Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Navigator, a learning portal for maternal and child health professionals, students, and others working to improve the health of women, children, adolescents, and families, has launched a training program to build knowledge and skills in each of the 12 MCH Leadership Competencies. The MCH Navigator will conduct a monthly […]

Since its inception, the Daring to Dream Award has always reflected the artistry and vision of Maine artisans with disabilities. In 2002, local artist Lisa Raven designed a large commemorative stained glass display, and for several years, annually produced smaller reproductions for the individual awards. In 2012, the Center celebrated its 20th Anniversary with special […]

Every few years, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies recognizes individuals or organizations whose vision and leadership contribute to making the dream of inclusive communities a reality for individuals with disabilities and their families. The Daring to Dream Awards were initiated in 2002 as part of the Center’s 10th Anniversary celebration. The […]

On June 18, 2015, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) held a retirement tribute to honor founding Director, Lu Zeph, in conjunction with the Center’s 2015 Daring to Dream Awards. Spoken, written and video tributes were shared from friends, families, university colleagues, community, state and federal partners, legislators and […]

Letter from Liz Weintraub of Disability Policy for All Dear Friends: I am excited to share with you this week’s edition of Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All. In this week’s edition, I talked with Lu Zeph, the UCEDD director in Maine. She is retiring at the end of the month. I talked with […]

Over 100 siblings of individuals with disabilities, representing 24 states and Taiwan, Israel and Ireland recently gathered in Louisville, KY for the 2015 National Sibling Leadership Network Conference. The mission of the Sibling Leadership Network (SLN)  is to provide siblings with the information, support, and tools they need to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote […]

Self-advocates and Developmental Disabilities Network allies from six northeastern states recently gathered for a three-day meeting in Concord, NH. The partners are members of the federally funded North East Advocates Together (NEAT) Peer-to-Peer Connections Technical Assistance Project, representing self-advocacy organizations from Maine (Speaking Up For Us of Maine); Massachusetts (Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong); New Hampshire […]

CCIDS founding director, Lu Zeph, recently delivered a keynote on inclusive education at the 31st Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity in Honolulu, HI. In her address, “Inclusive Education: A Critical Element In Creating And Sustaining Inclusive Communities,” Zeph notes, “Inclusive communities are those where diversity, participation, interdependence, mutual respect and social […]

University of Maine trainees​ and community fellows​ from the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NH LEND) Program Partnership recently prepared ​a ​policy brief ​and met with ​Maine’s Congressional Delegation on​ the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965​. ​They were joined by colleagues from the Maine Developmental Disabilities […]

Thirty-four University of Maine undergraduates were recently honored for completing the 24-credit Minor in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies during a celebration at Wells Conference Center. (See gallery of celebration photos on our Facebook page.) Students completing the Minor represented six academic disciplines: Child Development & Family Relations; Communication Sciences & Disorders; Elementary Education; Kinesiology & Physical […]