The first university-based entities for people with developmental disabilities were first authorized in Title 1, Part B of Public Law 88-164. This Act was signed into law on October 31, 1963, by President John F. Kennedy, just 22 days before he was assassinated. The signing of Public Law 88-164, along with Public Law 88-156 signed seven says earlier, represented the initial legislation intended to implement the recommendations of the President's Panel on Mental Retardation.

Prior to signing this act, President Kennedy created the first President's Panel on Mental Retardation. The President's Panel authored a report that was among the most comprehensive, multifaceted, and well researched documents in the disability field. The concept of these university-based facilities for people with developmental disabilities came from the recommendations addressed in the Panel's report. The concept of additional support for higher education in the field of disabilities was stimulated by the possibility of federal funds for campus facilities to conduct research and provide training and clinical services.

Below are links to the original pieces of legislation that initiated development of the UCEDD network; note that many of these are scanned from hard copies:

• Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Act (Public Law 88-156)
• Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act
  (Public Law 88-164)
• Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978
• The Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984
• The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1987
• The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1990
• 45 CFR 1385-1388 (1996)
• 45 CFR 1385-1388 (2007 update)
• The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000
• 45 CFR 1325-1328 (2015 update)