In our session at the IDEA Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on September 6, youth participants moved through rotations, engaged with community employers, and put their skills to work through simulated work experiences.

The Pregnancy and Parenting Support project exists to assess and raise awareness of the support needs of people with disabilities who are or want to become parents. To further that mission, we are amplifying the voices of parents with disabilities to share their experiences.

On August 20, a new mural created by ArtWorks artists and medical students made its debut in the University of Arizona (U of A) College of Medicine - Tucson’s social hall.

This summer, the University of Arizona Health Sciences Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion included the Sonoran Center among its partner organizations for the FRONTERA Internship program. Two of the students that participated in the program, Yasmin Morales and Salehah Shabazz, worked directly with the Sonoran Center.

Through the courses that I have taken for my Certificate in Developmental Disabilities, I have learned how many public health initiatives and medical training are not inclusive to disabled people. Going forward as a medical professional, I have learned ways to create inclusive practices for people with IDD.

While looking for an internship, I knew I wanted to do something that would relate to my interests. However, I was also looking for something that would give me new experiences and teach me new skills. I found the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities, which gave me the best of both worlds. I had opportunities in high school to work with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD).

We sat down with Kelsey Montaño and Loretta Alvarez of the Pre-Employment Transition Services team to discuss the successes of the Summer Work Program in 2024 and what's next for the program.

On the University of Arizona campus, it is easier to get around as a pedestrian than in a car. The campus has lower speed limits and more crosswalks than Tucson overall. This is good, but more is needed to make sure pedestrians are safe. Pedestrians with disabilities face even more disadvantages making it unsafe to walk around campus.

On July 16 at the 17th Annual Project SEARCH Conference, the Sonoran Center's Arizona Project SEARCH initiative was given the "100% Outcome Award" for two of its sites, which were each successful in training and assisting all of their interns during the program year to obtain employment in a competitive, integrated setting.