The winter board meeting of the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) was hosted by the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) at the College of Education & Human Development. Taking place from Feb. 27-29, the event brought together seventeen board members from across the country, spanning Alaska to Puerto Rico. These experts in various facets of disability, including community inclusion, special education, leadership, cultural competency and self-advocacy, convened to address emerging trends and issues.

"This was a fantastic opportunity to share with the board and AUCD about the work we're doing in Nevada," Randall Owen, Ph.D., director of NCED and AUCD board member said. "Our state is so unique given our population density, and we are proud to have reached somebody in every county over the last year, and we look forward to highlighting our successes."

The gathering commenced on Feb. 27 with a campus tour highlighting the University's disability services. The board members had lunch with students receiving support through NCED and engaged in meaningful conversations.

Dean of the College of Education & Human Development, Donald Easton-Brooks, Ph.D., welcomed the board members at the afternoon presentation. During the presentation, the board members were provided insights into NCED's outreach projects and community service throughout Nevada.

"We are excited to host the AUCD board meeting and honored to engage with an organization committed to promoting inclusivity and supporting individuals with disabilities within our community and beyond," Easton-Brooks said.

The evening reception at the IGT Knowledge Center Rotunda brought together community partners and disability agencies, NCED faculty and staff, and AUCD board members. The subsequent board meeting, held at the Renaissance in Reno on Feb. 28 and 29, focused on addressing emerging trends, issues, and fostering communication within and beyond the AUCD network.

"It was so great to see everyone at the reception this evening," Owen said. "It's been a long time, since before the pandemic, that we were able to get so many leaders in the field of disability together, and I look forward to the chance to do that again."

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs. Network members consist of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), 60 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) programs, and 16 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRC). These centers are located across the country, and AUCD provides technical assistance and works with the federal government, including lobbying for extra funding.

The Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities serves as Nevada's University Center for Excellence in UCEDD and LEND. NCED positively contributed to people with disabilities and their family members by addressing issues at multiple levels, including direct service provision, community training, capacity building and systemic change. Although its work is primarily in the developmental disabilities field, NCED takes a broad approach and encompasses all forms of disability, mental and behavioral health, and state programs and systems that impact these communities. NCED also provides access to assistive technologies that empower people with disabilities to help families of children with special healthcare needs navigate healthcare services.