Welcome!

The UCEDD Resource Center (URC) web site provides University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs) with up to date information that will support the implementation of the AIDD core grant.

The DD Act authorizes the use of funds to provide technical assistance to strengthen and support the National Network of UCEDDs. Specifically, the DD Act states that TA shall:

  • Assist in national and international dissemination of specific information from multiple Centers and, in appropriate cases, other entities whose work affects the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities;
  • Compile, analyze, and disseminate state-of-the-art training, research, and demonstration results policies, and practices from multiple Centers and, in appropriate cases, other entities whose work affects the lives of persons with developmental disabilities;
  • Convene experts from multiple Centers to discuss and make recommendations with regard to national emerging needs of individuals with developmental disabilities;
  • Develop portals that link users with every Center's website; 
  • Facilitate electronic information sharing using state-of- the-art Internet technologies such as real-time online discussions, multipoint video conferencing, and web-based audio/video broadcasts, on emerging topics that impact individuals with disabilities and their families;
  • Serve as a research-based resource for Federal and State policymakers on information concerning and issues impacting individuals with developmental disabilities and entities that assist or serve those individuals; or 
  • Undertake any other functions that the Secretary determines to be appropriate; to promote the viability and use of the resources and expertise of the Centers nationally and internationally.

This web site is supported through AIDD's contract with AUCD to provide technical assistance to the national network of UCEDDs.

 
 

What's New

 

UCEDD Tip Sheets

Tip Sheets are intended to provide guidance and share peer practices of specific aspects of UCEDD operations, grant management, and core grant application development. Tip sheets clarify requirements outlined in the DD Act, related federal regulations, and/or AIDD's Quality Review System processes as appropriate; and also share experiences and recommendations from network peers.

 
 

8/22/2017

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Curriculum

Using the free Moodle learning management system platform, Vanderbilt LEND has worked with experts from across the country to create a set of curriculum resources (readings, assignments, discussion prompts, case studies, additional resources, etc.) on more than 30 different Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD) topics - from early identification of Autism and hearing in children to positive behavior support, Special Education Part B Services, and sexual health for individuals with disabilities. These modules, which can be updated and added to as needed, are housed on a central Moodle site and pushed out to individual programs / centers for customization.

 
 

7/27/2017

Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities (MT UCEDD)

Dr. Rosemary Hughes was invited to serve as faculty at the 2017 Montana Victim Advocate Academy. It was the first time in the Academy's history that the topic of victims with disabilities has been a stand-alone session. The 40-hour academy provides training to dozens of law enforcement officers, attorneys and victim advocates from across Montana and neighboring western states.

 
 

7/24/2017

Diversity Fellowship Capstone Project (ND UCEDD)

By Bailee Laducer, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot State University

My name is Bailee Laducer and I have spent the last six months as the diversity fellow at NDCPD. I am an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (TMBCI) and am from the reservation located in Belcourt, North Dakota. As the diversity fellow, I identified one of the biggest needs we have is encouraging young people from my community to get training to work in disability related fields. The Director of the Native American Cultural Center at Minot State University (MSU) and I came up with the idea of hosting a Spring Bridges event where we invited 9th through 12th graders from the Turtle Mountain Community High School to visit the MSU campus for an entire day with the purpose of learning about disability studies and human service degree programs. We wanted to expose students to a field they probably would not otherwise consider, meet various faculty members, tour the small campus, and introduce them to the supportive environment of the Native American Cultural Center.

 
 

7/17/2017

Justice System and People with Disabilities Focus of New MN UCEDD Publication

The newly-released "Impact: Feature Issue on the Justice System and People with Intellectual, Developmental, and Other Disabilities" (ici.umn.edu/products/impact301) from the Institute on Community Integration (MN UCEDD) offers justice professionals, disability professionals, people with disabilities, and their families leading-edge articles that help communities work together to support equal access to justice for all. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities can face unique challenges, with potentially serious consequences, when involved with the juvenile or criminal justice systems.

 
 

7/12/2017

Julie Christensen Named Director of Iowa's UCEDD

On July 1, Julie Christensen, MSW, PhD, assumed the leadership of Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) at University of Iowa Health Care. For the past year, she has served as Associate Director of the Iowa UCEDD, working under the mentorship of Bob Bacon, who directed the Iowa UCEDD since 1998 and is set to retire on July 17.

 
 

6/7/2017

OHSU & UW Study Genetic Contributions to Autism

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and the University of Washington (UW) are conducting a study on genetic contributions to autism, involving identical twins. The study is funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) and seeks to better understand how genetic changes that occur early in development might lead to autism. In particular, the researchers are seeking pairs of identical twins who are discordant for autism (that is, one has any autism spectrum diagnosis and one does not) to help answer this important question.