About IHD

Who we are

The Institute for Human Development is a research and training program located on campus at Northern Arizona University. Our program is part of a national network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

What is UCEDD?

University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) exist in every state. Each one serves as a resource for its community in the areas of education, research, and service, as related to the needs of people who have developmental disabilities.

Established by President Kennedy’s Panel on Mental Retardation, the University Center on Disabilities are meant to serve as a bridge between universities and communities. The reciprocal exchange of information between the community and its universities promotes better personnel preparation and the creation of better systems of service for the benefit of people with disabilities.

The network of UCEDDs in the United States is authorized by the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 and funded by the Administration of Developmental Disabilities by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

AZ Developmental Disabilities Network Info Sheet

As Arizona’s University Center on Disabilities, the Institute for Human Development is responsible for the development and implementation of four core program areas:

interdisciplinary training
community services
research
dissemination

We support over 20 statewide training, research, technical assistance, and model service projects developed through collaboration among the university, consumers, and state and local agencies.

Visit the Association of University Centers on Disabilities for locations of other UCEDDs in the United States, or contact Thomas.Uno@nau.edu for more information about Arizona’s University Center on Disabilities.

Our staff and supporters

The Institute for Human Development is staffed by university faculty and professionals who represent a wide range of human service disciplines.

Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC)

Our consumer advisory committee includes consumers, parents, service agency personnel, and private providers who assist the Institute for Human Development by:

identifying statewide training, service, and research needs
participating in the development of the program goals objectives and activities
developing program standards, criteria, and outcome measures
conducting program reviews and evaluations

Interdisciplinary Training Council (ITC)

We are also supported by a council composed of faculty members who serve as liaisons between the Institute and the academic training areas that relate to the field of disabilities. The council assists with: