Welcome to our website. The Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies is Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. CCIDS was established at UMaine in 1992 to bring together the resources of the community and the university to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families in Maine and beyond. For 32 years, CCIDS has offered interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate study; conducted research, evaluation, and policy analysis; provided community services including professional development, training, consultation and technical assistance; and, disseminated relevant current information related to our work to individuals with disabilities, families, professionals, and the community-at-large. We hope that you will find our website interesting, informative, and useful—and that you will return often to see what is new at CCIDS. Once you have spent some time on our site, please take the brief website satisfaction survey to let us know what you think. The survey can be found on the left side of many of our website’s pages.

– Alan Cobo-Lewis, Ph.D., Director

Alan Cobo-Lewis

Recent CCIDS News

Equity and Policy: A Blog from the Center

A series of metal cog wheel gears stamped with the words: potential, skill, career, ability, education, goal and vision.

October 7, 2024

Now Hiring: CCIDS Searching for a Coordinator of Dissemination and Accessibility
A sign that reads Now hiring in blue text with black outlines and shadows. Light blue background features a repeating pattern of the same words, except smaller and outlined in white.

September 17, 2024

CCIDS Searching for a Research Associate I and Research Associate II to Join Early Childhood and Education Team
Smiling young adult with Down syndrome standing next to a coworker in a restaurant setting, clearing a table of cups.

September 17, 2024

November 2024 Maine APSE Conference in Bangor: Access to Good Jobs for All
Photo collage of Zachary Johnson and Todd Nason as high school students volunteering in scientific work settings.

March 27, 2023

Two Former Students on the Spectrum Share Their Successful Transitions to College and Careers
A smiling middle aged woman with short graying hair, wearing glasses, a black vest and blue jeans, sits on large rocks with her brother, a smiling middle-aged man with thinning hair, who is wearing glasses, a blue rain jacket and khaki pants with a pair of binoculars hanging from his neck.

November 7, 2022

Watching Over Jason: A Sibling’s Story
Graphic of the Christian Cross, Islamic Crest and Star and the Jewish Star of David.

September 29, 2022

Including God in Person-Centered Planning: The Importance of Spirituality
Featured Resources

Featured Resources

The Univesity of Maine System Inclusive Education PreK-12 micro-credential ribbon with the Level 1, 2 and 3 badges under the ribbon.

Micro-Credential: Inclusive Education PreK-12

research - ideas - information screen cap from youtube video

AUCD: Growing Leaders, Driving Change

Tuesdays with Liz.

Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy for All

Our Federal Sponsors

Our National Network

Administration for Community Living
Association of University Centers on Disabilities.