Events & Webinars
YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL TOOLBOX
Back-to-school season asks a lot of parents, too. Parenting Special Needs Magazine has practical tools to help you feel more prepared, confident, and supported as the new school year begins.
Positive Exposure Gallery: Rare Disease Community Art Exhibitions
Positive Exposure Gallery asks, “What does rare disease mean to you?” through a series of rare disease community art exhibitions.
Rare Square: A Rare Community Art Exhibition
July 7 – August 14, 2026
Celebration: July 29, 5–8pm
83 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor, NYC
The Many Faces of Neurofibromatosis
The Many Faces of Neurofibromatosis by Rachel Mindrup, featuring the works of Creighton University medical students and art students.
July 7 – August 14, 2026
Celebration: July 29, 5–8pm
83 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor, NYC
Micro-Aggressions
Micro-Aggressions by Wendy Elliott Vandivier, whose autobiographical cartoons focus on attitudinal barriers and stereotypes regarding disabilities.
July 7 – August 14, 2026
Celebration: July 29, 5–8pm
83 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor, NYC
WEBINAR: Global Project ECHO on Epilepsy & IDD
Hosted by: AADMD
Date: August 5, 2026
Time: 10:30pm ET
Manila time: August 6, 2026, 10:30am PHT
Format: Hybrid event — live in Manila + virtual worldwide
Join AADMD's Global Project ECHO on Epilepsy & IDD for a unique international learning experience bringing together healthcare professionals, families, advocates, and community partners.
Epilepsy care is strongest when clinical expertise and lived experience come together.
Join AADMD's Global Project ECHO®: Epilepsy & Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) International Six-Hub Educational Series as we connect professionals, families, advocates, educators, nurses, and community partners from around the world to advance person- and family-centered care.
This session, hosted live from Manila, Philippines as part of the TUFH 2026 IDD/Autism/Integrated Behavioral Health Summit, will explore seizures in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the lens of one family's journey.
Together, we'll discuss epilepsy, autism, nursing care, community support, and the Filipino values of Bayanihan, Malasakit, and Kapwa that help shape compassionate care.
MEETING: ADHCE Monthly Zoom Meeting & Presentation
Hosted by: Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: 11:30am–12:30pm ET
Today’s Topic: EMBED Competence: Training on the Core Competencies on Disability for Health Care Education
Meeting ID: 862 2718 1069
Presenters:
Cara Whalen Smith, PT, DPT, MPH, CHES is a licensed physical therapist, public health practitioner, and a Certified Health Education Specialist with expertise in accessibility, universal design, program planning, implementation, evaluation, and community health assessment.
Zoe Wenk is a disabled woman experienced in disability advocacy and accessibility with expertise in intellectual and developmental disability, universal design, digital accessibility, and program implementation.
Susan M. Havercamp, Ph.D., FAAIDD, NADD-CC is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral health at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center.
Katherine Randle, MPH, is a disability health consultant who has been working in disability health since 2009. Trained at Gallaudet University, Columbia University, and the Ohio State University.
Our 2026 Annual Conference is now available for viewing for paid members under our ADHCE.org website resource tab.
NDSS & Trisomy 21 Research Society
Did you know that NDSS is a founding member of the Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS)? T21RS is the first international nonprofit scientific organization of researchers studying Down syndrome.
NDSS team members, including NDSS Board member Candace Whiting, attended the 6th International Conference of the Trisomy 21 Research Society in June. Our staff was thrilled to exhibit, moderate presentations, and interact with a wide variety of researchers and industry leaders. NDSS CEO Kandi Pickard presented The Charles J. Epstein award to Dr. Kaoru Takasaki, and the team was honored to host an appreciation dinner for 60 researchers.
National Council on Severe Autism: Authentic Awareness Went to Washington
Last week, NCSA families, advocates, and researchers gathered in Washington, D.C. for our Authentic Awareness Autism Assembly — a full day of training, capped that evening by an awards ceremony and film screening, and then a day on Capitol Hill carrying our families’ stories straight to Congress. Here’s a look back, an invitation to debrief with us on Saturday, and two firsthand accounts worth your time.
Scenes from D.C.
The Arc of Massachusetts: Healthcare Standards
An Act to Enhance Standards of Care for Those with Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
H.2242 / S.149, filed by Rep. Garballey, Rep. Barber, and Sen. Lewis
This bill would develop training opportunities for medical providers to improve their ability to diagnose, treat, and care for patients with IDD and autism.
Context
People with autism and IDD experience poorer health outcomes, lower life expectancy, and higher mortality rates than the general population. Outcomes are even worse for those with intersecting marginalized identities, including Black and brown individuals. This is often due to structural barriers in receiving appropriate treatment and quality care.
According to the Autism Research Institute, 78% of children with autism have at least one co-occurring mental health condition, such as depression and anxiety. Other comorbidities, such as epilepsy and G.I. issues, are also extremely common.
Many medical providers have not received adequate education in treating and caring for patients with IDD. A 2021 Harvard study found that only 41% of providers felt confident that they could provide high-quality care to people with disabilities.
The Bill
Establishes an advisory committee to develop statewide standards regarding diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with autism and IDD. The committee will focus on intersecting identities and will include representation from patient advocates, family members, state officials, and other stakeholders. The bill also requires that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services create a state plan that must include:
Continuing education requirements for healthcare providers to better understand strategies for working with patients with autism and IDD
Adopting standards to improve the assessment and diagnosis of autism and IDD during routine outpatient primary care examinations
Ensuring that continuing education requirements related to autism and IDD are part of state licensure renewals
Particular focus on emergency department boarding
The Impact
Healthcare is a human right, yet many people with autism and IDD face challenges accessing critical physical and mental healthcare. Providers don’t have the tools to appropriately support this population, leading to poor health outcomes. This bill aims to increase awareness about the healthcare and mental health needs of this population and includes concrete steps to help providers grow their skills.
For more information, contact Nora Bent, Director of Government Affairs & Strategic Partnerships: nbent@arcmass.org
WEBINAR: Decision-Making Authority: Exploring Sensitive Topics
Hosted by: The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL)
Date: August 11, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00pm CT
Cost: Free
Everyone has the right to make their own choices, but people with disabilities often face challenges and obstacles in exercising that right. However, there are strategies that people receiving services, support providers, families, friends, and others can implement to protect and promote self-determination.
In this free 1-hour webinar, Decision-Making Authority: Exploring Sensitive Topics, we’re equipping attendees with the knowledge, guidance, and tools to help ensure people with disabilities are ‘in the driver’s seat’ of their own lives. You’ll hear from a panel with a variety of diverse perspectives involving decision-making authority. The panel will share their insights involving sensitive topics related to relationships, money management, health/safety, consent, and more.
TOWN HALL: Addressing Health Outcomes for Individuals With IDD and/or Rare Diseases
Hosted by: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Date: August 12, 2026
Time: 12:00pm ET
Join PCORI for an information-rich webinar on the Cycle 3 2026 Addressing Health Outcomes for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and/or Rare Diseases (RD) PCORI Funding Announcement, which seeks to fund high-quality patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) projects focused on people living with IDD and/or RD.
During this 60-minute webinar, PCORI will walk you through:
An overview of PCORI, including what CER and CER-related projects we fund.
Details of this funding announcement, including both programmatic and administrative requirements.
Unique requirements for patient and stakeholder engagement.
PCORI’s Merit Review and Peer Review processes.
The application process and eligibility criteria.
Applicant resources PCORI offers, including ones specific to writing your LOI, submitting your application and the required application templates.
Additionally, PCORI program officers will be on hand to answer your most pressing questions. This Town Hall is well-suited for health researchers and scientists, healthcare professionals, research directors, academic institutions and other members of the healthcare community.
Note: For investigators interested in applying to this research PFA, we encourage you to reach out to us at pfa@pcori.org regarding your proposal to PCORI. Our program officers will be happy to respond or schedule a time to discuss.
Explore a Funding Opportunity on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Rare Disease
Join colleagues committed to advancing care for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or rare diseases at the Aug. 12 Applicant Town Hall. During this Town Hall, you’ll learn more about what is needed to develop a responsive Letter of Intent for the upcoming PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA) focused on IDD and/or rare diseases.
Special areas of emphasis for this PFA include exploring ways to improve access to patient-centered care, evaluating health system approaches, addressing caregiver health and more.
Register now to learn more about this PFA and determine whether your study idea is a strong fit.
WEBINAR: Parents & Autistic Self-Advocates: What We Wish Parents Knew
Hosted by: Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Date: August 13, 2026
Time: 4:00–5:30pm ET
What do parents of autistic children wish other parents knew? What do autistic people wish parents knew about raising autistic kids? Join us on August 13 from 4:00-5:30pm ET for Parents & Autistic Self-Advocates: What We Wish Parents Knew, a two-part webinar featuring these conversations back-to-back. Hear two panels explore the same topic from different lived experiences and see where we share, disagree, and build on each other.
The first webinar, from 4:00-4:40pm ET, will feature a panel of parents — including autistic parents — of autistic people sharing what they wish other parents knew. The second webinar, from 4:50-5:30pm ET, will feature a panel of autistic self-advocates — including autistic parents — sharing what they wish parents knew about raising autistic kids.
In these webinars, we will talk about:
Different perspectives on raising autistic kids
What helps autistic people thrive at home, at school, and in our communities
Lessons, advice, and experiences that can help families better support autistic people
This webinar is open to everyone, but we especially want to invite self-advocates, parents, caregivers, and allies to attend!
Register to join us on August 13 from 4:00-5:30pm ET. This webinar will be on Zoom and CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) will be provided. This webinar will also be shared on YouTube after. Please email all questions and accommodation requests such as ASL interpretation to dstrauss@autisticadvocacy.org by the end of the day August 6.
WEBINAR: Adventures in Education
Hosted by: National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
Date: August 13, 2026
Time: 1:00pm ET
Join us on August 13 at 1 PM ET for Adventures in Education. Paul and Val, along with their three children, Roake, Freja, and Ren, who has Down syndrome, are preparing for a multi-year global sailing expedition. The expedition is the platform for an educational docuseries that brings the world to classrooms.
Come learn more about this resource and the other educational resources NDSS has to offer to make the upcoming school year a success.
WEBINAR SERIES: 2026 Dementia Education Webinar Series
Hosted by: Second Wind Dreams
Schedule: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 1:00pm ET
CEUs: NAB CEUs available
We are excited to offer informative and educational sessions on a variety of topics on dementia in the 2026. A full listing is available to view and register for the upcoming months.
We are pleased to offer NAB CEUs! Need another type of CEU? We can provide a certificate of attendance and learning objectives for each presentation.
All webinars in the 2026 series will be at 1 PM ET the second Tuesday of each month. Registration and information will be coming soon. Please contact us at swd@secondwind.org with any questions.
WEBINAR: Promoting Dignity and Respect for Your Neurodiverse Patients: Health Equity Consideration
Session #3: Supporting Access for Everyone: What Your Practice Can Do Today
Hosted by: American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Date: August 20, 2026
Time: 11:00am CT
The AAP Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SODBP) is excited to launch a free, 4-part webinar series designed to equip pediatricians and other health care professionals with the knowledge and skills regarding optimizing healthcare for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families and reducing inequities they may face in healthcare.
Questions? Contact Robyn Wheatley: rwheatley@aap.org
WEBINAR SERIES: Cross-Systems Strategies for Supporting Children with Complex Needs
From Framework to Practice
Hosted by: ANCOR
Dates: August 18–20, 2026
Time: 1:00–2:30pm ET
Cost: Free
Sessions:
Session 1 (August 18, 1pm EDT): Setting the Stage: Why Children with Complex Needs Fall Through the Cracks
Session 2 (August 19, 1pm EDT): So Now What? Turning Framework into Action
Session 3 (August 20, 1pm EDT): Strategies in Practice: Provider Case Studies
Presenters:
Tyrome Launderville, Steering Committee Member, The Link Center
Stacy Nonnemacher, Director of Cross-Systems Strategies, NASDDDS
Nancy Thaler, Project Lead, NASDDDS