Center for Leadership in Disability

08/28/2026

COMPASS, our Gen-AI platform to support disability systems navigation for people with disabilities and their families, has been shortlisted by the Zero Project for 2027.

The shortlist is a result of review by peers who work at the intersection of disability and accessible technology.

We are grateful for the students, families, and individuals with disabilities who have contributed to the development of this innovative solution to support navigating disability service systems.

The project would not be where it is without the contributions and support of Dylan Schauben, MSW, MPA, MSIS; Julie Eshleman, PhD; Allen Karns; Justine Gravino Kickham; Devin Hicks and Jason Bradley. The project has been funded by our UCEDD and LEND grants.

We will provide updates about the award selection as we receive them.

ID: An infographic celebrating that our Community Oriented Machine leaning Platform for Access to Supports and Services (COMPASS) has been shortlisted by the Zero Project. The infographic also highlights the participation of people with disabilities at each stage in the project’s development.

08/19/2026

Today we began orientation for the 2026-2027 Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (GaLEND) Program cohort. We certainly covered a lot of ground on day one.

The alumni panel was a highlight of our afternoon. The panel featured Macy Gaddy, Linda Tatum, Natasha Nelson, Sheryl Levin Arno, and Megan Fitzgerald Finnegan. We are grateful to each of them for their willingness to come back and share so openly with our new cohort.

Image Description: Five women posing for a photo together.

08/12/2026

This is exciting news from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities! We are excited to work alongside Kim to continue to promote flourishing with people with disabilities and their families.

Please join us in welcoming Kimberly Knackstedt, PhD, as AUCD’s new Executive Director, effective September 1, 2026.

Kimberly brings nearly two decades of experience in disability policy, accessibility, education, government, and nonprofit leadership. Her experience includes serving as the first Director of Disability Policy for the Biden Harris Administration, as well as senior disability policy roles in both the U.S. House and Senate.

She also brings a strong connection to the AUCD Network. Several of her mentors and PhD committee members were leaders at the KUCD - Kansas University Center on Disabilities.

We are excited to welcome Kimberly as AUCD’s fourth Executive Director and look forward to the next chapter of leadership, collaboration, and impact.

Learn more about the announcement and Kimberly’s experience: https://www.aucd.org/news/aucd-executive-director-appointment-kimberly-knackstedt

ID: Professional headshot of a smiling woman in a light blazer on a white background, with the AUCD logo and text “Association of University Centers on Disabilities” in the top left.

05/06/2026

Join GaLEND in an Audiology Continuing Education event!

One out of 4 children who seek hearing health care has a developmental disability. Moreover, often children have not received a formal diagnosis at the time of their hearing evaluation. As a result, audiologists are uniquely positioned to assist in early identification of developmental disabilities through universal screening efforts. This presentation will focus on reviewing best-practice processes and tools for screening development.

Please visit https://bit.ly/GaLENDcourses to learn more and register for the course.

04/21/2026

It's Georgia State Day! At the Center for Leadership in Disability, we are committed to strengthening systems, supporting families, and building inclusive communities across Georgia.

Your gift helps expand training and professional development, advance research, and increase access to resources across our communities.

Give today and be a part of the impact. https://donate.gsu.edu/s/give?dsgt=020110



Visual Description: The photo shows a large diverse group of people standing outdoors posing for a photo.

04/16/2026

The Georgia Child Health Conference invites you to Family Day at Stone Mountain Park! Bring the whole family for a day of fun, food, and activities for all on June 14 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Complimentary park passes will be provided to the first 300 attendees. We hope to see you there!

Registration is required for this event. Register Today: https://tinyurl.com/47tfdu4j

04/14/2026

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a time to move beyond awareness and toward understanding and inclusion.

At the Center for Leadership in Disability, we aim to elevate awareness and honor lived experiences through initiatives like our annual Autism Conference and Expo (ACE) of Georgia. This year’s conference will take place on May 1 at Georgia State University and will center on the theme, Georgia Grown: From Research to Reality.

Join us, along with community partners, self-advocates, and families, to connect, share, and “grow” solutions to the challenges facing individuals with autism, their families, and their communities of support.

Let’s continue learning, listening, and building communities that embrace neurodiversity and support individuals and families in meaningful ways—not just this month, but every day.

Register Today: https://tinyurl.com/mv537t6c

04/13/2026

Check out this webinar being led by CLD faculty member, Brian Barger!

Join us for the first of four Speaker Series Events from the Council on Research and Evaluation (CORE). Brian Barger, PhD, will be speaking on how autism screening tools’ diagnostic accuracy can be underestimated when based solely on initial cross-sectional data on Friday, April 24, from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET.

Register at www.aucd.org/events

Center for Leadership in Disability
Georgia State University

ID: Flyer for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Council on Research and Evaluation (CORE) Speaker Series titled “Advancing Disability Research.” The event is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET. Featured speaker is Brian Barger, PhD, of Georgia State University. A headshot of Dr. Barger appears on the left. The flyer notes he will discuss how autism screening tools’ diagnostic accuracy may be underestimated when based only on initial cross-sectional data. A QR code and the link “aucd.org/events” are provided for registration.

04/01/2026

Julie!

Julie Eshleman, a Georgia LEND Fellow, explains in that the proposed AI Civil Rights Act of 2025 would set guardrails around how AI is used. It would require bias checks, make sure people can ask for a human review, and allow individuals to take legal action if they are harmed.

But these rules alone are not enough.

To make digital tools fair for everyone, we also need to include disabled people in designing AI, make sure insurance and Medicaid cover AI powered assistive tech, and improve internet access for all communities.

Civil rights in the 21st century must include the right to an unbiased, accessible digital world, Julie writes.

📣 Get involved by asking how AI is used in decisions that affect you, pushing for transparency, and supporting policies that promote true inclusion.

Read full blog post: https://bit.ly/4djhp30

Center for Leadership in Disability
The People of Georgia LEND



ID: Split graphic with a blue left panel and a portrait on the right. The left panel reads “AUCD Policy Talk” and includes a quote: “The very features that make AI powered assistive technologies beneficial, its ability to personalize and adapt, are also the sources of its greatest risks.” — Julie Eshleman. The bottom text reads “Safe and Fair AI.” The right side shows Julie Eshelman, a professionally dressed person with long hair featuring pink highlights, wearing glasses and a dark blazer against a neutral indoor background.

03/18/2026

In recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Center for Leadership in Disability reaffirms its commitment to ensuring inclusion, access, and opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities. This month reminds us to center and celebrate individuals with developmental disabilities and their families as key partners in our work.

Visual Description: A selection of 5 photos from CLD events over the years.

Image 1: Two people enjoying music, one playing the guitar and the other who appears to be signing along.

Image 2: A child in a wheelchair pictured with five firefighters in front of a firetruck.

Image 3: Two Leadership Academy participants admiring an exhibit at the Civil Rights Museum.

Image 4: Darien Todd, CLD team member, with a family speaking with a State Representative in front of the Georgia Capitol.

Image 5: A family, two adults and three children, pose to take a family photo.