Ensuring that all children, youth, and adults with disabilities, and those receiving educational supports, are valued by and contribute to their communities of choice. |
|
|
|
New Autism Prevalence Findings in Minnesota
New data from the Minnesota-Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (MN-ADDM) at the University of Minnesota shows that 1 in 28 (3.6%) 8-year-old children in Minnesota have autism. The findings are based on 2022 data from 17,331 children in parts of Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties.
Minnesota is part of a 16-state network funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC found that, on average, 1 in 31 (3.2%) children were identified as having autism in communities where prevalence was tracked by the ADDM Network in 2022, an increase from 1 in 36 in 2020. This estimate is based on 8-year-old children living in parts of 16 states and does not represent the entire population of children in the United States.
"These latest autism prevalence numbers show that we are identifying more children with autism in our communities than ever before," said Dr. Jennifer Hall-Lande, co-principal investigator for the Minnesota project. "Behind every data point is a real child and a real family. What matters most is making sure they have access to the support and services they need to thrive."
This project does not examine what causes autism. The focus is on providing data and training that helps policymakers, educators, communities, providers, families, and individuals make informed decisions and support children with autism and their families.
Learn more about autism prevalence. |
|
Forum: "We Can’t Go Back"
The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities recently held a town hall at ICI to hear people with disabilities, their family members, and others tell how cutting Medicaid and closing federal agencies affects them. Staff members of Minnesota’s U.S. Senators and two Members of Congress listened and reiterated their legislators’ support for essential disability services.
"ICI did things that were important for my students, and it does things that matter for people like my brother," said Sarah Hall (pictured with microphone), an ICI researcher and former special education teacher. "This work actually matters in people’s lives."
Joel Liestman agreed. He is a Council member, advocate, and parent of a student with a genetic condition. Liestman urged legislators to loudly oppose plans to disrupt special education and other services. "Please do not mistake my courtesy for acquiescence," he said. "If you do nothing, if your bosses do nothing, Medicaid and Medicare and Social Security will also be gone."
Learn more about the town hall. |
|
ACT: Back to its Roots
Advocating Change Together (ACT) is having a moment. With a new commitment to disability justice that recalls its roots in the Disability Rights Movement, the Saint Paul-based organization is reigniting its legacy in self-advocacy and leadership development amid upheaval in national disability services administration.
Recently completing ACT Forward, a months-long strategic planning effort that involved staff members and outside stakeholders, the organization is working to secure state funding for self-advocacy and reinvigorate Self-Advocates Minnesota, which engages leaders with disabilities and allies across Greater Minnesota. A new logo, mission and vision statements, website, social and advocacy events
, and a quarterly newsletter have been added, along with several efforts to reach out to partners across the disability community. The Institute on Community Integration is a longtime partner.
The new mission statement vows to support the leadership of people with disabilities in fighting ableism and building inclusive communities.
"Now is the time to double down and call out ableism and dismantle it as best we can," said Jennifer Walton (pictured), who took the reins as executive director of ACT two years ago. "We’re listening, inviting people in, and looking for ways to work collaboratively. We need to come together to do more."
Walton recently presented ACT’s transformation story at a meeting of ICI's Community Advisory Council, a diverse group of disability community leaders who advise the Institute on its community engagement activities and evaluate the impact of its work.
Meredith Kujala, program coordinator, noted that while ACT has always been a strong advocacy organization, Walton and the rest of the team have tapped into a new energy through the transformation process.
"I knew from the start that Jen is a fighter, which I was excited about," Kujala said. "This team has become an amazing force, and we’re not going to be quiet about what’s going on in the disability world. Maybe years ago, we were advocating, but I use the word fighting now. It’s a much different energy."
Learn more about ACT. |
|
ICI Shines at Research Day
Several teams from the Institute on Community Integration recently presented critical ongoing work to improve the lives of people with disabilities, from documenting the prevalence of autism to reimagining how to assist young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) who are transitioning from school to adult life.
The March presentations were highlighted at Research & Innovation Day, an annual event of the University of Minnesota’s College of Education + Human Development that showcases the role of academic research in daily life.
"Research Day is a wonderful opportunity to highlight work happening here and around the world that has the power to meaningfully improve the lives of people experiencing all kinds of barriers," said Renáta Tichá, co-director of ICI’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on HCBS Outcome Measurement.
Learn more about ICI at Research Day. |
|
Recently featured on ICI's Facebook page
In February, ICI's
TIES Center welcomed a Malaysian delegation from
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and the Southeast Asian Ministry of Education Organization for Special Education Needs. They established a collaborative partnership for a TIES Center project, which will be conducted in Malaysia in April. The project will address inclusive education for Malaysian students with disabilities. https://z.umn.edu/adoj |
|
Recent NCEO Reports
Published by ICI’s National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO), this report series examines assessment and standards and accountability issues as they pertain to students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities. Recent issues include: |
|
RISP Data Byte: "Jails, Prisons, and Large State Institutions: Selected Years 1985 to 2023"
Authors: Sheryl A. Larson, Jon Neidorf, and Brian C. Begin
The April 2025 Data Byte notes that many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who live in state-run facilities of 16 or more people have had previous criminal involvement. In 2023, 19% of people admitted to these facilities came from jails and prisons, and 16% of people leaving these facilities went to jails and prisons. In order to best support people with IDD and criminal backgrounds to leave institutions, they will need skilled support workers to ensure they remain safe and can thrive in their communities. Part of the RISP Data Bytes series. |
|
Rethinking What Works: April 2025
Editor: Danielle C Mahoehney
This monthly newsletter from ICI's Minnesota Transformation Initiative (MTI) shares upcoming trainings, featured resources, and stories from across the state about supporting people with disabilities in finding and keeping jobs. It supports MTI’s objective to build capacity for competitive, integrated employment in Minnesota. The April 2025 issue of Rethinking What Works spotlights the 2025 MOHR Spring Training Conference next month. MTI co-sponsors the Minnesota Organization on Habilitation and Rehabilitation conference and will present several sessions at the event. |
|
Journal Articles Published
Gunderson, J., Worthley, E., Byiers, B., Merbler, A., Huebner, A., Hofschulte, D., Lee, J., Riodique, C., & Symons, F. (2025). Modifying quantitative sensory testing to investigate tactile sensory function and behavioral reactivity in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Establishing feasibility and testing sex, autism, and self-injury effects. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 17(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-025-09603-x
Larson, A. L., Castillo, A., Hall-Lande, J., & Zhagui, M. (2025). Latine voices to inform early intervention practice: Espero que nos escuchen. Young Exceptional Children, 28(1), 31–43.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10962506251323280
Patrick, M. E., Williams, A. R., Shaw, K. A., Durkin, M., Hall-Lande, J., Vehorn, A., & Hughes, M. (2025). Social vulnerability and the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among 8-year-old children, Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 2020. Annals of Epidemiology, 104, 8–14.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2025.02.014
Simacek, J., Riegelman, A. L., Gunderson, J. A., Worthley, E. R., Dimian, A. F.,
Chaxiong, P., & Wolff, J. J. (2025). Examining behavioral interventions for infancy and early toddlerhood: A systematic review of intervention parameters, effects, and participant populations. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/gm42p |
|
Art for All: "Create and Color: New Beginnings in Design and Art Through Creative Weaving"
April 24–26
Price Krishnan Gallery, Northrup King Building
1500 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis
Art for All: The Stephanie Evelo Program for Art Inclusion, in partnership with the Annandale Art and Textile Center and the Price Krishnan Gallery,
invites you to an immersive and inspiring weaving event celebrating artistry, inclusion, and professional development. "Create and Color" is a three-day showcase of textile art that highlights the work of the Heart of the Lakes Weavers—12 dedicated artists with disabilities who have honed their skills in the transformative craft of weaving.
This event is more than an exhibition; it is an opportunity to witness art in motion, storytelling through fiber, and a celebration of creative employment for artists with disabilities. It offers attendees a chance to meet the weavers, engage with their process, and experience firsthand how art and craftsmanship intersect to create new beginnings. |
Schleien Scholarship Accepting Applications
The Jason David Schleien Memorial Scholarship offers up to $3,000 to qualified students who actively promote the community inclusion of individuals with disabilities, disadvantaged youth, and other underserved populations. These activities could take place in the spring, summer or fall. Students must be enrolled full-time at the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development and report their experiences to the Schleien family after completing the project. Applicants should submit a one-page proposal to ICI's
Nik Fernholz outlining their interest in the stated examples of areas of study and working with the relevant populations. Read more about this scholarship opportunity. |
Brian Abery and Renáta Tichá. Abery
(pictured at right) delivered a keynote address in February at the Irish Neurodiversity Research Conference in Carlow, Ireland, titled "Self-Determination and Supported Decision Making in the Healthcare Context." On March 19, ICI hosted the second Dignity of Work International Forum, an online event connecting researchers, employers, service providers, people with disabilities, and their family members on employment and transition to employment around the globe. Abery and Tichá (left) led the forum, which featured presentations from seven countries, including India, Malaysia, Japan, the Czech Republic, and the United States. |
|
Megan Sanders, Chet Tschetter, Heather Barcikowski and Sandra Pettingell. Sanders (pictured) and
Tschetter delivered Foundation Skills in Supervision and Developing the Direct Support Workforce Training sessions virtually (March 6 and 20) and in person (March 26–27) to managers and supervisors from Rhode Island agencies that provide supports and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). On March 25, Barcikowski and
Pettingell hosted the virtual Rhode Island Data Community of Practice, "New Year, New Insights," for human resources and data providers from Rhode Island agencies that provide supports and services to people with IDD. |
|
Yi-Chen Wu, Jessica Bowman, and Virginia Ressa. On March 12, Wu (pictured) and
Bowman presented "Who are the Students on the Cusp Between the Alternate Assessment and General Assessments?" at the Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. On March 13, Bowman mentored preservice and early career teachers on mathematics and inclusive education and Ressa
presented "Strategies for Creating and Sustaining Balanced Assessment Systems that are Inclusive of All Students" at the same conference. |
|
Jennifer Sommerness and Gail Ghere. On March 12, Sommerness (pictured) and
Ghere presented on elementary paraprofessionals supporting inclusive education to special education paraprofessionals in the Stanwood-Camano School District in Washington State. On March 19, Ghere facilitated a community of practice on academic rigor for students with extensive support needs for the Los Angeles County Office of Education as part of their Embrace Abilities focus. |
|
Andrea Lawson and Jennifer Hall-Lande. Lawson and
Hall-Lande presented the poster "Partnering to Engage Communities to Promote Early Identification across MN-LEND, MN-ADDM, and MN Act Early" at the Association of Maternal Child Health Programs conference in Washington, DC, March 15–18. |
|
Boyce Leads L’Arche Twin Cities
When Bryan Boyce (MNLEND 2020-21) took on the executive director/community leader role at L’Arche Twin Cities in late 2023, in addition to running his Cow Tipping Press
literary writing classes for learners with developmental disabilities, the jobs had some obvious similarities. Both organizations incorporate the talents of people with and without disabilities, for example.
Cow Tipping hires writing coaches with and without disabilities to support authors, and L’Arche communities around the world create authentic relationships among people with and without disabilities. In the United States, these communities typically are centered around shared living spaces, with professional direct support, and other services. L’Arche began in France in 1964 as a reaction to the inhumane conditions of large institutions for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, L’Arche is present in more than 38 countries across the world.
L’Arche Twin Cities, meanwhile, aims to provide intentional communities without walls, said Boyce, the organization’s first paid staff member. The group has been functioning through volunteer efforts for decades.
On Boyce’s watch, L’Arche has formed a cohort of 12 people who meet on the first Saturday morning of every month for "coffee and camaraderie" in L’Arche office space in Saint Paul, in addition to a variety of events and partnerships with other community organizations. Future cohorts and potential avenues for community building are to come, Boyce said.
"I think the idea of building a community without walls is phenomenal," said Cebrina Williams, a longtime direct support professional who is part of the cohort. "The word has to get out about this, but once it does, I really think it can work. It’s bringing everyone to the table."
Learn more about Boyce. |
|
|
|
This email was sent to ICI staff and all building occupants of the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, our partners and colleagues by Institute on Community Integration, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
mass email privacy statement | |
|
|
The University of Minnesota stands on Miní Sóta Makhóčhe, the rightful homelands of the Dakhóta Oyáte. ICI recognizes that the U.S. did not uphold its end of these land treaties. It is the current and continued displacement of the Dakhóta Oyáte
that allows the University to remain today. At ICI, we affirm our commitment to address systemic racism, ableism and all other inequalities and forms of oppression to ensure inclusive communities. |
|
|
|
|
|
|