Lillie Heigl, Director of Policy at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), joins George and Amelia for the season finale of the Voices of the Network series.

Lillie shares a national perspective on disability policy, including recent developments in federal funding and advocacy efforts to protect UCEDDs and other DD network programs.

They talk about the importance of relationship-building with legislators, the power of storytelling in policy work, and why advocacy is a long game. This conversation highlights how policy shapes the UCEDD network’s ability to serve people with disabilities nationwide and why staying engaged matters.

🎥 Watch this interview on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd⁠

Resources in this episode:

• Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD): ⁠https://www.aucd.org⁠

• AUCD Policy & Advocacy: ⁠https://www.aucd.org/policy⁠
• Follow Lillie Heigl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillie-heigl-4a2930105/

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

AUCD: Association of University Centers on Disabilities

For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

George and Amelia sit down with Jacy Farkas from the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, one of Arizona’s two UCEDDs. Jacy shares how the state’s unique geography and cultural diversity shape their work—from partnering with border communities and binational organizations to engaging with 22 federally recognized tribal nations. They talk about building trusted relationships, centering Indigenous perspectives, and serving as a bridge between the university and the community. This conversation highlights how UCEDDs work to build capacity within communities, expand opportunities, and support all people.Watch this interview on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd⁠

Resources in this episode:

• University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities: ⁠https://sonoracenter.arizona.edu⁠

• Circle of Indigenous Empowerment: ⁠https://sonorancenter.arizona.edu/cie⁠

• Project SEARCH: ⁠https://sonorancenter.arizona.edu/community-programs/project-search⁠

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

AUCD: Association of University Centers on Disabilities

For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Eric Kurtz, Director of the UCEDD in South Dakota. In our conversation, Dr. Kurtz shares how his team works in the “gaps” between systems—connecting education, aging, mental health, and disability supports to address complex challenges. We dive into the reality of service deserts in both rural and urban areas, the unique needs of tribal communities, and how partnerships can extend expertise to families and frontline providers. Dr. Kurtz also talks about the power of storytelling through projects like Possibilities magazine, and why lifting up voices of lived experience is one of the most effective ways to show the impact of UCEDD and LEND programs.

*Producer Note: We struggled with technology for this interview, so apologies in advance for any oddities with the audio!*

Watch this interview on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd⁠

Resources in this episode:

• University of South Dakota – Center for Disabilities: https://www.usd.edu/Academics/Colleges-and-Schools/sanford-school-of-medicine/Research-and-Outreach-Centers/Center-for-Disabilities

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

IDDRC: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

AUCD: Association of University Centers on Disabilities

Interview Transcript:

For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu