About Us (Read More)

Over the intervening 28 years, Congress, in response to efforts by people within the disability community, has modified and expanded legislation concerning individuals with developmental disabilities. The fundamental change wrought by the disability community, however, is Congress now views individuals with disabilities not as disabled people who need help living their lives but as individuals with the same rights as citizens without disabilities. Individuals whose human potential can blossom if given the same opportunities as able bodied citizens. University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities have, at times, led the way in bringing about this change in perspective and, in general, reflect this change. UCEDDs still train service providers, but they also serve as change agents working to achieve independence, productivity and community inclusion and participation for persons with developmental disabilities. By helping to coordinate fiscal and human resources to expand opportunities and options that at one time were not available to citizens with disabilities, UCEDDs seek to fulfill their stated mission.

CENTER ON DISABILITIES AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (CDHD)

In 1988, the Center on Disabilities and Human Development (CDHD) began operations as a free standing center. Based on a feasibility study sponsored by the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Idaho’s College of Education submitted a proposal for the Center to become a full status University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). In 1992 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Developmental Disabilities funded the Center as a full status UCEDD operating with the name of the Idaho Center on Developmental Disabilities. In 1998 the Idaho Center on Developmental Disabilities changed its name to the Center on Disabilities and Human Development to more fully reflect the breadth of the CDHD's activities.

Operating as an autonomous unit of the University of Idaho’s College of Education, the CDHD cultivates collaboration with many disciplines including: Agriculture, Architecture, Business, Counseling, Education, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Political Science, Psychology, Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation. The CDHD also serves as a liaison between the academic world and the developmental disabilities service delivery system for Idaho. To achieve its goals, the Center cooperates with many regional and national organizations including United Cerebral Palsy, Opportunities Unlimited, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Idaho Parents Unlimited, and People First to name but a few. Services provided by the Center address needs from infancy through old age, and the CDHD has been effective working across the state with special interest groups including rural and remote communities, Native American and Hispanic, as well as elderly populations. To maximize participation numerous Center training and informational brochures are available in Spanish and Braille.

The CDHD is committed to building a skilled interdisciplinary work force that can meet the needs of people with disabilities by striving for full integration of college disciplines and attracting a diverse staff. In recent years the Center’s staff included engineers, motor development specialists, psychologists, architects, family/child life specialists, nurses, foresters and wildlife biologists. The CDHD currently operates a variety of independent grant programs and carries out training, services, technical assistance, research and dissemination activities across the state and nation. To meets its goals the CDHD engages in exemplary activities across five areas:

Interdisciplinary training and preparation of students and fellows for employment in leadership and direct service positions;
Direct Services and demonstration projects which include family and individual support, personal assistance services, and infant monitoring;
Community training and technical assistance , which is incorporated into all CDHD projects and focused on activities with individuals with developmental disabilities, families, professionals, paraprofessionals, policy makers, students, and volunteers;
Research and validation of new ideas and "promising practices" and contributions to the development of new knowledge in the field of developmental disabilities;
Dissemination of information and research findings to individuals with developmental disabilities, families, professionals, paraprofessionals, policy makers, students and volunteers.