July 2026
“One important key to success is self-confidence.
An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”
~ Arthur Ashe
Welcome to July’s edition of the Buzz from the Hub! Summer is officially in full swing, and we hope you’ve settled into a season filled with relaxation, fun, and memorable moments. Wherever summer takes you, we hope you’ll take a few moments to explore this month’s Buzz and discover resources, tips, and inspiration that you can put to use.
In this issue of the Buzz from the Hub you’ll find the following resources:
- Featured Resource: Deafblindness
- Featured Parent Center: Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
- Guided Play: Turning Everyday Play into Meaningful STEM Learning Opportunities
- AI in Education: What the Research Says
- Life Hacks for Transition
- “Now What?” Resource Suite
- Pain Care Rights
Finally, don’t miss the upcoming virtual events in the Upcoming Events section.
Best wishes and happy reading,
The CPIR Team
Featured Resource!
Deafblindness
What exactly does it mean when a person is deafblind? When most people hear the term “deafblind,” they think of Helen Keller or someone with no vision or hearing. The term actually describes a person who has some degree of loss in both vision and hearing, which may vary from person to person.
This new page on the CPIR website, created in collaboration with the National Center on Deafblindness, provides information on deafblindness and resources that will be helpful in the different stages in a person’s life.
Visit the Deafblindness page to learn more and explore the available resources.
Featured Parent Center
Every few months, we’ll feature a Parent Center on our website and highlight it in the Buzz!
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is the federally funded Parent Training and Information Center for the state of Ohio. OCECD brings together parents, professionals, and community partners to advocate for children with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the educational services, supports, and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential.
Shareable Resources
Early Childhood |
Guided Play: Turning Everyday Play into Meaningful STEM Learning Opportunities
Are you looking for ways to help children learn STEM concepts and processes naturally and in a fun and engaging way? In this blog post STEMIE staff members Dr. Christine Harradine and Victoria Waters share teaching strategies and adaptations, such as prompting and scaffolding, to help children with disabilities engage in playful, meaningful STEM learning.
Read the post here.
Education |
AI in Education: What the Research Says
AI use in the classroom has increased dramatically in recent years, with research on its impacts on children’s learning lagging behind. Is AI effective for helping students learn? What challenges do teachers face in using these tools and making sure children are completing their own schoolwork?
This new tip sheet from the Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development offers practical, evidence-based strategies to guide educators in the new AI-driven classroom, as well as parents navigating children’s learning in the age of AI.
Read the tip sheet here.
Youth |
Life Hacks for Transition
These 20-minute podcasts, created by the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT), provide work-based learning resources and strategies you can use on the fly!
Start listening today.
Young Adults |
“Now What?” Resource Suite
The “Now What?” Resource Suite by the Connecticut Pathways to Integrated Employment (CTPIE) helps job seekers navigate common milestones and decisions throughout the employment process. Each resource provides simple, practical next steps to help individuals prepare for opportunities, build workplace skills, address challenges, and move toward long-term employment success. Topics include what to do after submitting a job application, preparing for interviews, following up after employer events, evaluating and responding to job offers, successfully transitioning into a new job, and addressing challenges that may arise in the workplace.
Access the resources here.
Parent Leadership |
Pain Care Rights
Pain Care Rights is a patient advocacy organization that helps people with chronic pain and their caregivers navigate healthcare, document their symptoms, and advocate for better treatment. It provides practical resources and guidance to empower patients.
Check out the website and explore all the available tools here.
Upcoming Events
Turning Points: The Disability Rights Movement
Join the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center for this session as they revisit some of the pivotal events of the disability rights movement, recognize some of the pioneers who led the way, and acknowledge the power of community that keeps us moving forward on the journey from isolation to inclusion of people with disabilities.
When: Thursday, Jul 16, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Register here.
Leveraging Change Through the SAP and ICC
Join the State Advisory Panel (SAP) and the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) for a collaborative networking session focused on strengthening connections between the SAP and the ICC to create a more seamless experience for families navigating special education. Whether your state already has strong collaboration between its ICC and SAP or is exploring new opportunities to connect these efforts, this session is for you.
When: September 23, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM EST
Register here.
the Hub Central Event Calendar
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