Adults with Disabilities
Adults with Disabilities programs are designed to serve adults with physical, developmental or cognitive disabilities by encouraging inclusion in the community and providing educational, social and recreational opportunities for participants. Programming can include development of classes and activities specifically for adults with disabilities as well as providing reasonable accommodations for adults with disabilities to participate in any Community Education activity.
By creating inclusive programs for all community members to pursue learning, Community Education fosters relationships, opportunities, and connections. Programming can include development of classes and activities specifically for adults with disabilities as well as providing reasonable accommodations for adults with disabilities to participate in any Community Education activity.
Professional Network
MCEA established the Community Education Network on Disabilities (CEND) which is made up of community educators and adults with disabilities advocates from throughout Minnesota. CEND meets quarterly to network, participate in staff development opportunities, share program ideas, problem-solve and develop legislative action plans. Members work together to strengthen programs, connect adults with disabilities to their community and provide accommodations that will ensure successful learning experiences for all participants.
Here is a listing of CEND member groups and Community Education programs for adults with disabilities in MN.
Meet the CEND Board Members:
- Jennifer Andress – andressj@stillwaterschools.org
Contact for: Adding items to an agenda
for CEND meetings - Jordi Teillard-Cui – jteillardcui@isd622.org
Contact for: CEND meeting invitations - Karen Booth – karen.booth@spps.org
Contact for: General questions - Laura Campbell– Laura.campbell@mpls.k12.mn.us
Contact for: Membership Dues, finances &
conference registration fees - Linda Jacobs – linda.jacobs@winona.k12.mn.us
Contact for: Questions regarding past
meeting minutes/notes - Lindsay Richins – lindsay.richins@minnetonkaschools.org
Contact for: AWD policies, funding, google
drive & general questions
CEND Committee Meeting Dates:
CEND Virtual Meeting
January 19th, 2027
10am to noon
CEND Virtual Meeting
March 16th, 2027
10am to noon
CEND Annual Conference:
April 30, 2027 – 9AM -4PM
Location and registration TBA
MN AWD Policy
Subd. 8.Program approval.
(a) Beginning July 1, 2024, and at least once every five years thereafter, a district’s community education advisor council must review and approve the district’s adults with disabilities program and submit a statement of assurances to the commissioner in the form and
manner determined by the commissioner. The program must seek feedback from adults with disabilities and other community organizations providing services to adults with disabilities.
MN AWD Statute(b) Each school district with an adults with disabilities program must include at least the following information about its adults with disabilities program in its annual community education report under subdivision 14:
(1) a summary of the characteristics of the people served by the program;
(2) a description of the program services and activities;
(3) the most recent program budget
(4) a summary of the participation by adults with disabilities in developing the program;
(5) an assessment of the needs of adults with disabilities; and
(6) a description of cooperative efforts with community organizations.