University Centers for Excellence in 

Developmental Disabilities Education, 

Research, and Service (UCEDDs)

Generating knowledge to support the independence and inclusion of people with 

intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in all aspects of community life

68

UCEDDs

At least one 

in every state 

and territory.

Affiliated 

with leading 

universities.

Each UCEDD leverages the knowledge 

of the others in its work. Their strength is 

their collective knowledge as a network.

To achieve the vision of the Developmental Disabilities Act, UCEDDs:

CREATE 

more inclusive communities 

through best practices 

that improve community 

systems to meet the needs 

of people with I/DD.

WORK 

side by side with 

people with I/DD, their 

families, and communities 

to drive change. 

SHARE 

research and knowledge 

to foster impactful 

collaboration.

TEACH

the next generation of 

professionals who can and 

will make a difference.

A SOUND INVESTMENT

UCEDDs use federal 

funding for operations and 

generate 7 times that 

amount through 

partnerships and grants 

that fund their work. 

Source: Association 

of University Centers 

on Disabilities

RESEARCH AND PRACTICES

To support the work of our partners

● State Councils on Developmental Disabilities use 

UCEDD data to advocate for inclusive state policy.

● Protection & Advocacy Systems (P&As) use 

UCEDD research in legal advocacy.

● Projects of National Significance (short-term 

discretionary investments for creative problem-solving) 

use UCEDD knowledge to address emerging needs.

● Communities use UCEDD research to inform 

advocacy related to policies impacting people with 

I/DD and their families.
EDUCATION

To support communities, UCEDDs:

● Teach future professionals, in classroom and clinical settings, to serve

people with I/DD.

● Recruit and train professionals across a wide range of disciplines, to serve

as peer educators on the needs of people with I/DD.

● Disseminate critical information to increase accessibility and inclusion.

SERVICES

To directly support people with I/DD, UCEDDs: 

● Provide diagnoses, screenings, vaccinations, and therapies through clinics.

● Offer early childhood education programs to promote learning and social

engagement.

● Promote exercise and wellness in recreational settings for youths and adults.

● Share information and assist with disaster planning, response, and recovery.

● Provide opportunities for people with I/DD to influence policies and

programs intended to support them.

People with I/DD 

advance the work 

of UCEDDs by:

● Serving on

advisory councils

and helping to set

priorities.

● Participating in

research.

● Teaching and

training others.

SNAPSHOT OF SUCCESS: HOW GEORGIA’S UCEDD HELPED EVERY CHILD WITH 

I/DD LEAVE INSTITUTIONS AND SUPPORTED THEM IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

After research found that children with I/DD were 

living in institutions because their families lacked the 

supports they needed to care for them at home, the 

Institute on Human Development and Disability at 

the University of Georgia (a UCEDD) and others in 

the GA DD network moved to action. In partnership 

with other disability organizations, they created the 

Children’s Freedom Initiative (CFI). The collaboration’s 

purpose is to ensure all children with disabilities in 

Georgia can live in permanent, loving homes.

Leveraging data from a Georgia UCEDD study, which 

examined the number of children residing in nursing 

homes, CFI successfully advocated to increase 

Medicaid waiver funding and put new policies in place 

to support families. The resulting impact was that every 

child residing in Georgia’s state institutions was moved 

to a home in the community, and policies were put in 

place to ensure they wouldn’t go back.

Georgia’s DD network shared a vision that no child 

should live in an institution. The strategies CFI used 

to realize that vision were many — litigation, coalition 

building, telling children’s stories, elevating the issue 

in communities — and the UCEDD played a critical 

role, using research and data to reveal the issue and 

monitor change over time.

“

As a person with a disability, I encounter barriers and discrimination every day. 

I could spend my whole day complaining, but I don’t. UCEDDs are continuing 

to build the knowledge base we need, building leaders of tomorrow, and focusing 

on a future where we can live, work, and play like everyone else.

Executive Director, Association of University Centers on Disabilities

”

November 2023

ACL is an operating division of the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services. Learn more at ACL.gov.

To find a UCEDD, call the Disability Information 

and Access Line at 888-677-1199 or search by 

ZIP code at DIAL.ACL.gov.