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.
06/01/2026
Happy Pride Month! We are proud to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQIA2S+ members in our community throughout June and year round. Let's continue to embrace and celebrate our differences, creating a world where love knows no bounds.
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05/27/2026
Check out the newest CACTI Blog in which Dora Le shares about her own family's experience with healthcare along with her project where she worked with Encircle Families and the International Rescue Committee in Tucson, focusing on access to healthcare and services for refugees with disabilities.
Read the full article at: bit.ly/CACTIDoraLe
05/25/2026
"You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis.
Thank you, Lisa Ayo, Project SEARCH Statewide Coordinator, for sharing this impactful quote with us!
05/20/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities’ 8th Annual Trainee Symposium.
Our trainees did an outstanding job showcasing the projects they worked on throughout the past year. It was inspiring to see the wide range of research, education, and community outreach efforts our students contributed to alongside our faculty, staff, and community partners.
You can access the presenters’ posters and symposium recordings using the links below.
Trainee Posters:
bit.ly/TraineeSymposiumPosters
Videos:
bit.ly/TraineeSymposiumLivedExperiences
bit.ly/TraineeSymposiumInclusiveWorkforce
bit.ly/TraineeSymposiumImprovingAccess
bit.ly/TraineeSymposiumHealthServices
05/18/2026
Paavi's Goal of the Week: "Maintain a balanced living and a healthy mindset." Thank you Paavi for sharing this motivating quote with us!
05/15/2026
Congratulations to all of our student trainees graduating this Spring! They have gone above and beyond with their assistance in research and have shown incredible dedication to expanding possibilities within our communities. We can't wait to see what they accomplish next and wish them the best!
05/13/2026
May is Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage Month! This month, we celebrate the diverse histories, vibrant cultures, and invaluable contributions of the APIDA community in shaping our world. It’s a time to reflect, honor, and uplift these stories while emphasizing unity and understanding.
05/11/2026
Congratulations to Dr. Jacy Farkas from UArizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, a US Department of State Outbound Fellowship Awardee!
Jacy will travel to Uganda in May 2026 to support Fellow Mai Nambooze in sharing findings from her fellowship project on transitioning children and young adults with disabilities out of institutional care.
She will present US practices, facilitate cross-cultural discussions, and engage key partners to strengthen advocacy and expand community-based solutions for care leavers with disabilities.
Stay tuned for updates from our Outbound Team!
https://pfpinclusion.org/hosting/outbound-fellows/
Exchange Programs - U.S. Department of State Institute for Community Inclusion African Disability Forum - ADF
Image caption: US Outbound Fellow Dr. Jacy Farkas (left) and Fall 2025 Inbound Fellow
Mai Nambooze from Uganda (right).
05/11/2026
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein. Thank you Gabe for sharing this inspiring quote with us.
05/09/2026
The Sonoran Center is proud to have participated in the 2026 Arizona Autism Coalition Expo on April 11. The Arizona Autism Coalition Expo is a free resource fair for families, caregivers, individuals with ASD and other neurodivergent conditions to connect with support organizations in Arizona.
Lisa Ayo, Barbara Brent and Gina Griffiths represented the Sonoran Center and they provided resources on the Sonoran Center’s Advancing Employment initiative, which includes the upcoming Advancing Employment Webinar series, the Sonoran Center Summer Work Program, Project SEARCH, Pre-Employment Transition Services, AZ Employment First, Arizona’s Customized Employment project, and more!
Thanks to everyone who made this day a success!
Visit the Sonoran Center website to learn more about the available programs mentioned above.
Link to website: bit.ly/UASonoranCenter