The AUCD and the programs within
- Mar 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 7
Universities across the country play an important role in the efforts towards research, training, and inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). There are numerous IDD related organizations that are affiliated with universities across each of the 50 states.
The Association of University Centers (AUCD) is an organization that is member based, consisting of nearly 150 programs that are connected to universities that specialize in different disciplines pertaining to the enhancement of individuals with developmental disabilities, and the research of IDD. The purpose of AUCD is to advance policy and resources for individuals with developmental disabilities. All of these programs are grant funded programs and play a pivotal role in enhancing the future of individuals with developmental disabilities. Among the near 150 programs, there are programs to that fall are under the following names:
UCEDD - University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
LEND - Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
IDDRC - Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers
DBP - Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training
UCEDD
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEEDs) provide many important functions in connecting their affiliated universities to the community. Their core functions include but are not limited to continuing education, basic and applied research, public policy analysis, information dissemination, community services, etc. In addition, UCEDDs take on national training initiatives, among other major national projects. There are currently 67 UCEDDs across the country, including one in each state.
LEND
Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) programs serve by providing graduate-level training in IDD related programs. These programs are typically for self advocates as well as family members and professionals in the field. The program goals include but are not limited to providing interdisciplinary leadership training, increasing professionals trained for individuals with developmental disabilities, increasing self advocacy training and practice, etc. There are currently 60 LEND programs across the country. Each of them typically have a unique approach to their operation and training, but all of them emphasize the importance of training self advocates, family members, professionals in the field, etc.
IDDRC
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) serve the purpose of improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through scientific research. Their four core objectives are stimulating multidisciplinary research, cultivating the next generation of IDD researchers, enhancing research through state of the art technology and facilities, and to enhance IDD research through collaborations amongst other IDDRC groups as well as other organizations. There are currently 16 IDDRCs across the country.
DBP
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) Training Programs serve the purpose of expanding the DBP workforce so that there is increased access to evaluation and services for children with developmental disabilities and behavioral concerns. There are currently 13 DBPs across the country.
Summary
In total, the AUCD is a valuable network of different programs, UCEDD, LEND, IDDRC, and DBP, that help improve the lives, research, and training for individuals with developmental disabilities. These are all great programs to learn more about and to utilize if you need further resources.
Sources: https://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm, https://www.aucd.org/directory/directory.cfm?program=UCEDD, https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/national-network-university, https://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm, https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/national-network-university
