University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies

11/13/2025

The Career and Life Studies (CLSC) and Spectrum Scholars programs hosted an annual homecoming tailgate last week! 🏈

Students, alumni, parents, staff, and friends came together to share food, fun and conversation before the Blue Hens’ exciting homecoming victory.

A special shoutout to our CLSC Alumni Coordinator for making it all happen! 💙💛

11/06/2025

Early bird registration ends tomorrow. Sign up today!

Many students with disabilities can benefit from assistive technology (AT). AT is anything that helps a person learn, communicate, or complete everyday tasks more easily.

Join us for an upcoming session on January 21st at the 2026 LIFE Conference where we’ll share a brand-new resource guide designed to help students, families, and schools ensure learners have the AT they need to succeed!

✅ Learn what state and federal law says about AT in schools
✅ Understand how to identify the AT a student may need
✅ Learn how AT fits into an IEP
✅ Discover how AT supports learning and independence
✅ Make sure AT continues to work well for the student

🎤 You’ll also hear directly from a former student who will share his personal journey using AT — and the positive impact it has had on his education and life.

✨ Empowering students with the right technology can unlock opportunity, independence, and growth. Don’t miss it and Register today at www.lifeconferencede.org

10/31/2025

While today marks the end of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Month, our AAC resources are available 12 months a year!

We have almost 600 communication devices, including low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech tools, as well as communication apps and software in the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) lending library.

We also have a variety of alternative access technology, including head trackers, and eye trackers, as well as switches, and device accessories to help individuals efficiently use the communication devices they need. Any Delawarean, including professionals who work with Delawareans, can borrow from our library.

For more information, people can contact their local Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC):

New Castle: newcastle.atrc@dati.org
Kent/Sussex: kent-sussex.atrc@dati.org

10/30/2025

The Career and Life Studies (CLSC) Program celebrated its 16th annual Disability Mentoring Week (DMW) as part of October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Throughout the week, CLSC students connected with mentors for job shadowing experiences with professionals within their career interests.

These interactions provided valuable information and hands-on experiences. We are grateful to all the mentors who shared not only their time, but their expertise to support our students’ career journeys during DMW Week 2025.

10/29/2025

The Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA), in partnership with the Delaware Natural Resources Police, Delaware State Parks, and New Castle City Police Departments held another successful Practice Traffic Stop event last week.

The program allows autistic drivers and passengers to work with the police in a safe, friendly space providing an opportunity to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and improve communication skills.

Thank you to all who turned out and to our invaluable partners.

10/28/2025

Our Career & Life Studies Certificate (CLSC) and Spectrum Scholars programs were proudly featured last week at the annual State of the Art Conference in Syracuse, New York!

The event brought together professionals, researchers, students and advocates from across the country to share best practices in inclusive postsecondary education. Our staff had the chance to collaborate and exchange insights, while students took part in the Student Leadership Conference, gaining valuable tools and connecting with peers from multiple programs.

We’re especially proud of our team members who presented on a variety of topics, including:
• Building a Sustainable Peer Coaching Model for Inclusive Higher Education
• Cross Program Collaborations
• How to Make Friends Through Campus Involvement (Student Presentation)
• Supporting Students in Utilizing Native Accessibility Features in their Various Tech Devices

10/27/2025

With hurricanes still churning in the Atlantic and winter just around the corner, are you and your family prepared for natural disasters or other emergencies?

Join Pat Heineman, CDS Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist, as she leads a virtual webinar sponsored by the Parent Information Center of Delaware.

The event, scheduled for this Wednesday, October 29, from 11:30am to 1:00pm via Zoom, will cover several topics, including:

• Assessing personal risks and concerns
• Expanding your personal network
• Preparing a “Go Bag”
• Making a communication plan

Registration is required. Sign up at: http://bit.ly/4niU2I5

10/24/2025

Delaware Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) trainees took part in a workshop on effective communication today during their weekly instructional seminar.

The workshop included the “Five Tricks” card game activity, helping develop the trainees’ skills in leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and problem-solving.

LEND is an interdisciplinary training program designed to improve the health of children with disabilities and their families by providing graduate-level training to professionals, students, family members, and self-advocates, focusing on culturally competent, family-centered care.

Learn more about LEND at https://www.cds.udel.edu/lend/

10/23/2025

𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬

Do you want to see improvements in health care settings for autistic individuals? We can help!

Join the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA) for a 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 virtual training to learn how you can promote accessibility and inclusivity in health care settings for autistic people.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁: Facilitating Successful Medical and Dental Visits for Autistic Individuals
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Tuesday October 28, 2025, noon to 1:00 pm

The training is open to any community member interested in learning about ways to strengthen communication and trust among medical professionals, families, and individuals during their next appointment.

The program is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2sdbmph2

10/21/2025

𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻. 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬!

The next Live Practice Traffic Stop Program is Thursday.

𝗪𝗵𝗼: Autistic drivers and passengers of all ages are welcome. (𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀)
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: Thursday October 23, 2025 - 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm (𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲)
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Cape Henlopen State Park

The program provides an opportunity to build confidence, reduce anxiety, improve communication skills and learn practical safety steps in a low-stress live traffic stop. Drivers can also pick up a new Blue Envelope, designed to improve communication and safety during traffic stops for drivers with autism and other disabilities.

Presented by the Delaware Network for Excellence in Autism (DNEA), in partnership with the Delaware Natural Resources Police, Delaware State Parks, and New Castle City Police Departments.

The program is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 but registration is required. Limited spots are available.
For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/46lzHN8

10/20/2025

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗝𝗮𝘇𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆!

Jazmin is an Assistive Technology (AT) Champion, working with the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) to increase the awareness and use of AT.

Jazmin’s AT Champion video featuring her Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device comes at the perfect time with October being International AAC Awareness Month!

Thank you, Jazmin, for sharing your story.

10/16/2025

Our CLSC and Spectrum Scholars programs capped off Disability Mentoring Week with a day-long program called, “Leadership and Mentorship: Advancing Neurodivergent Talent.”

Presented along with the Neurodiversity Employment Network of Philadelphia in partnership with Nemours Children’s Health, the session was a celebration of partnerships, guidance and understanding.

Panels included first hand experiences from students, business owners, and neurodivergent professionals.

The day finished with recognition of key partners and mentors who give their time and talents to help students prepare for the future.