Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU

09/09/2026

Every September, we recognize National Recovery Month as a time to share resources and support those who are on their substance use recovery journey.

Substance use disorder is recognized as a disability by the Americans with Disabilities Act for anyone who has completed or is currently involved in a recovery treatment program.

A study published in the Disability and Health Journal showed higher rates of substance use and misuse among people with disabilities, highlighting the importance of proper accommodations when it comes to treatment.

Considering that West Virginia has both the highest disability rate and the highest opioid overdose mortality rate in the country, it is important to make sure people know how and where to access supports and resources.

- HELP4WV offers a 24/7 call, chat, and text line to offer support to anyone with substance use or mental health issues. Trained specialists can connect you to resources in your area: https://www.help4wv.com/ or call/text 844-435-7498.

- FindTreatment.gov allows you to search substance use and/or mental health treatment facilities by zip code: https://findtreatment.gov/

- Regional Transition Navigator Services (RTNS) at the CED has an interactive map that shows recovery homes and contact info by WV county: https://rtn.cedwvu.org/transitional-living-programs-in-west-virginia/

- SAMHSA's recovery resource center: Tons of fact sheets and informational pdfs about many aspects of recovery, from rural recovery tips to provider self-care and much more: https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/recovery/recovery-resource-center



Regional Transition Navigator Services
Help4WV

09/09/2026

Researchers from WVU invite birth parents, foster parents, grandparents, adoptive parents, and other caregivers with experience caring for an infant or child exposed to or diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) to participate in a virtual conversation about improving care for families in West Virginia.

We want to learn from your experiences supporting a child through infant follow-up care, navigating healthcare systems, and accessing family support services. Your perspective will help identify what works well, what challenges caregivers face, and what questions future research should focus on to improve care for children and families.

Participant time commitment will be approximately 2 hours total via virtual meetings.

Check out the full details and find out how to participate in this and other studies: https://research.cedwvu.org/participate/

WVU Health Sciences

09/08/2026

Don't forget to register to join the 2026 West Virginia Tri-State Walk for Apraxia at the Barboursville Park in Barboursville, WV happening on Saturday, September 26!

Walk for Apraxia is a nationwide event to raise awareness and funds for those impacted by apraxia, a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to speak.

Learn more and register: https://act.apraxia-kids.org/event/westvirginiawalk

Apraxia Kids

09/08/2026

Unfortunately, we have to reschedule today's CED Ability Grand Rounds webinar with Dr. Terry Quinn. Stay tuned for a reschedule announcement coming ASAP! Sorry for the inconvenience!

Don't forget to join us tomorrow, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. EST as we welcome Dr. Terry Quinn from the University of Glasgow as he presents on describing recovery in stroke trials and practice!

You are invited to join the Grand Rounds discussion! Each month, we host an expert guest presenter for an hour-long webinar that is free for anyone to attend. We welcome all voices: people with disabilities, families, providers, students, faculty, advocates, and community members.

Register in advance and we will see you online!: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/uGxLosLjRj2CrrZjZX9LkA #/registration

University of Glasgow

09/08/2026

Are you a WVU student who would like to help students in the Country Roads program as a peer mentor?

Country Roads is a program designed for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Participants take academic courses, live in the dorms, attend social events on campus, and get a full college experience!

Peer mentors are currently enrolled WVU students who volunteer to support the Country Roads students and program.

What do Country Roads mentors do?:
- Help students navigate campus and learn how to use transportation like the PRT and buses.
- Support with understanding the social environment of being a college student.
- Encourage healthy eating and spending habits.
- Attend athletic and social events with students.
- Volunteer with students for on-campus and/or community events.

Peer mentors may be able to use time towards internship, practicum, or other training or service hours. Interested in becoming a Country Roads peer mentor Send an email to [email protected] to get started!

Learn more: https://countryroads.cedwvu.org/peer-mentors/

09/07/2026

Don't forget to join us tomorrow, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. EST as we welcome Dr. Terry Quinn from the University of Glasgow as he presents on describing recovery in stroke trials and practice!

You are invited to join the Grand Rounds discussion! Each month, we host an expert guest presenter for an hour-long webinar that is free for anyone to attend. We welcome all voices: people with disabilities, families, providers, students, faculty, advocates, and community members.

Register in advance and we will see you online!: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/uGxLosLjRj2CrrZjZX9LkA #/registration

University of Glasgow

09/04/2026

WVU and the CED will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observation of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 8 with regular business hours.

Labor Day honors the American labor movement and the contributions of all workers, including those with disabilities.

Disability Employment Services at the WVU CED connects job-seeking clients with disabilities to the businesses that hire them in order to find the perfect match. Services include employment counseling, skill assessment, career exploration, resume writing, interview preparation and mock interviews, assistance with applications, and info on disabilities in the workplace guidelines and requirements.

Learn more: https://cedwvu.org/employment-services/

09/04/2026

Don't forget to join us next Tuesday, September 8 at 1 p.m. EST as we welcome Dr. Terry Quinn from the University of Glasgow in Scotland as he presents on describing recovery in stroke trials and practice!

You are invited to join the discussion! Each month, we host a guest presenter for an hour-long webinar that is free for anyone to attend. We welcome all voices: people with disabilities, families, providers, students, faculty, advocates, and community members.

Register in advance and we will see you online!: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/uGxLosLjRj2CrrZjZX9LkA #/registration

University of Glasgow

09/03/2026

The Mountain State Conference on Disabilities (MSCD) Planning Committee is actively seeking proposals for short courses, workshops, and poster sessions from individuals with disabilities, caregivers/family members, researchers, professionals, and students to be presented at the MSCD at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, WV during April 15-17, 2027.

The conference planning committee encourages you to submit a short course, workshop, or poster proposal that relates to the conference theme of "Breaking Barriers, Building Possibilities." This theme was chosen to represent how all stakeholders in the disability community recognize the challenges that people with disabilities face and the opportunities that emerge when those challenges are removed.

DEADLINE for submission is October 2, 2026.
Notification of acceptance will be by December 4, 2026.
For questions, please contact Amy Burt at [email protected]

Submit a proposal: https://cedwvu.wufoo.com/forms/wb0wrve1swcn94/
Learn more about MSCD: https://cedwvu.org/mscd/

Association of University Centers on Disabilities
WV Developmental Disabilities Council
Disability Rights of West Virginia
WVU Health Sciences
WVU School of Medicine
WVU School of Public Health
WVU School of Social Work
WVU School of Nursing

09/02/2026

CED Ability Grand Rounds webinars are back for another academic year of inviting state, national, and international experts to present about important topics in the disability field!

You are invited to join the discussion! Each month, we host a guest presenter for an hour-long webinar that is free for anyone to attend. We welcome all voices: people with disabilities, families, providers, students, faculty, advocates, and community members.

First up, we are excited to welcome Dr. Terry Quinn from the University of Glasgow next Tuesday, September 8 as he presents on describing recovery in stroke trials and practice.

Register in advance and we will see you online!: https://wvu.zoom.us/meeting/register/uGxLosLjRj2CrrZjZX9LkA #/registration

University of Glasgow