UArizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities

Home
United States
Tucson, AZ
UArizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities

Expanding possibilities and enhancing independence through education, research and service. http://www.aucd.org

Over the past 16 years the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, part of the Department of Family and Community Medicine in the College of Medicine – Tucson, has been hard at work to make its vision a reality – to ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the supports they need to fully participate in the vibrant life of our community.

To accomplish this goal, the Sonoran Center has focused on capacity building, infrastructure development, and fostering leadership to establish itself as a recognized leader in disability within Arizona and across the nation. University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) like the Sonoran Center exist in every state to serve as a resource for people in the areas of education, research and service relative to the needs of people with developmental disabilities. Authorized by the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 and funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are 67 UCEDDs in the United States and its territories. To learn more about the network of UCEDDs, see the Association of University Centers on Disabilities' website.

08/21/2026

Join us on August 24th for a Circle of Indigenous Empowerment Webinar! This virtual workshop will be presented by Memory Dawn Long Chase, BA and Agnes Attakai, MPA.

In this Part 2 we will recap the key concepts of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) from Part 1 with a focus on the neurobiological impacts of complex trauma, cover intergenerational growth, and cover evidence-based, actionable wellness strategies. This presentation will help participants learn how to empower survivors and practitioners to build sustainable, daily self-care routines that promote post-traumatic growth and a deeper sense of safety.

This webinar will be held on zoom from 10am-12pm MST.
Register today at: bit.ly/CIEBeyondSurvivalPart2

07/29/2026

Check out the newest CACTI Blog in which Sara Valderrama shares about her experience with the DISCAPAZ project and how it deepened her understanding of diverse populations and communities, strengthened her ability to support children and teens with disabilities from border regions, and further developed her skills as a culturally-responsive school psychologist.

Read the full article at: bit.ly/CACTISaraValderrama

07/27/2026

"Neurodiversity is about the purposeful acceptance and inclusion of neurodivergent people - accepting that our brains can be just as diverse as what we look like or where we come from." - Drew Milne. Thank you Drew, Content Coordinator, for sharing this insightful quote with us about the meaning of Neurodiversity during this Disability Pride Month.

Read the full article about Neurodiversity in Action by Drew Milne here: https://bit.ly/NeurodiversityInAction

07/17/2026

Join us on July 29th for a Circle of Indigenous Empowerment Webinar! This virtual workshop will be presented by Memory Dawn Long Chase, BA and Agnes Attakai, MPA. This presentation will help participants learn how trauma affects the brain and body while sharing practical, trauma-informed self-care strategies to support healing, resilience, and a greater sense of safety.

This webinar will be held on zoom from 10am-12pm MST.
Register today at: bit.ly/CIEBeyondSurvival

07/15/2026

This week we are recognizing Samantha Antone for our intern spotlight feature! Samantha is a current student at Tohono O’odham Community College majoring in Early Childhood Education and is part of the A Student's Journey (ASJ) program at the University of Arizona. ASJ provides an opportunity for Tribal college students to gain meaningful work experience in a field directly related to their major.

Samantha's project as an intern is working on an activity book for Native kids ages 5-8 that will allow families to engage cognitive skills, build fine motor skills, language, sensory awareness, and highlight child development skills and emotional regulation. Her poster presentation will be this week on July 17 at the Final Showcase on main campus. Be sure to check it out!

07/13/2026

Paavi's goal of the week: "Learn to prioritize yourself by expressing your needs." Thank you Paavi for sharing this motivating goal with us this week!

07/09/2026

As we transition from Pride month to Disability Pride month, we want take time to celebrate the histories, identities, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQIA+ and disability communities. This media list features books, films, podcasts, organizations, and creators that explore the intersections of LGBTQIA+ identity and disability, highlighting the diverse experiences of people with multiple identities. We hope these resources amplify underrepresented voices and encourage meaningful learning and connection.

Check out the media list today at: bit.ly/PrideMonthMediaList

+

07/08/2026

Every child deserves the support and services they need to thrive. With support from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program, the Refugee Disability Roundtable education workgroup created guides to help refugee parents navigate the U.S. disability service system. You can find all six guides towards the bottom of our webpage, available in seven different languages.

Read more here: bit.ly/refugee_disability

Join the us and the Roundtable for a Virtual Resource Fair TOMORROW, July 9th from 9-10:30am MST.
Register at: bit.ly/RefugeeRoundtable

07/07/2026

Join us on July 21st for a Circle of Indigenous Empowerment Webinar! This virtual workshop will be presented by Susan M. Wolf, Executive Director of Empowerment Research, LLC. This presentation will help participants learn how healthcare providers, advocates, legal professionals, and community organizations can work together to better support survivors of sexual violence through stronger partnerships and coordinated care.

This webinar will be held on zoom from 11am-12pm AZ (MST).
Register today at: bit.ly/MovingFromSilosToSystems

07/06/2026

Paavi's Motto of the Week: "Believe in yourself by accepting who you are." Thank you Paavi for sharing this inspiring motto with us this week!

Address

1521 E Helen Street
Tucson, AZ
85721

Telephone

(520) 626-0442

Website

http://sonorancenter.arizona.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UArizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Tucson?