Three New University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Join National Network

October 26, 2006

SILVER SPRING, MD

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is pleased to announce and welcome three new University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Service into its network (UCEDD). The new Centers are the M.I.N.D. Institute at University of California Davis in Sacramento; the Sonoran UCEDD at the University of Arizona in Tucson; and the Marcus Institute, in Atlanta, GA, which is affiliated with the Emory University School of Medicine.

The three new Centers were recently awarded core grants through the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are now 67 UCEDDs-at least one in every state and territory and two in the most populated states that have large unserved or underserved populations. Each UCEDD is affiliated with a major research university and provides interdisciplinary education, leadership training, research, and direct services to people with developmental and other disabilities across the lifespan and their families. UCEDDs were initially created over four decades ago beginning with eight Centers with the enactment of Public Law 88-164 (1963) and are currently authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (PL 106-402).

Through the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the network of independent yet interlinked Centers represents a tremendous national resource for addressing issues relevant to people with disabilities and their families. Using advance information technology, the network of UCEDDs is able to respond quickly to emerging state, national, and international needs. This national network embraces the concept that the quality of life for people with disabilities is built upon the values of choice, self-determination, full participation and person and family-centered supports. Together, UCEDDs work to achieve a shared vision where all people-including individuals with disabilities-participate fully in their communities.

For more information about the work of UCEDDs and a directory of Centers, please visit the AUCD website at www.aucd.org.

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