As demand for skilled engineers continues to rise, engineering programs must evolve to engage neurodiverse and underrepresented students through intentional, inclusive design. Our initiative, Internships Designed with Engineering Autistic Students in Mind (IDEAS in Mind), broadens participation and supports belonging among neurodivergent engineering students. Developed in partnership with the University of Arizona Sonoran Center, the College of Engineering, and local employers, the program connects autistic engineering students with industry internships while fostering engineering identity through experiential learning. This presentation will share practical frameworks for building inclusive engineering programs that support neurodiverse students through industry partnerships and intentional program design. Attendees will gain insights applicable to STEM education, career readiness, and disability inclusion initiatives at their own institutions.
Learning Outcomes
- Practical frameworks for building inclusive college programs
- Developing industry partnerships
- The impact of cross-unit collaboration
Communication is foundational to learning, relationships, behavior, and self-advocacy. This session explores practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen communication for students with autism, including effective implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) alongside other supportive approaches. Participants will deepen their understanding of how AAC supports language development, engagement, behavior regulation, and academic access. The presentation emphasizes creating communication-rich environments, embedding supports throughout the school day, and increasing authentic opportunities for student expression. Real-world examples illustrate how teams can move beyond simply providing tools to ensuring meaningful communication use. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to increase participation, expand language, and foster greater independence across educational settings.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to identify strategies to create communication-rich environments that increase authentic opportunities for students with autism to express themselves.
- Participants will be able to apply evidence-informed techniques such as aided language modeling, visual supports, and structured routines to support functional and academic communication.
- Participants will be able to recognize and challenge common myths and misconceptions about AAC and communication development that can limit student access and growth.
Launching into Work is an evidence-informed occupational therapy framework designed to prepare adolescents and young adults with disabilities for competitive integrated employment. The session integrates research-identified predictors of employment success, including paid work experience, vocational preparation, self-determination, and workplace communication skills. Participants will explore how to apply predictor-based strategies and occupation-centered practices to improve employment readiness and long-term job sustainability. Practical tools, real case examples, and actionable planning steps will be provided to support implementation across education, VR, and community settings.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to identify evidence-based predictors of employment success (e.g., paid work experience, self-determination, vocational preparation) and explain how each informs intervention design.
- Participants will learn how to implement occupation-based strategies that strengthen job readiness including communication, workplace planning, and self-advocacy skills.
- Participants will gain practical tools to translate predictor research into transition plans and employment supports across education, VR, and community settings.
Nearly 1 in 2 U.S. adults with disabilities (49%) live in households in which someone has had a court case for a civil, criminal, family, or traffic matter. This is substantially higher than the rate for adults without disabilities (29%). Overall, adults with disabilities make up approximately 30% of the general population, according to a recent national poll by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The topic of criminal justice is one of the hottest topics in the disability community today, especially when one looks at the layers within the Arizona criminal justice system. This proposal proposes a panel discussion with individuals who interact with the justice system daily, giving their own perspectives and answering questions. Panelists include attorneys, law enforcement officers, and criminal justice advocates.
Learning Outcomes
- Understanding barriers for individuals with disabilities in the criminal justice
- Understanding criminal justice from multiple points of view
- Collaborating together to explore possible solutions
