UCEDD
Directors
Director
Alan K. Percy, M.D.
Co-director
Visit
our regularly updated Consumer Affairs web
site.
Clinical Services
Clinical
services at the Alabama UCEDD are provided through UAB
Sparks Clinics.
Sparks Clinics provides multi-disciplinary evaluations and a wide
range of clinical resources related to developmental disabilities
and counseling for families seeking resources in the community.
Our Network Partners in Alabama
The Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) has 36 members who coordinate activities in advocacy, capacity building, and systems change. These initiatives contribute to a coordinated system of community services that are directed by people with developmental disabilities. Many important resources are available on this site.
The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) web site features a wide range of services focusing upon the rights of persons with developmental disabilities. It is part of a national federally mandated protection and advocacy system.
The UAB MCH Collaborative Network provides a network for the promotion of shared MCH training, technical assistance and research at UAB. UAB is unique in that it has four MCHB interdisciplinary training grants on campus.
UCEDD Mission Statement The above link provides an overview of the Alabama University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD). This statement provides information about our UCEDD's goals and information on how consumers can contact us to become involved with UCEDD activities.
Organization
of the Alabama UCEDD
Click here for a chart depicting
the current organization of the Alabama UCEDD at UAB in the Adobe
Acrobat format.
Links to Ongoing Research of Interest to Consumers
Click the link above to view an Adobe Acrobat version of the Alabama UAP brochure. (Note): We will be updating our brochure to reflect the new terminology and programs of the UCEDDs.Click here for a link on the AUCD web site for a detailed description of the UCDD concept.
Web Contact:
This
web site is maintained by Jim Willett at the UAB Civitan International
Research Center.
Alabama's University Center for
Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD)What Is a University Center for Developmental Excellence in Disabilities Education, Research and Service?
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD), are part of a national network of university-based programs formerly known as University Affiliated Programs (UAPs), that work to improve the lives of persons with developmental disabilities and their families so that they may become more fully integrated into their communities and lead productive and independent lives. UCEDDs receive funding from the U.S. government and provide leadership in the field of developmental disabilities, upgrading and broadening the skills of professionals and caregivers to ensure the rights of persons with developmental disabilities. The network also extends to our partners in Alabama with whom we collaborate in a wide range of programs related to developmental disabilities education, information dissemination, technical assistance, continuing education, and advocacy.
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is the national association representing a nationwide network of university interdisciplinary centers participating in a variety of programs including: Developmental Disability Research Centers (DDRCs), University Centers for Excellence (UCEDDs), and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disorders (LEND).
The AUCD web site contains a wealth of information about UCDD's, DDRC's and LEND programs. Click here for a link on the AUCD web site that provides a detailed description of the UCEDD concept and history.
Click here to load a brochure (PDF format) that lists the current UCEDDs and provides and overview of program activities and history on the AUCD web site.
What is a developmental disability?
The U.S. government defines “developmental disability” as a severe, chronic disability of a person that:
- is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of the two;
- is manifested before the person attains the age of 22;
- is likely to continue indefinitely;
- results in substantial functional limits in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency;
- reflects the person’s need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment or other services which are life-long or of extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
Our State
Complex health and socio-economic conditions in Alabama contribute to cause a high incidence of developmental delay and developmental disabilities in the population, especially among impoverished minority children. Alabama’s accident/injury rates are among the highest of any state. It is estimated that there are more than 40,000 people with mental retardation in Alabama, and that mental retardation in some way touches one out of every four families in Alabama.
The Alabama UCEDD was one of 20 original programs established by federal law more than 30 years ago. Now there are more than 61 UCEDDs with at least one located in every state and territory of the US (formerly called University Affiliated Programs or UAPs). A national organization, The Association of University Centers on Disabilities coordinates the work of all UAPs in a mission to support the independence, productivity, and community integration of all citizens with developmental disabilities. Guided by legislation spanning more than 35 years, UCEDDs. have created a broad range of programs with the following cornerstones:
- interdisciplinary training of professionals
- creating and replicating exemplary service programs
- conducting needed research
- providing technical assistance
- sharing information gained from research.
Our Network Partners in Alabama
The Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) has 36 members who coordinate activities in advocacy, capacity building, and systems change. These initiatives contribute to a coordinated system of community services that are directed by people with developmental disabilities. Many important resources are available on this site.
The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) web site features a wide range of services focusing upon the rights of persons with developmental disabilities. It is part of a national federally mandated protection and advocacy system.
The purpose of the UAB MCH Collaborative Network is to provide a network for the promotion of shared MCH training, technical assistance and research at UAB. UAB is unique in that it has four MCHB interdisciplinary training grants on campus. This purpose will be accomplished by shared continuing education and technical assistance efforts, interdisciplinary graduate and post-graduate leadership training, information dissemination, advocacy around MCH issues, collaborative research and grants support, and trainee recruitment.
UAB Official Web Site DisclaimerUAB Links and Information
You may visit the main list of UAB departmental and staff web sites by clicking here.
The UAB online telephone and email search engine is available by clicking here.
Illustration Credit: Artwork reprinted by permission of Martha Perske from PERSKE: Pencil Portraits (1971-1990) and Circles of Friends (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998).