July 23, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – The team at the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is saddened by the passing of a former colleague, Dana M. Fink. As noted in her obituary, “Dana devoted her career to advancing the rights and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults.” During her time with IEL, Dana served IEL’s […]
IEL Mourns Passing of Former Colleague, Disability Advocate Dana Fink Read More »
By Nikkie Baum, CSxFE Volunteer/Attendee; Community School Impact Coordinator, Marie Hughes Community Schools (Albuquerque, NM) The forecast started off cloudy but the smiles inside the Long Beach Convention Center were shining brightly as attendees joined the start of the 2026 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference during the last week of May. Powered by
Guiding Lights, Brighter Futures: A CSxFE26 Reflection Read More »
Pictured above: Youth and adults from IEL’s Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) pose in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial during the 2023 RAMP Annual Meeting. 33 years ago today, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This legislation enabled people that were, and still are, categorically discriminated against,
IEL Builds on Over 3 Decades of Advocacy to Support People and Youth with Disabilities Read More »
IEL staff joined the Family Café to facilitate the first Florida Advocacy Summit (funded through the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council), which included self-advocates with disabilities, family members, and allies. Together, the attendees created advocacy action plans to address barriers to affordable, accessible housing and transportation for people with disabilities in Florida. The IEL team designed
IEL Supports Self-Advocates at Florida Advocacy Summit Read More »
The Department of Labor, in collaboration with the Council of State Governments and National Conference of State Legislatures, released a report based on the career development work of IEL and it’s partners.
Department of Labor Report Highlights IEL’s Youth Transition Work Read More »
The IEL-led National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth recently released two new briefs to improve youth financial capability. One brief focuses on what families can do and the other brief is targeted directly to young people.
New Resources Help Youth Build Financial Skills Read More »
Many students enter postsecondary education lacking the personal skills and knowledge they need to achieve their education and career goals. A new guide provides strategies for postsecondary professionals to improve student success.
How Colleges Can Develop Students’ Personal Competencies Read More »
On February 23, IEL and Boston University will host a congressional briefing on how states use individualized learning plans to prepare students for college and careers.
Hill Briefing Highlights State Career, College Readiness Strategies Read More »
The IEL-led National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth recently released “By Youth, For Youth: Employment,” a youth-driven, youth-friendly employment guide
Youth Give Sound Employment Advice to Other Youth Read More »
The IEL-led National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth recently released an Info Brief entitled “Supporting Families of Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education.”
How to Support Families of Postsecondary Students with Disabilities Read More »
