Purpose
As the federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) for the state of Missouri, the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development (IHD) supports applied research, interdisciplinary training, program development and information dissemination for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan and their families.
What is a UCEDD?
Authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (Public Law 106-402), the Missouri UCEDD is one of 67 university-based centers and part of a national network of UCEDDs in every state and territory of the United States. Each UCEDD facilitates the flow of disability-related information between the community and university. The Association for University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) connects the UCEDD network.
The UMKC-IHD exemplifies the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s goals of academic excellence and helping people reach their potential in the communities where they live.
Who does the UCEDD serve?
The UCEDD primarily serves people with developmental disabilities and their families. But we offer support to all people with disabilities and their families. Our goal is to promote independence, productivity and inclusion of individuals with disabilities into communities of their choice.
What does the UCEDD do?
The UCEDD works with local, state and national organizations to support people with developmental disabilities by building programs and activities designed to promote self-determination, independence, integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.
From birth
The UCEDD supports families and professionals who work together to meet the needs of infants, children and teens with special needs.
Through adulthood
The UCEDD provides training and technical assistance to people and systems that work to enhance the community integration, inclusion, independence and productivity of adults with disabilities.
Into maturity
The UCEDD develops exemplary systems and services to enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities as they age.
