Current Trainings
Celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): How Assistive Technology (AT) Supports Daily Life and Work
Celebrating 35 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
The webinar panel from the Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center (AT3 Center) will focus on increasing access to and acquisition of AT tools across the lifespan. The panel will share examples of how AT is that critical bridge to helping break down barriers and provide innovative approaches for one to be more independent within the workplace and the broader community.
Sidewalk Accessibility Challenges and Promising Practices
Accessible Transportation Resource Center Office Hours
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Sidewalk inaccessibility is a significant hurdle in first mile/last mile transit connections and navigating pedestrian infrastructure. This ATRC Office Hours will feature Eric Sinagra, CEO of pathVu. Eric will present on challenges in creating accessible pedestrian infrastructure, pathVu's research into sidewalk accessibility, and effective strategies for multimodal transportation.
Supporting Caregivers in Preparing Their Homes for Emergency Situations and Natural Disasters
Brain Injury Association of Iowa
July 15, 2025 – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Presented by Tiffany Ballantyne, Office Coordinator – Morningside University and Team Lead/Outreach Counselor – Project Recovery Iowa
*IBC approved for 1.0 hour Generic
Mindspring Hosts Webinars & Events
Free Training Opportunities
June 2025 dates
Webinar Series
Mindspring provides free mental health education opportunities to the public through webinars on a wide variety of mental health topics. Webinars are hosted every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00pm-1:00pm, and Wednesday from 10:00-11:00pm and 12:00pm-1:00pm CST.
All webinars are free and open to the public. Webinars are recorded and emailed to all registrants. Certificates of attendance are administered to anyone who participates in the live webinar and completes the survey at the end.
Upcoming Events
2025 Sensory Friendly Day at the Ballpark
Sponsored by Autism Society Iowa, ChildServe and the Iowa Cubs
Sunday, June 29, 2025 – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The 2025 Sensory Friendly Game will provide an environment designed for children, teens and
adults with autism or sensory processing disorders in mind, so families who have a member with
special healthcare needs can visit, play and enjoy the game.
Special programming and activities are planned with modifications, including the mitigation of sounds and motions as much as
possible, designated educational areas, directional signage and trained volunteers throughout the
stadium.
Shared Learning Groups on Systems Change and the Importance of Partnerships
The Link Center – Bridging I/DD and Mental Health Systems
July 22 & 23, 2025
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), brain injuries, and other disabilities, and co-occurring mental health conditions need support for their whole well-being. These sessions will explore how each of us has a part to play in changing the way these support systems work. The sessions will focus on partnering with others to influence these systems as a community of people with lived experience, families, professionals, and systems advocates.
Registration
There are four sessions on the same topic, each for a different target audience. Registration is required and is limited to 200 participants per session.
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
- Direct Support Professionals: 12:00-:30 p.m. CT - Register here
- Clinical Professionals: 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT - Register here
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- Families: 12:00-1:30 p.m. CT - Register here
- Individuals: 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT - Register here
Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided.
Registration is Now Open for the 2025 SOAR Conference
Seeking Opportunities for an Advocacy Revolution
October 3-5, 2025
Embassy Suites by Hilton – Omaha Downtown
Old Market, 555 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE 68102
This event brings together self-advocates with disabilities from around the Midwest to exchange ideas and learn from each other about advocacy.
Participating States: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming
Training Sources
Health Care Provider Training
Free suite of videos
Assuring Access to Quality Health Care for Persons with Disabilities is a free suite of videos aimed at educating current and future health care professionals on strategies to effectively communicate with and accommodate patients with a variety of disabilities.
Disability Exchange Podcast
The Disability Exchange (DX) podcast is produced and presented by the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Iowa’s UCEDD, at the Center for Disabilities and Development. Join UCEDD staff and podcast co-hosts, Mike Hoenig, Laury Scheidler and Judy Warth, for this engaging series.
All episodes of the DX podcast are available on the Anchor by Spotify platform
Or search for “Disability Exchange” wherever you get your podcasts. And find links to a variety of other platforms on the DX Anchor by Spotify page. DX is not yet available on Apple podcasts.
Joanna Sabha produces the DX podcast for the UCEDD. Get in touch with her if you have questions or would like to learn more about it at Joanna-sabha@uiowa.edu or 319-356-1347.
Download transcripts of new podcast episodes, below, or catch up with episodes from previous seasons.
Access to Training
Our Training Sources page provides links to a variety of training resources that are available on an ongoing basis. Most of these resources are online, available any day, any time. Check websites for fees associated with the trainings.
The Conner Training Connection makes every effort to assure these listings are up-to-date. Visit our Training Sources page.
Training Calendar
Please visit our interactive calendar to find trainings on disability-related topics, including autism, brain injury, mental health, self-advocacy and transition. We invite you to share trainings with us and others using the "Add Event" button on this calendar.
Please visit our Contact Us page on this website for more information or support.