Policy of the Network & the Fight for UCEDD Funding with Lillie Heigl, AUCD
Wed Oct 29 2025
Lillie Heigl, Director of Policy at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), joins George and Amelia for the season finale of the Voices of the Network series.
Lillie shares a national perspective on disability policy, including recent developments in federal funding and advocacy efforts to protect UCEDDs and other DD network programs.
They talk about the importance of relationship-building with legislators, the power of storytelling in policy work, and why advocacy is a long game. This conversation highlights how policy shapes the UCEDD network’s ability to serve people with disabilities nationwide and why staying engaged matters.
🎥 Watch this interview on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd
Resources in this episode:
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD): https://www.aucd.orgAUCD Policy & Advocacy: https://www.aucd.org/policyFollow Lillie Heigl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillie-heigl-4a2930105/
Acronym Guide:
DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act
UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
AUCD: Association of University Centers on Disabilities
For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ihd.umkc.edu
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Lillie Heigl, Director of Policy at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), joins George and Amelia for the season finale of the Voices of the Network series. Lillie shares a national perspective on disability policy, including recent developments in federal funding and advocacy efforts to protect UCEDDs and other DD network programs. They talk about the importance of relationship-building with legislators, the power of storytelling in policy work, and why advocacy is a long game. This conversation highlights how policy shapes the UCEDD network’s ability to serve people with disabilities nationwide and why staying engaged matters. 🎥 Watch this interview on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd Resources in this episode: Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD): https://www.aucd.orgAUCD Policy & Advocacy: https://www.aucd.org/policyFollow Lillie Heigl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillie-heigl-4a2930105/ Acronym Guide: DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities AUCD: Association of University Centers on Disabilities For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ihd.umkc.edu