University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)

Education

Buchanan, Ph.D. teaching LEND fellows

Research

Obesity research group meeting

Service

Physician listening to child's heart with stethoscope

UCEDD Topics

Our

Mission

The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at the

Shriver Center is dedicated to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities at all levels. The UCEDD’s mission is to provide leadership and direction so that individuals with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to make choices and lead safe, healthy, independent and productive lives.

What We Do

We accomplish our mission through training and educational programs, research, information dissemination programs and clinical services.

Our Core Funding

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), were conceived in the early 1960s as part of a comprehensive federal legislative initiative to establish programs in research, diagnosis, and treatment of mental retardation, and to educate and train professionals in the field. The

Shriver Center has one of the oldest UCEDDs in the country and has led the way in developing undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate training programs for professionals in medical and allied health fields. The UCEDD is designated by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, and is one of a national network of University Centers for Excellence that is coordinated by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.