News and Announcements

World Braille Day, observed annually on January 4th, honors the legacy of Louis Braille, born on this day in 1809, who invented the Braille system of reading and writing for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This day raises awareness about the importance of Braille as a tool for independence, education, and accessibility.

January is also celebrated as Braille Literacy Month to emphasize the significance of Braille in promoting inclusion and equal opportunities for people with visual disabilities. These observances highlight the ongoing need to create accessible environments and resources, honoring Braille's transformative impact on lives worldwide.

Each year, the Family Support 360 Center offers a Holiday Assistance Program to support families in need during the winter season. Your donations help provide winter clothing, toys that reflect their cultural heritage and identity, food baskets, and emergency supplies to families with children who have disabilities or special health care needs. Please consider donating through the OU Foundation to help fill gaps where federal or state funds cannot be used. Contributions may be tax-deductible. Thank you for your generosity!

The Center for Learning and Leadership and Oklahoma had a strong presence at the 2024 AUCD National Conference in Washington, DC, which centered around the theme, Stronger Together: Creating a More Inclusive World. 

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is recognized as a time to honor the contributions and talents that workers with disabilities bring to the nation's workforce and economy. The Department of Labor has made this year's theme: "Access to Good Jobs for All." 

Alison Barkoff, Administration for Community Living (ACL) Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging, recently announced that she will be leaving the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in early October. Since joining ACL on the first day of the Biden-Harris Administration, Barkoff has led the agency with a strong commitment to disability and aging advocacy, working closely with advocates and federal partners to enhance civil rights protections and improve access to essential services and supports to people with disabilities.

At the Center for Learning and Leadership | UCEDD, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Alison Barkoff for her leadership of the federal organization that plays such a crucial role in funding our work in Oklahoma through the UCEDD grant. Her dedication to advancing the rights and well-being of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities has made a profound impact, and we are thankful for her support.