Center on Disability Studies

(PHOTO COURTESY OF UH News).Project Hoʻokuʻi Documentary Highlights Pathways from HS to Higher Ed https://go.hawaii.edu/ivN.

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“Project Hoʻokuʻi: Finding a Path for the Future is a 30-minute sequel to the 2023 documentary The Power of Hoʻokuʻi: Joining Together to Build Our Future. The film follows students, educators and community partners connected to Project Hoʻokuʻi, a UH Mānoa College of Education Center on Disability Studies initiative, that supports students as they prepare for college, career training and future professions.

Now in its 18th year and sixth iteration, Project Hoʻokuʻi has served more than 2,000 students across Hawaiʻi, primarily in rural communities...” Read more in the UH News article https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2026/05/29/project-hookui-documentary/

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Summer 2026 eNewsletter
Sign-up for the newsletter at https://go.hawaii.edu/yVn
Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Association of University Centers on Disabilities

(PHOTO COURTESY OF UH News).

Celebrate the 36th Anniversary of the Disability Pride Month “The world works better with us” on July 26, 2026.

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Disability Pride began as a day of celebration when the ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. Today we celebrate disability culture, advances, and overcoming barriers.

Here are a few links to check out:
✔️ Learn about the ADA: https://adata.org/factsheet/what-is-ada/
✔️ Read an ADA Success Story: https://adata.org/short-success-stories/
✔️ Explore the ADA Coordinator Certification Training Program: https://adacoordinator.org/

To celebrate a loved one's unique impact, the "John & Caryl Sprinzel Memorial Scholarship" was created to support students from Molokai who otherwise might not be able to afford to pursue a degree or certificate program in higher education. Read more https://go.hawaii.edu/ivN.

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John Sprinzel was a racing driver, engineer, publicity genius and great problem solver. He was British Rally Champion in 1959 and the first man to turn the Austin Healey Sprite into a supercar. He was a charismatic man with a sparkling personality and fans around the world.

Caryl and John were professional windsurfers, who came to Hawaiʻi in 1982. They fell in love with Molokai where they built their home in 1992. Caryl (aka Hitchcock), a graduate of UH Mānoa, worked as the School Psychologist for the island of Molokai for 15 years and then as an Associate Professor at CDS for 16 years. John (then retired) worked for the HIDOE Molokai Complex special education records department, was the Secretary for the Childrenʻs Community Council (CCC), and Chair of the Molokai Planning Commission for many years.

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Summer 2026 eNewsletter
Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Sign-up for the newsletter at https://go.hawaii.edu/yVn

Have a minute? We would love your feedback about the website for the Center on Disability Studies' University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at https://go.hawaii.edu/9oR.

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Your input helps us improve the information and resources we have on our website. If you've checked out our website within the last year, or would be willing to take a look, we'd love to hear from you.

We are excited to announce the success of the 2026 UCEDD Trainee Program at the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability. Learn how high satisfaction, engagement, and community building features worked at https://go.hawaii.edu/ivN.

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As one of 68 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) nationwide, the Center on Disability Studies (CDS) is committed to advancing opportunities for independence, productivity, and full community participation for people with disabilities.

During the UCEDD Trainee Pre-Conference at Pac Rim 2026, a total of 45 trainees, researchers, advocates, and program leaders gathered to share their work, knowledge, experiences, and visions for creating inclusive, accessible, and empowered communities for people with disabilities and their families and caregivers. The morning was spent sharing information about our work and exploring our collective visions and possible collaborations as we concluded the day with an experience in the sensory.

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Summer 2026 eNewsletter
Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Sign-up for the newsletter at https://go.hawaii.edu/yVn

🚨 Last Call for AUCD 2026 Conference Proposals! 🚨

Have research, innovative practices, or lived experiences to share? The AUCD 2026 Conference Planning Committee invites members of the AUCD Network, the disability community, partners, and allies to submit proposals for Concurrent Sessions and Posters.

📍 Washington, D.C.
🗓️ Conference: November 8–11, 2026
⏰ Proposal Deadline: July 26, 2026

Join us in advancing Impact Through Innovation and Partnership by sharing your work and helping shape the future of disability research, services, and collaboration.

🔗 Submit your proposal today:
https://www.aucd.org/conference/proposals-2026



ID: Promotional graphic for the AUCD 2026 Annual Conference with the theme "Impact through Innovation and Partnership." The top features the AUCD 2026 conference logo and theme. The center shows a large audience seated in a conference session, listening attentively. Below the photo, bold text reads, "Call for Proposals – Submit by July 26th." At the bottom, the conference dates and location are listed: November 8–11 | Washington, D.C. A subtle skyline silhouette spans the bottom edge of the graphic.

Ulu Aʻe Transitions consultant educator Elly Tepper & project coordinator Niki Fisiiahi-Thomayer presenting at the "2026 Transition Centers Best Practice Conference." Learn more at https://go.hawaii.edu/ivN.

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In addition, a session centered on engaging the general audience in exploring practical strategies that foster connection, resilience, and belonging. Using a “learn, experience, reflect” approach, attendees engaged in activities designed to mirror student experiences and foster pilina (connections).

As one participant noted on a feedback form, “These ideas transcend the classroom! What wonderful ideas for developing connections in any forum.”

Learn more at Growing Pono Schools and Ulu Aʻe Transitions.

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Summer 2026 eNewsletter
Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Sign-up for the newsletter at https://go.hawaii.edu/yVn

"Relationships between hearing and Deaf characters are often stereotyped in film as inherently dysfunctional...by focusing on love as an education—the greatest love of all—Compensation..." by Emerson Goo. Learn more at https://go.hawaii.edu/ivN.

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Photo Description: An African American man and woman sit across from each other. The woman is holding up her right hand with three fingers, which means the letter "W" in Black American Sign Language. The man is trying to copy her. The captions say "F-L-O-W".

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Summer 2026 eNewsletter
Sign-up for the newsletter at https://go.hawaii.edu/yVn
Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Association of University Centers on Disabilities

🎉Happy World Emoji Day 🎉

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In 2019, Apple and Unicode Consortium introduced disability-themed emojis in a move designed to "bring even more diversity to the keyboard." The emojis, which were unveiled to coincide with World Emoji Day, will include a guide dog, an ear with a hearing aid, wheelchairs, a prosthetic arm and a prosthetic leg.

However, this is not the end of it!! Advocate for updates to emojis to include all types of disabilities.

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