (𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗔), for writing about her work focused on strengthening communication between autistic people and first responders.

Alisha contributed to Issue 17 of the 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯, titled 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮.

She wrote about three impactful DNEA programs serving Delaware communities, including its 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, its 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 and its participation in the 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, a Delaware partnership that promotes safe, clear and respectful communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism and other disabilities.

You can read Alisha's work at https://bit.ly/4b48Wy6

Students in UD's speech language pathology (SLP) master's program aural rehabilitation class visited the 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃...
02/21/2026

Students in UD's speech language pathology (SLP) master's program aural rehabilitation class visited the 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗖) this afternoon. Students learned about, and had the opportunity to try out, some assistive technology tools used to help people with hearing and other disabilities.

Our two ATRCs, one in Newark and one in Milford, house an assortment of equipment, software and toys, from communication devices and items that support people with vision and hearing loss to modified eating utensils and textured playthings.

CDS is proud to announce we are now leading the Family SHADE (Support & Healthcare Alliance Delaware) project!Under the ...
02/12/2026

CDS is proud to announce we are now leading the Family SHADE (Support & Healthcare Alliance Delaware) project!

Under the leadership of CDS associate director Dr. Sarah Mallory and health promotion implementation coach Ashley Clark, Family SHADE will continue its mission of improving the quality of life for children and youth with special health care needs, and their caregivers, by connecting families and providers to information, resources and services; and advocating for solutions to recognized gaps in services.

We’re grateful for our invaluable partnerships with the Delaware Division of Public Health - DPH and the Parent Information Center of Delaware who help make the success of the program possible.

02/10/2026

𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗔𝗧) 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝘇𝗺𝗶𝗻 is back with her latest video! This month, Jazmin talks about an historic development in the disability world that will help her achieve her dream of working with students like herself.

It’s a win-win for Jazmin as she’s spreading the word about the importance of AT while being a positive role model.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗔 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.The Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA...
02/03/2026

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗔 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.

The Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA) will host a day-long workshop on autism and practices that can be used to support people with autism. The morning session will include content about disability-friendly language, the history of core characteristics of autism and general tips and considerations when supporting people with autism.

The afternoon session will provide an overview of evidence-based practices that are most effective when supporting individuals with autism including prompting, reinforcement and visual supports.

This event is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 and open to the public, though registration is required. The training will be held in room 132 at the CDS offices on Wyoming Road. Attendees may opt to join virtually, via Zoom.

To learn more and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/ywc5a6nt

Officially unveiled in August 2025, Delaware’s 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 may soon become part of state law.The blue envelope...
01/31/2026

Officially unveiled in August 2025, Delaware’s 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 may soon become part of state law.

The blue envelope is kept in a vehicle’s glove compartment and holds important documents such as a driver’s license, registration, insurance card, and relevant health or emergency information. Its blue color serves as a visual cue to law enforcement that a driver or passenger may have a disability and may not respond in a typical manner.

This program is a partnership among CDS, the Delaware State Police, the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police, the Office of Highway Safety and the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

If passed, House Bill 277 would require Blue Envelopes to be made available to anyone upon request.

Learn more at http://bit.ly/3Z9qNOo

CDS associate director Dr. Sarah Mallory moderated a LIFE Conference session called “Expanding Decision-Making Options f...
01/21/2026

CDS associate director Dr. Sarah Mallory moderated a LIFE Conference session called “Expanding Decision-Making Options for Individuals with Disabilities: Delaware’s Legal Support Choices.” Joining her were Ashley Clark, CDS health promotion implementation coach, self and family advocates, and representatives from Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. - CLASI.

Attendees at this year’s LIFE Conference have the opportunity to learn about different assistive technology devices than...
01/21/2026

Attendees at this year’s LIFE Conference have the opportunity to learn about different assistive technology devices thanks to our representatives from the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI).

CDS’s Dr. Beth Mineo, center director, Hannah Mennella, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialist and ...
01/21/2026

CDS’s Dr. Beth Mineo, center director, Hannah Mennella, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialist and Amy Lane, administrative specialist led the session “Assistive Technology Access and Use in Schools” at today’s LIFE Conference. They discussed laws relating to providing AT to Delaware students and how to help navigate getting students what they need.

LIFE Conference participants are stopping by to learn about our transition services for students with disabilities inclu...
01/21/2026

LIFE Conference participants are stopping by to learn about our transition services for students with disabilities including Spectrum Scholars and CLSC (Career & Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) Program).

Representatives from our Health & Wellness Unit and the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA) talk with peopl...
01/21/2026

Representatives from our Health & Wellness Unit and the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA) talk with people at the 2026 LIFE Conference.

01/16/2026

Here’s the latest project from 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗔𝗧) 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻, Jazmin! Her assignment this month was to “make a light-tech AT device, share about the process and explain what it does.
Enjoy the video and remember, AT doesn’t have to be expensive to be impactful.

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461 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE
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The University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies works to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families through education, advocacy, service and research. It promotes empowerment and opportunity, accessibility and inclusiveness, so all may fully participate in – and enrich – their communities.