Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities

2017

The Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (KUCDD) has a rich history of research, model development, policy development, outreach, training, technical assistance and advocacy with regard to and in support of people with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. KUCDD has been effective for more than 35 years because of strong, nationally visible leadership, strong university and state support and collaboration, and a network of PIs and researchers who are recognized leaders in their discipline specialties. The overall director of KUCDD, Michael Wehmeyer, Ph.D., has extensive experience in the field of DD and has an international reputation in research, model development and other activities to promote self-determination for people with intellectual and DD. KUCDD's three sites, at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, the KU Main Campus in Lawrence, and in Parsons, have strong leadership (Chet Johnson, M.D., Michael Wehmeyer, Ph.D., David Lindeman, Ph.D.) and contribute uniquely to the overall mission of KUCDD. KUCDD benefits from its capacity to leverage resources through grants and contracts from its more than 50 affiliated faculty and its working relationship with other KU research centers. The KUCDD is organizationally housed in the internationally visible Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies (LSI), directed by Dr. John Columbo. LSI is the largest research center at KU and is the home for KUCDD as well as research centers such as the Beach Center on Disability, the Juniper Gardens Children's Project, and the Research and Training Center on Independent Living. Moreover, KUCDD is affiliated with the KU Department of Special Education which has been consistently named the #1 public graduate program in special education in the country by U.S. News and World Reports. During the current 5 year period, the KUCDD is involved in a a comprehensive five-year plan to achieve the ADD mission for UCEDs, with major goals and objectives identified in eleven areas: inclusive communities; assistive technology; family supports; early childhood services; inclusive schools; high-school adult-life transitions; communication and language disorders; challenging behaviors; social policy; cultural diversity; and UCE core activities. These comprehensive goals incorporate activities across all ADD core areas and include training, service, technical assistance, and research and demonstration activities. KUCDD will be able to achieve these goals both because of the considerable opportunities for collaboration within KU but also because of the extensive collaboration within the state with the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Kansas Protection and Advocacy agency, and other entities that constitute the Kansas Developmental Disabilities Network. The proposal describes the KUCDD commitment to consumer-directed and controlled services and supports; promoting and enhancing self-determination and self-advocacy; supporting families and promoting a better quality of life for individuals and families; linking technology to people who can use it; promoting inclusive schools and community integration and inclusion; providing high-quality, consumer-responsive medical supports; providing interprofessional training opportunities for workers in the field and graduate students; and conducting high quality research upon which to build treatments and interventions.

UCEDD, Kansas, Lawrence, Parsons, Kansas City

Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Housing-Related Activities, Transportation-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban

State, National

N/A