Center for Disability and Education

10/22/2026

Will you be at the 2026 Skirboll Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Conference?

Join us Friday, October 23rd at 2pm for:

📣 The Next Chapter: Navigating the Transition from High School to College and Beyond

How can we help young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities prepare for life after high school?

Join Mary Judge-Diegert, Ed.D., Assistant Professor (Clinical) and Associate Director of the Center for Disability and Education at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education and Human Development, for a session exploring transition challenges and strategies to support success in college and beyond.

With more than 30 years of experience in education, disability, and transition, Mary will share insights to help families, educators, and professionals build pathways to greater opportunity, independence, and inclusion.

We hope to see you there! 💙

URochester Medicine / Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities / RRCASD / Skirboll Conference Skirboll Conference Formerly known as the Skirboll Family Autism Conference, this name change reflects the priority to address the needs and concerns of the broader intellectual and developmental disabi...

10/07/2026

This is a great opportunity from INCLUDEnyc!

Do you have questions about postsecondary options? You can sign up for INCLUDEnyc's College is Possible, and find out everything you need to know. Register now for Diploma Options on October 20, or Non-Diploma Options on October 27.

https://pulse.ly/x5wznsm28g

10/02/2026

Thank you Wegmans.

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and we’re celebrating people with disabilities across our community and the communities we serve. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every person is respected, supported, and has equitable opportunities to contribute their unique talents, strengths, and perspectives.

09/22/2026

The Think College National Coordinating Center Accreditation Workgroup, led by Martha Mock, professor and director of the Center for Disability and Education (CDE) at the Warner School, has released its 2026 report to Congress: 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮.

The report highlights the 2023 launch of the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation—an independent nonprofit accrediting agency led by Mock and Mary Judge-Diegert, assistant professor and associate director of CDE—as a significant milestone in advancing quality and accountability in the field.

Pages 7-8 feature Mock’s letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, outlining progress in expanding and accrediting postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disability. The letter highlights improved employment and community outcomes, the growth of the field to more than 360 programs serving over 8,000 students, and a new $1 million federal grant that supports national accreditation efforts and establishes a pathway toward broader recognition of these programs.

📋 Read Mock’s letter and the full report:https://thinkcollege.net/sites/default/files/Resources/Accreditation%20Reprt_AUG2026_F_WR_0.pdf =7

07/15/2026

Know someone who is passionate about creating inclusive college opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities?

WCU University Participant (UP) Program, an IHEAC-accredited inclusive higher education program, is seeking a Program Coordinator to join their team!

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting students as they pursue their college experience, personal growth, and career goals.
📍 Position: WCU UP Program Coordinator
📌 Posting #: 182778
Learn more and apply here:
https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/34506

Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with your networks!

06/23/2026

Want to know more about IDEA and the planned move of the Office of Special Education Programs to HHS? Check out this episode of Where The Ramp Ends tomorrow with Stephanie Smith Lee

06/23/2026

This sounds like a great event. If you haven't seen The Ride Ahead we highly recommend it.

Join Co-Director Samuel Habib and Executive Producer Jim LeBrecht for a FREE screening and panel discussion next week!

Attend this hybrid screening in-person at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, CA or online via Zoom on June 30 at 1pm PT/4pm ET. Samuel and Jim will be joined by a panel of disabled young adults to discuss the film, focusing on employment issues. Presented in partnership with the Center for Independent Living - Berkeley and Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF).

Register for free ⬇️
In-person: bit.ly/CIL_TRA
Virtual:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/8017788548572/WN_qOPdRrMcR9OPnwSN8xfCcQ #/registration

[Image Description: Headshots of Samuel Habib and Jim LeBrecht side by side. Below is white text on a navy background: "The Ride Ahead. Join Samuel Habib & Jim LeBrecht in-person or virtually for a FREE film screening & panel discussion! Tuesday, June 30, 1pm PT/4pm ET, Berkeley, CA + Online." In the bottom right corner is a yellow box with a QR code and text "RSVP for FREE: bit.ly/CIL_TRA"]

06/22/2026

Have you heard that Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, New York is launching a new program starting this fall?

https://www.roberts.edu/departments/teacher-education/arch/

06/15/2026

For more than 30 years, Dr. Martha Mock has dedicated her career to expanding opportunities for individuals with disabilities and advancing the belief that everyone deserves access to meaningful, inclusive educational experiences.

As Director of the Center for Disability and Education at the University of Rochester - Warner School of Education, Dr. Mock has helped shape the future of inclusive higher education through research, advocacy, teacher preparation, and national leadership. Her work has transformed systems, influenced policy, and created pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive in college and beyond.

In this Warner Legends Series Q&A, Dr. Mock reflects on the experiences that inspired her work, the creation of the Center for Disability and Education, and her vision for a future where access and inclusion are not exceptions but expectations.

We are proud to celebrate her leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn, belong, and succeed.

A Q&A with Professor Martha Mock on leading inclusive postsecondary education and disability advocacy.

05/27/2026

Will you be in the Boston area on June 11th? If so, our Director, Martha Mock, will be presenting along with colleague, Jaclyn Camden from ACE-IT in College! ACE-IT in College is one of the first programs in the nation to become accredited by the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation.

Emerging Trends 2026 will feature Jaclyn Camden of Virginia Commonwealth University and Martha Mock of the University of Rochester, two national leaders in inclusive higher education and transition services.

Jaclyn’s work focuses on improving transition, employment, and postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities through research, program development, and implementation at the state and national levels.

Martha is widely recognized for her leadership in inclusive higher education, accreditation, and college access for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Together, they’ll lead a conversation on accreditation in inclusive higher education, an emerging topic gaining national attention as more programs explore quality standards, program growth, and long-term sustainability.

Date & Time: Thursday, June 11, 2026, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM ET
Location: University of Massachusetts Boston

Register: https://tcollege.me/4ucab6I