OHSU UCEDD Community Partners Council (CPC)

07/25/2025

URGENT!
The FY26 Budget Proposal calls for the elimination of all University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), like the OHSU UCEDD, as independent programs.

The President's proposal for the elimination of UCEDDs directly conflicts with federal law and will result in immense nationwide harm for people with disabilities, research institutions, and the disability workforce. This will have a serious impact on the current and future disability population.

UCEDDs have been supporting people with disabilities for over 60 years through research, training, and community services. UCEDDs are part of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), which has just launched a new advocacy tool to help you contact your representatives and ask them to fund UCEDDs and their important work. It has a message where you can add your thoughts on why UCEDDs need to be funded: https://aucd.quorum.us/campaign/133226/

[ID: A graphic with a navy-blue background, a yellow megaphone icon, and the AUCD logo. The text on the graphic says, "Contact your Senators and Representatives today and urge them to protect UCEDDs!"]

07/24/2025

July 26th is the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! OHSU UCEDD is one of 68 centers across the country that together make a meaningful impact on people with disabilities and their communities.

This year, AUCD is celebrating 35 years of the ADA! Our Network continues to work to fulfill the promises and advance the ADA for people with disabilities across the country.

In the last year, the AUCD Network has supported:

🤝 513,000+ people and organizations to receive technical assistance
🎓965,000+ people to receive continuing education
🩺177,000+ families receiving clinical services such as diagnostic evaluations for developmental disabilities, therapies, and more



You can learn more about our Network’s impact here: www.aucd.org/annualreport

07/24/2025

Congratulations to Peer Support Project Consortium member Tracy Rackensperger, whose work was published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section of the latest issue of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication journal!

She was an author on “Supporting meaningful participation in society by adults with developmental disabilities who need and use AAC: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions” along with David McNaughton and Lance McLemore: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07434618.2025.2504497

View a list of all the articles published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/iaac20/0/0

[ID: Tracy Rackensperger, a light-skinned woman with close cropped hair and glasses, wears a dark purple suit and sits in her power wheelchair smiling in front of a backdrop with the AUCD logo on it at the AUCD 2024 Conference.]



Communication First

07/22/2025

For the first time, the journal of Augmentative and Alternative Communication has brought together multiple communicators to share their experiences and views about research in one issue. Congratulations to AAC Peer Support Project Consortium member Tim Jin, whose article “Embracing change in AAC technology: the keyboard to my success” was published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section of the journal. Read it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07434618.2025.2508484

View a list of all the articles published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/iaac20/0/0

[ID: Tim Jin, a Korean-American man with a shaved head, sits in his power wheelchair outside next to a docked naval vessel. He is smiling at the camera, wearing a long-sleeved blue and white checked shirt.]



Communication First

07/18/2025

This , we have been highlighting members of our Peer Support Project Consortium who were published in the latest issue of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication journal!

Congratulations to Kevin Williams, whose article “Future of AAC technologies: priorities for inclusive innovation” was published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section of the journal Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Read it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07434618.2025.2513906

This is the first time the journal has brought together multiple AAC communicators to share their experiences and views about research in one issue. View a list of all the articles: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/iaac20/0/0

[ID: Kevin Williams, a Black man in a quarter-zip forest green pullover and glasses smiles at the camera.]



Communication First

07/18/2025

In his latest blog post "Advocacy Through My Eyes", Community Partner Council member and self-advocate Joe Basey discusses , including the difference between activism and advocacy and how people in the disability community can engage in advocacy through collaboration, policy work and community involvement. Read more: https://jbasey.wordpress.com/2025/07/06/advocacy-through-my-eyes/

Edited by Julie Langenberg I’m going to talk about the different parts of advocacy. I have researched the difference between being an activist and being an advocate. An activist is someone wh…

07/17/2025

Sign up to receive email announcements in the UCEDD Quarterly Newsletter! Subscribe >> https://ohsu.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_85QrS2HWYq4vNtj

[ID: Four young adults pose and smile with trees in the background.]

07/17/2025

URGENT!
The FY26 Budget Proposal calls for the elimination of all University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), like the OHSU UCEDD, as independent programs.

The President's proposal for the elimination of UCEDDs directly conflicts with federal law and will result in immense nationwide harm for people with disabilities, research institutions, and the disability workforce. This will have a dire impact on the current and future disability population.

UCEDDs have been supporting people with disabilities for over 60 years through research, training, and community services. UCEDDs are part of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), which has just launched a new advocacy tool to help you contact your representatives and ask them to fund UCEDDs and their important work. It has a message where you can add your thoughts on why UCEDDs need to be funded: https://aucd.quorum.us/campaign/133226/

07/16/2025

Congratulations to AAC Peer Support Project Consortium member Jordyn Zimmerman, whose article “Beyond access: the intersecting role of , literacy, and technology” was published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section of the journal. Read it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07434618.2025.2504499

Zimmerman was also an author on “Nothing about AAC users without AAC users: a call for meaningful inclusion in research, technology development, and professional training” along with Janice Light, David McNaughton, and fellow Consortium members Bob Williams & Grant Blasko. Read it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07434618.2025.2514748

View a list of all the articles published in the AAC Research: The Power of Collaboration section: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/iaac20/0/0

[ID: Jordyn Zimmerman, a woman with long, brown, wavy hair stands smiling at the camera. She is wearing a yellow sleeveless top.]



Communication First

07/15/2025

Celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a Concert presented by PHAME in Portland!

When: Friday, August 1, 2025, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Woodlawn Park, 6854 NE Claremont Ave, Portland, OR 97211

Learn more: https://www.phamepdx.org/events/2025/8/1/disability-pride-concert?fbclid=IwY2xjawLjivFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1Z3J3T2dDMmV0bXpEQW1QAR5dYvGxHiOnyaTfVr9BKQqM2kDp3fYVdCFoJqDYzbhs_blUrKfZNAHFfSD6aQ_aem_tys9LeLnyQK-p1mfGckfAQ

Chameleonica is hitting the stage as one of our opening acts for this year’s Disability Pride Concert!

This PHAME performance group is an EDM jam band that brings the party with Lo Fi beats, ear candy synths, and fully improvised jams. You won’t want to miss the vibes they’ll bring to Woodlawn Park.

For more info about the Disability Pride Concert, visit the event page: https://www.phamepdx.org/events/2025/8/1/disability-pride-concert

ID1: A colorful graphic on a blue sky background with cartoon clouds promotes Chameleonica as an opening performer for PHAME’s Disability Pride Concert. At the top, bold yellow text reads: “Disability Pride Opening Performer: CHAMELEONICA.” Below that is a music player graphic featuring a photo of several Chameleonica performers on stage with microphones. One performer in a black PHAME shirt claps while others look focused on their instruments. A speech bubble-style date icon reads “August 01.” At the bottom of the graphic is the text: “6:30–8:30 PM | Woodlawn Park.”

ID2: This colorful digital flyer features a retro-style design with a large boom box and maracas at the center. The background is a soft gradient sky with clouds and stars. Large bold text at the top reads “Disability Pride Concert.” Below, the flyer shares event details: Friday, August 1 from 6:30–8:30 PM at Woodlawn Park, 6854 NE Claremont Ave, Portland, OR. Performers include Conjunto Alegre and PHAME. The event is presented by PHAME and Summer Free For All.

07/13/2025

Assistive Technology Free Webinar!

Technology Solutions Training for Self-Advocates & Families: Learn about Assistive Technology, Adaptive Devices, and everyday items for independence. Find out about the funding process and more. Bring your questions!

WHO

Self-Avocates and People with Developmental Disabilities
Families, Friends, and Caregivers

WHEN

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 5:30-7:00-pm (English only session) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UUhxqLJ5TgK1FFbaD1Xazw #/registration

Wednesday August 20, 2025 5:30-7:00pm (with Spanish interpretation (con interpretación en español)) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oxCiYa4pTDCZ7ab71qDzuw #/registration

Click to register! A Zoom link will be emailed to you.

Community Vision Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities

07/13/2025

Tecnología de asistencia seminario web gratis

Taller de soluciones tecnológicas para personas autogestoras y familias. Aprenda sobre la Tecnología de asistencia, dispositivos adaptados y artículos de uso diario que pueden apoyar la independencia. Conozca cómo funciona el proceso de financiamiento y más. ¡Traiga sus preguntas!

¿Quién?

Autogestores y personas con discapacidades del desarrollo

Familias, amistades y cuidadores

¿Cuándo?

Martes, 29 de julio, 2025 5:30-7:00-pm (Sesión en inglés) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UUhxqLJ5TgK1FFbaD1Xazw #/registration

Miércoles, 20 de agosto, 2025 5:30-7:00pm (con interpretación en español) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/oxCiYa4pTDCZ7ab71qDzuw #/registration

¡Haga clic para registrarse! Recibirá un enlace de Zoom por correo electrónico.

Community Vision Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities