Events

Empowering Youth Through STEAM, Surfing, and Self-Discovery
Dates: July 6 to July 31, 2026 | Location: Helen Keller National Center, New York
Ready to discover what you're capable of? HKNC's Summer Youth Vocational Program (SYVP)
helps youth explore careers through hands-on work experience at multiple job sites. You'll dive
into STEAM projects, experience activities like adaptive surfing, and develop self-advocacy skills,
all while discovering your strengths. SYVP is about exploration and possibility, giving you the
confidence and skills to shape your own future.
Program Highlights
● STEAM Activities: Engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math
projects
● Adaptive Surfing: Combine physical activity with social-emotional learning, self-determination,
and career awareness
● Motivational Speakers: Hear inspiring stories from leaders and changemakers
● Self-Empowerment & Advocacy Workshops: Build confidence, communication, and
self-advocacy skills
● Work Experience: Participate in real-world job tasks and workplace readiness training
Come to NY and join your peers ages 16-24 from around the country to learn skills that lead to employment success, and to experience what NY can offer you. Enjoy a boat ride, treasure hunt, talent show, swimming, crafts, Dave & Buster’s, mall shopping, bowling, BBQ’s and NYC! It will be 4 memorable weeks over your summer!

Monthly discussion on current state and federal public policies updates impacting people the I/DD community. 

Targeted Job Development (aka How to Know Where to Go to Look for Jobs That Make Sense).

We all know that individualized jobs are important for people with significant disabilities. But figuring out what would be good and then how to go find it can be overwhelming! This session will explore strategies of how to really apply the idea of personalized jobs. These strategies will lead the employment specialist to create a prioritized list of where to begin job development, who to contact and a name to get you in, what specific types of work you are seeking, and why you believe this company is a good fit for the individual. Network development, including who to invite into the conversation and how to do so, will also be included. These ideas are applicable in both urban and rural settings focusing the job development efforts on personal, direct relationships rather than impersonal "big box" strategies

We all know that individualized jobs are important for people with significant disabilities. But figuring out what would be good and then how to go find it can be overwhelming! This session will explore strategies of how to really apply the idea of personalized jobs. These strategies will lead the employment specialist to create a prioritized list of where to begin job development, who to contact and a name to get you in, what specific types of work you are seeking, and why you believe this company is a good fit for the individual. Network development, including who to invite into the conversation and how to do so, will also be included. These ideas are applicable in both urban and rural settings focusing the job development efforts on personal, direct relationships rather than impersonal "big box" strategies

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. Throughout the year and on the ADA Anniversary (July 26), the ADA National Network recognizes this landmark event and the important work to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Join us to celebrate, share, and learn.

This presentation will focus on how healthcare professionals and caregivers of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) can support them through the aging process, specifically when there are indicators of dementia present. Participants will learn about the aging process, including similarities and differences between neurotypical and neurodiverse populations. Special attention will be paid to differential diagnosis and diagnostic overshadowing of individuals with I/DD and dementia.

July 26, 2026 will mark the 36th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA says that employers and places open to the general public must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. But how does a person with a disability successfully request and secure an accommodation? During this session, hear from people with I/DD and other disabilities who have successfully received accommodations. They will share their lived experience and talk about how they did it to help the next person who might need similar access to a job, a building, a service, or an event.

Join us on Saturday, August 8th for an afternoon of cornhole and FUNdraising! Triangle YP Civitan is raising money for Special Olympics NC through the Over the Edge fundraiser! For each $1,000 we raise for SONC, we will send a Triangle YP member rappelling down the Pendo building in downtown Raleigh. The Cornament -- our annual cornhole tournament -- is our biggest fundraising event to support and raise awareness for an organization we love to partner with. There will be plenty of great drinks, food, Kona Ice, and a silent auction with tons of great items from local businesses!

Registration is $40 for a two-person team. The event begins at 1:00 pm and bags fly at 2:00 pm.

The first place team will be awarded a $200 cash prize and the runner-up will receive $100.

All proceeds from registration and the silent auction will benefit Special Olympics NC!

The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) has experienced important changes during the last year. Join us to learn more! The NCATP is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services to people of all ages and abilities in North Carolina. NCATP leads North Carolina's efforts to carry out the federal Assistive Technology Act of 2004 by providing device demonstrations, short-term device loans, and reutilization of assistive technology. NCATP promotes independence for people with disabilities through access to technology.

This session will be a Panel Discussion including the history of the Olmstead Decision, national Olmstead policy achievements, an overview and implementation update of the North Carolina Olmstead Plan, and an opportunity for self-advocates and panelists to talk about how the Olmstead Decision has impacted the lives of people in North Carolina and across the country.

We will hear from state experts, including Bryan Dooley, self-advocate; Deb Goda, former Director of NC DHHS Olmstead Section; Kelly Crosbie, Assistant Secretary of the DMH/DD/SUS; Corye Dunne, Director of Policy of Disability Rights North Carolina, and C. Talley Wells, Executive Director for NCCDD and former Georgia “Olmstead Case Lawyer.”

Join us to get ready to celebrate, learn, and share. In October 2026, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) will have its 81st anniversary! This month honors the important contributions people with disabilities make at work and reminds us that progress happens step by step, even during times of change. NDEAM is led each year in October by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. During this session, we will share stories and ideas to celebrate this important month.

Learn about evidence-based, effective strategies to manage constipation, encopresis, and other toileting issues in autistic individuals.

Work Together NC is a statewide initiative focused on the transition to and through adulthood for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The goal of Work Together NC is to help individuals find the community supports they need to transition and thrive as adults. This might include finding a job or a place to volunteer, post-secondary education, housing, social and recreational opportunities, and more. Presenters include Anna Ward, WTNC Director and NCCDD Member; Jacklyn Boheler, WTNC Project Coordinator; and Kenneth Kelty, WTNC Backbone Team Member and NCCDD Member.

The 45th TEACCH Autism Program Conference, "Thriving with Autism: Strengthening Neuroaffirming Practices,” brings together educators, clinicians, researchers, autistic advocates, and families to explore approaches that honor neurodiversity and promote authentic wellbeing. This conference centers lived experience, evidence-informed strategies, and collaborative solutions that empower autistic individuals to thrive in every environment — from classrooms and clinics to workplaces and communities.

The following topics and speakers will be featured at this year's conference:

Operationalizing Neurodiversity: Understanding the Implications of the Movement on Service-Provision
Ari Ne'eman, Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Management
Supporting Neurodiversity in Early Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions
Aubyn C. Stahmer, PhD, BCBA, University of California, Davis, MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Structured TEACCHing as Neuroaffirming Practice: Designing Classrooms for Autonomy and Engagement
Jenny Eigenrauch, MSRA, University of North Carolina, TEACCH Autism Program
Perspectives on Neuroaffirming Care from Autistic Individuals and Their Family Members
Co-Moderated by:
Christina Corsello Orahovats, PhD, University of North Carolina, TEACCH Autism Program
Cameron Hollister, MSW, BS, University of North Carolina, TEACCH Autism Program
Adult Autism Assessment: Understanding Strengths and Needs to Promote Thriving
Vanessa H. Bal, PhD, Rutgers University, GSAPP
Addressing Profound Needs and Affirming Human Rights in Autism Across the Lifespan
Giacomo Vivanti, PhD, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre, Department of Pediatrics
Improving Healthcare for Autistic Adults: Insights from Research and Practice
Christina Nicolaidis, MD, MPH, Portland State University, School of Social Work, and Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Medicine

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD/the Council) staff and members will present the Council’s 2027-3031 Five-Year State Plan. The Five-Year State Plan sets the Council’s priorities and guides how funding is invested to improve services, supports, and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) across North Carolina. The Council’s state plan was developed with extensive public input from North Carolinians concerned with IDD to help ensure that the plan reflects the needs and lived experiences of the I/DD community. The plan went into effect on October 1, 2026. Join us and learn about future Council investments and how North Carolinians concerned with I/DD contributed to how the Council will invest its funds for the next five years.