Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

This spring, the LEADS program marked two significant milestones: a study visit from our partners at the University of Thessaly to Washington, DC, followed by a reciprocal visit from our Georgetown team to Greece.

During the DC visit, University of Thessaly colleagues engaged directly with self-advocates and family advocates from our community, hearing firsthand about navigating systems, building lives of full participation, and what genuine inclusion requires in practice.

In Greece, we visited programs that left a lasting impression: an early intervention program, a day treatment program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and an innovative vocational training program teaching beekeeping to transition-aged youth. These visits deepened our partnership and brought the shared vision at the heart of LEADS to life in powerful ways.

The LEADS Joint Executive Master's in Disability Leadership and Inclusion, offered jointly by Georgetown University and the University of Thessaly, launches its inaugural cohort in January 2027. These exchanges reflect what makes LEADS distinctive: a truly collaborative, transatlantic partnership grounded in community voice and a commitment to preparing leaders who can transform systems.

Applications open soon!

What does real inclusion look like? Let's talk about it.

We're excited to share a FREE international forum organized by the University of Thessaly in Greece, held in connection with the Joint Executive Master's in Disability Leadership and Inclusion (LEADS) — offered jointly by the University of Thessaly and Georgetown University. It brings together voices from the U.S. and Greece for an honest conversation on disability, leadership, and systems change.

The forum will feature several incredible members of our D.C. community: Chrysanthé Courniotes, Jonathan Uy, and Fari Ghamina Tumpe

📅 Monday, June 15 | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams
🔗 No sign-up needed! Link to join the discussion in the comments!

Please share with anyone who cares about disability inclusion! All are welcome!

What a day. On May 18th, we gathered at our building on Wisconsin Avenue for two events that together said something important: inclusion matters at every age, from the very beginning of life all the way through.

In the morning, researchers and clinicians from the Thrive Center came together with Early Intervention directors from DC, Maryland, and Virginia to talk about what it means to support babies, toddlers, and their families. We also celebrated our graduating GULEND and GUCEI students. So proud of this group of emerging leaders!

In the afternoon, Project ACTION! brought generations of self-advocates, family members, and partners into the same room to share stories, speak honestly about the challenges happening right now in DC, and imagine what the next chapter of disability rights can look like. The Making a Difference Awards honored people who have given so much to this community. And then we danced.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared their story, and reminded us why this work matters. Thank you to our panelists, presenters, moderators, planning committee, and partners including Disability Rights DC, the DC Developmental Disabilities Council, Georgetown LEND, and Project ACTION!
Inclusion is not a destination. It is something we build together, every single day.

So much to share from one incredible event! 🙌 Our work spans the full arc of disability inclusion — and this today at the 2026 MedStar Health-Georgetown University Research & Education Symposium, we got to bring it all into one room.

⭐Longitudinal research, led by families. ⭐ Our study on transition experiences of young adults with IDD centers families not as subjects, but as co-investigators — genuine intellectual contributors shaping every stage of the research. Pictured with research assistants Toni Smith and Nina Park.

⭐ Medical education that prepares future physicians. ⭐ Our LEND capstone team presented "GUSOM Disability Content Curriculum Integration" Examining how Georgetown School of Medicine can build disability training longitudinally across the curriculum. Grateful to the full team: Suzan Yesil, Dr. Kim Bullock, Miriam Edelman, Nasreen Shahrour, Abigail Escobar, and Dr. Pamala Trivedi, and the students, self-advocates, and community partners who shaped this work.

⭐ Honoring the people holding inclusive education together. ⭐ Direct Aides like Ebony — who works daily with middle and high schoolers with the highest support needs in DC — bring relational skill, cultural knowledge, and emotional steadiness to some of the hardest moments in a school day, largely without structured training or professional recognition. Our Centering Voices initiative is working to change that.
Inclusive education. Physician training. Community-led research. Three threads, one mission: centering the people and communities too often left at the margins.

We had a great time hosting a screening of The Ride Ahead with a Q&A with co-directors Samuel and Dan Habib! The movie was 10/10. Get ready to be brought in to the experience of a young man with a disability as he navigates his transition from high school to independence.

Congratulations to everyone behind the movie The Ride Ahead for being nominated for 2 Emmy awards! 🥳 See it for yourself this Monday, April 13th from 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM on Georgetown's campus and meet the co-directors, Samuel Habib and Dan Habib. Register now to let us know you're coming and get more info. We've got snacks + ASL and Spanish interpretation will be provided. The movie will be captioned. https://georgetown.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dnBjryPtjic0U86

Happening ONE WEEK from today! 🎬

Join us for a special screening of The Ride Ahead followed by a Q&A with award-winning filmmaker and disability advocate Samuel Habib.

📅 Monday, April 13
🕛 12:00–2:30 PM
📍 Healey Family Learning Center, Georgetown University (3700 Tondorf Rd)

ASL & Spanish interpretation + captioning provided. Snacks too!

Don’t miss this powerful conversation about disability, adulthood, and finding your voice.

👉 Register now: https://georgetown.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dnBjryPtjic0U86

Hosted by GUCEDD, GULEND, GU Disability Studies, and the Disability Cultural Center

🎉 Celebrating Dr. Rachel Brady! 🎉

We are proud to share that Dr. Rachel Brady has received a 2026 Advocate for Equity Award during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM)!

Dr. Brady, a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), has spent more than 30 years supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. She has also spent over 20 years training students and professionals across disciplines.

At GUCEDD, we have seen firsthand the impact of her work. As a leader, mentor, and educator, Dr. Brady has helped:
✔️ Trained and mentored future professionals in early intervention
✔️ Promote inclusion in communities
✔️ Support families as partners in care
✔️ Promoted culturally respectful and family-centered care

She teaches that families are experts in their own lives—and that services should be built on trust, respect, and partnership.

As Dr. Brady prepares to retire this spring, we are especially grateful for her years of leadership, kindness, and dedication. Her impact will continue through the many students, professionals, and families she has supported.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Rachel Brady on this well-deserved recognition!