The AUCD Network is made up of 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), 52 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LENDs) programs, and 14 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRCs). All of AUCD’s members have unique strengths that they share with one another and the greater disability community. By working together, UCEDDs, LENDs, IDDRCs, and their faculty and staff engage in significant research that informs national policy and best practices, and train the next generation of leaders in the disability field. To find the member center or expert nearest you, visit our online Network Directory
About AUCD
Featured Stories
AUCD is a network of people filled with talent and passion. Following are profiles of eight innovative and powerful leaders in our network, selected this year to showcase a range of partnerships and activities across the network. These people and their work have a tremendous impact on the people and their communities.
NH State Representative Joelle Martin Honored by New Futures With Legislator of the Year Award
Rep. Joelle Martin, NH-ME LEND graduate, was recently honored with the New Hampshire Legislator of the Year award by New Futures, New Hampshire’s leading health policy, and advocacy organization. Continue reading…
Bijal Dipak Lal, ProFellow 2019
My life as a Fellow at the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University has been an incredible eye-opener. It is inspiring to see how diversity is embraced at every level. From early childhood, measures are set to provide the best accommodations and services to ensure every individual’s success.
Meet Kurt Vogel: Staff, Advocate, Trainee, Leader
Kurt Vogel is one of the newest full-time staff members at the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) within the School of Public Health at Georgia State University, one of Georgia’s UCEDDs. Kurt is an administrative professional specializing in technology assistance and advocacy. He is also taking on the role of Self Advocacy Faculty within the Georgia LEND Program. Kurt is a graduate of Georgia Tech’s Excel (Expanding Career, Education, and Leadership) inclusive college program. In 2016-17, Kurt was a Georgia LEND trainee within the Individual Advocate discipline, and he participated in the 2019 AUCD Leadership Academy. During college, Kurt completed a summer internship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and interned part-time at CATEA, Georgia Tech’s Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access in the College of Design.
Vanderbilt Kennedy Center IDDRC Researcher Shares Largest Neuroimaging Dataset on Math Development
Vanderbilt University neuroscientist and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Investigator James R. Booth is making available the largest known neuroimaging dataset on math development. His goal in doing so is to support the work of other researchers across the world who are working to understand how arithmetic skills develop in childhood.
Film Documents Crisis in Direct Support Workforce
Where it all comes together for people with disabilities is with their Direct Support Professional [DSP],” says Ronnie Polaneczky. “DSPs are doing some of the hardest work ever and they’re being paid terribly. How could we make the linchpin for all that so unstable? That’s insanity.”
2019 Financials
AUCD is a 501(c)3 organization with a $6.4 million budget. The majority (64%) of AUCD’s income comes from grants and contracts; and the remainder comes from things like membership dues, event registrations, and private donations. AUCD works to keep our operations efficient, using the maximum available resources to further the goals of our strategic plan. Continue reading…
2019 Charitable Giving
AUCD is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is grateful for a thriving donor base. Gifts to AUCD support a variety of activities including amplifying the voices of people with disabilities, expanding opportunities for students and emerging leaders. Continue reading…