The SPAN Youth Hub

The ACCESS Lab at Washington University in St. Louis is conducting a study called the EMBody study to test a brief digital program for teens who have concerns with their body image and their eating. The ACCESS Lab wants to hear from you or your teen! If eligible, you or your teen will be asked to complete 3 online surveys and will gain access to the digital program. You or your teen may be compensated up to $45 for your time. You or your teen may be eligible to participate if you/they: Are 13-19 years old Are a U.S. resident and speak English To read more about getting involved, and to take a 5-minute eligibility screen go to  https://washu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0PX2BXw3bYrT1rM?Source=SPAN  or contact study coordinator: Nathalie Gullo (E)  accesslab@wustl.edu  or 314-626-0245

Artificial intelligence (AI) has often been looked at as entirely negative, being seen as a potential threat to art, writing, and music. However, there are many helpful uses for people with disabilities. Programs like ChatGPT can make everyday tasks easier by offering features like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, live captions, language translation, image descriptions for people with limited vision, and voice assistants that help with reminders, directions, and answering questions.

Everyone faces challenges and setbacks in life. For young adults, this might mean having trouble in school, not making a team, or dealing with personal problems. These situations can be frustrating and disappointing. But even though setbacks can be difficult, they do teach important lessons. They help us learn how to solve problems, stay patient, and find new ways to reach our goals. 

As many of us sit glued to our TVs watching the World Cup, a new article from Rutgers shares an interesting guide for people with disabilities, who want to enjoy the tournament to the fullest. Leveling the Field: Accessible World Cup Experiences for All New Jersey Fans This article, “Leveling the Field: Accessible World Cup Experiences for All New Jersey Fans,” was published on the website of the The Community Living Education Project (CLEP), a program affiliated with Rutgers University that provides information and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This article is a great guide that highlights accessible seating, transportation, sensory-friendly spaces, and inclusive fan events, showing how major sporting events can still be enjoyed by everyone. In addition, helpful tips for planning ahead and finding accommodations are included. For any fútbol fans from the Garden State, this is the guide for you! You can read the full article ...

We have an exciting new resource to share, from our friends at the Arc!  The Arc and AT&T have joined forces on a nationwide program that is bringing digital skills training to people with disabilities and their families. Digital literacy is critical in today’s world to learn, apply for jobs, be socially connected, and more. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, people with disabilities are three times more likely to not go online than people without disabilities. ( Digital Literacy , The ARC, 2026) Access Training Online Training sessions are offered online free of charge and available 24/7 to complete at your own pace. Modules cover a range of topics, including: Getting started with a computer Introduction to email Navigating a website Using a mobile device Online safety, passwords, fraud, and scams And more! Check out the courses here:  https://att.digitallearn.org/

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate identity, self-expression, and the many contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that many people still face because of misunderstandings, stereotypes, and discrimination.