Current Trainings
Implementing New Medicaid Work Requirements: Strategies to Mitigate Harm in Your State
Justice in Aging: Fighting Senior Poverty Through Law
Thursday, February 5, 2026 – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
The webinar will include a breakdown of the law’s key provisions and clarify who the requirements apply to. Presenters will discuss how exemptions and other protections should be implemented to prevent coverage loss and administrative burden, particularly among older adults and caregivers.
Advocates will gain strategies and tools to use in the implementation and policy-setting stage to help ensure states comply with the law and adopt as many optional protections as possible.
ASK an Expert: Navigating Disability Services: A Comparison Between High School and College
ASK Resource Center ASK An Expert
Monday, February 9, 2026 – 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Transitioning from high school to college is exciting, but it can also bring new questions—especially for students with disabilities. Join UI REACH Director. Bill Lloyd, for a webinar on the key differences in accommodations and support between high school and college.
You’ll also get a brief overview of UI REACH and the resources it provides. With practical tips and helpful tools, this presentation will help students and families feel confident and prepared for a smooth college transition.
ASK an Expert: Empowered Employment: Job Coaching and Work-Based Learning Solutions
ASK Resource Center ASK An Expert
Monday, February 16, 2026 – 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Join ASK and Haris Kovacevic from the Central Iowa Family Institute for an informative webinar on job coaching for people with disabilities. Learn what a job coach does, how they support individuals at work, and how families can partner with them for successful employment experiences. We’ll also bust common myths so you can feel confident supporting your loved one on their employment journey.
Mindspring Hosts Webinars & Events
Free Training Opportunities
February 2026 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
Unleashing Value and Talent: JAN and EARN Resources for Today's Workforce
Hosted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Thursday, February 12, 2026 – 1:00 to 2:00 PM
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) works to ensure that Americans with disabilities have opportunities to build careers, contribute their talent, and achieve economic mobility.
A central part of this mission is providing employers and others with practical, high-quality services and resources that translate policy into practice and help organize supports that lead to success.
Positive Behavioral Supports
1-day, regional training program
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 – 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave.,
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Positive Behavioral Supports is a 1-day, regional training program open to all providers of home- and community-based services interested in helping individuals transition to homes in community settings through Iowa’s Money Follows the Person grant.
There is no charge to attend the training, and training materials will be provided by the Money Follows the Person grant.
Sensory Friendly Movie: Ice Age
Presented by FilmScene & Autism Society of Iowa
Sunday, February 22, 2026 – 10:30 AM
Join the February Picture Show presentation of Iowa Age in a special sensory friendly environment. Lights up, sounds low, and limited tickets allowing room to move. All are welcome!
Disability and Language
Very Few "Right Answers" But Lots to Think About
Thursday, January 29, 2026 – 12:00 to 1:00 PM
The January Lens Webinar Series will feature Dr. Margaret Price, who will explore how language, identity, and accessibility intersect in everyday communication.
What’s the “right” way to talk about disability? Which terms are current, and which should be retired? How can we respectfully learn what labels or language a friend, colleague, or student prefers? And what about common idioms — is it awkward to say “See you later!” to a blind friend, or invite a wheelchair user to “take a walk”? These are some of the questions Dr. Price will address in her presentation.
Training Sources
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.
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.
