Nevada University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (NVUCED)

Our mission is to cooperatively work with consumers, agencies, and programs to assist Nevadans with developmental disabilities of all ages to be independent and productive citizens who are included in their communities. This mission is accomplished by providing interdisciplinary training, offering model exemplary services, conducting interdisciplinary evaluation, disseminating information on developmental disabilities and service options, providing technical assistance, and conducting relevant research and evaluation studies.

In accomplishing the mission, the NVUCED adheres to the following beliefs and values:

Individuals with developmental disabilities contribute to their families, friends, communities, and society. Individuals with disabilities should have the opportunity to participate with their peers without disabilities in all aspects of life, including education, employment, housing, transportation, and recreation. Individuals with disabilities and their families have the right to make informed choices. To make informed choices, complete information on the full range of potential service, employment, recreation, and living options must be provided. Individuals with disabilities have the right to live as independently as possible. Performing meaningful work is essential to a quality life for all people including those with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities should have the right to benefit from non-aversive strategies for behavior change. Individuals with disabilities should have access to the full range of adaptive and assistive technology to achieve maximal independence. Services for individuals with disabilities of all ages and their families should be developed with plans for the different life transitions. Service providers must recognize the critical role of families and work to enable individuals with disabilities and their families to play a greater role in service determination. Professionals have the responsibility to communicate and work cooperatively to provide individuals with disabilities and their families with coordinated, integrated services in a holistic manner. Prevention of a disability is preferable to its remediation. Communication and collaboration between universities, state agencies, private service providers, and consumers are critical to the development of a system of quality services. Effective research and evaluation must be an integral component of service provision.

Internet Resources Relevant to Disabilities

Family Village
A global community of disability-related issues

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
This is the home page of the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC)

Frank Porter Graham (FPG) Child Development Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
This site has information on a variety of issues about serving children with disabilities from birth through five.

Disability Resources on the Internet, Evan Kemp Associates.
This home page has one of the largest collections of disability resources and connections on the internet.

Down Syndrome Family Empowerment
This page focuses on Down Syndrome, but also contains a great deal of information that is relevant for all children with disabilities.

American Association of University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

AUCD NIRS