Home / News /
IHDD Director’s Note: Spring 2026
Dear IHDD Community,
Finally, the days are getting longer, and we can leave the office in the daylight! I know many of us feel renewed energy and hope as we move into Spring. As I’m sure you are aware, the Institute faces challenges as federal funding remains in flux. The good news is that our experience from the past budget cycle shows that we are not alone, and that many in our broader community and among our legislative representatives recognize the importance of our work and continue to advocate for and support our efforts.
I was honored to join four of our LEND trainees at the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, DC, in March, where we learned about policy challenges and opportunities, and ways to educate and support our legislative representatives. We participated in a Capitol Hill visit with others from Washington State, where we shared information about issues important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including Medicaid, healthcare access, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We also had the chance to participate in a rally near the capital. I was reminded of how rewarding it is to be part of the national conversation and to bring our voices, and those of our broader communities, to our elected representatives.
As we look forward to the Spring quarter, I hope you can join us at the 2026 IHDD Networking Day to connect with other members of our broad IHDD community. We’re delighted to have Representatives Farivar and Taylor join us as keynote speakers. They have been tireless advocates for people with IDD in the Washington State legislature. We will also be joined by leadership from our DD Network Partners, including the DD Council, Disability Rights Washington, and Allies in Advocacy, who will share how they, along with the UCEDD, work together to serve people with IDD in Washington State. Finally, we’ll have a series of lightning talks and posters covering the wide range of research and development that takes place within the Institute. Our goal is to provide faculty, staff, and trainees with a better sense of the diversity of activities happening within the Institute and to allow some time for you to connect with your colleagues.
I hope to see many of you at Networking Day, and that you all have a great Spring quarter!
Mark
IHDD Director’s Note: Spring 2026
Dear IHDD Community,
Finally, the days are getting longer, and we can leave the office in the daylight! I know many of us feel renewed energy and hope as we move into Spring. As I’m sure you are aware, the Institute faces challenges as federal funding remains in flux. The good news is that our experience from the past budget cycle shows that we are not alone, and that many in our broader community and among our legislative representatives recognize the importance of our work and continue to advocate for and support our efforts.
I was honored to join four of our LEND trainees at the Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, DC, in March, where we learned about policy challenges and opportunities, and ways to educate and support our legislative representatives. We participated in a Capitol Hill visit with others from Washington State, where we shared information about issues important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including Medicaid, healthcare access, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We also had the chance to participate in a rally near the capital. I was reminded of how rewarding it is to be part of the national conversation and to bring our voices, and those of our broader communities, to our elected representatives.
As we look forward to the Spring quarter, I hope you can join us at the 2026 IHDD Networking Day to connect with other members of our broad IHDD community. We’re delighted to have Representatives Farivar and Taylor join us as keynote speakers. They have been tireless advocates for people with IDD in the Washington State legislature. We will also be joined by leadership from our DD Network Partners, including the DD Council, Disability Rights Washington, and Allies in Advocacy, who will share how they, along with the UCEDD, work together to serve people with IDD in Washington State. Finally, we’ll have a series of lightning talks and posters covering the wide range of research and development that takes place within the Institute. Our goal is to provide faculty, staff, and trainees with a better sense of the diversity of activities happening within the Institute and to allow some time for you to connect with your colleagues.
I hope to see many of you at Networking Day, and that you all have a great Spring quarter!
Mark
