University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Act as Bridge Between Universities and Communities
In observance of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living is featuring guest blogs from leaders in the disability community. In his guest blog, Andrew Imparato, J.D., executive director of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, describes how University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) work to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are included within and beyond the halls of academia. The Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) is Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and part of a national network of centers congressionally authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. CCIDS conducts interdisciplinary education, research, and community engagement activities to positively affect the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout Maine and beyond.