Who are we?

About the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD)
"Partners across the lifespan"

The Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) is Utah's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Services (UCEDD). Our mission statement expresses both our values and the ways in which we choose to work:

"We collaborate with partners to strengthen families and individuals across the lifespan through education, policy, research and services."

The CPD is part of a national network of UCEDD's The mission of the CPD is mandated in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. The purpose of UCEDD's is to "Provide leadership, advise policymakers, and otherwise promote opportunities for individuals with disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life."

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How do we work?

The CPD accomplishes its mission through interdisciplinary education, exemplary services, technical assistance, research and evaluation, and dissemination of information. Its work is conducted through some 70 programs and projects funded primarily through external grants and contracts.

A Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) composed of individuals with disabilities, family members, and staff liaisons advises the CPD director about the Center's impact on systems change, advocacy, and capacity building. The CAC approves the CPD's annual goals and regularly reviews progress towards their accomplishment.

Consumer Advisory Committee Members
Bill Salerno, Self Advocate Matt Knotts, Executive Director Disability Law Center Claire Mantonya, Exec Director State DD Council Helen Post, Executive Director Utah Parent Center Ben Jenkins, Self Advocate Bryon Murray, Representative Advocacy Organizations Sachin Pavithran, Assistive Technology Representative Utah Assistive Technology Program	Connie Pehrson, CHAIR Family representative Jason Jones, VICE CHAIR Self Advocate Gib Duncan Family Representative Blake Savage Self Advocate Sra. Adriana Suarez Family Representative EX OFFICIO members: Gordon Richins, CPD Consumer Liaison Sarah Rule, CPD Director Cyndi Rowland, Associate Director Marty Blair, Asst Director for Policy

The CPD Advisory Council advises CPD administrators about University and community matters. Council members include representatives from the University, community and state agencies, and individuals with a broad range of disabilities.

CPD Advisory Council Members

Carol Strong, CHAIR Dean, College of Education/USU Brent Miller, Vice President Office of Research/USU David Stein, Department Head Department of Psychology/USU Ben Lignugaris/Kraft, Department Head Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation/USU Beth Foley, Department Head Dept of Communicative Disorders/ Deaf Education/USU Kirk Allen (1996) Director Special Education Logan City School District Ben Jenkins Student Representative Laurie Ballam Family Representative

Vickie Brenchley Family Representative Connie Pehrson Family Representative; Chair, CAC Don Uchida Family Representative; Agency Representative State Office of Rehabilitation Services Helen Roth Self Advocate Ron Mecham Self Advocate Sandra Anderson Family Representative Jane Nielsen Self Advocate EX OFFICIO members: Sarah Rule, CPD, Director Cyndi Rowland, CPD Associate Director Marty Blair, CPD Assistant Director for Policy Gordon Richins, CPD Consumer Liaison Jim Dorward, CEHS Associate Dean for Research

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The Center is organized into divisions:

Administration Division The Administration Division supports all CPD programs. It operates the Business Office, reception services, and technical services including computer networking and support. In addition, this Division is home to several projects that focus upon technology. These include a distance education program to prepare teachers to work in early childhood special education classrooms, KSAR - a full production media group, and projects that provide assistance in making eletronically transmitted information accessible to people with disabilities. The Utah Assistive Technology Program serves the entire state. http://www.cpd.usu.edu/division.php?id=1

Biomedical Division The Biomedical Division includes the medical service unit and the immunology/genetic research laboratory. The Division provides medical services related to disabilities and conducts research to determine causes, prevention, and effective intervention. Research on autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia is ongoing. The division supports a variety of specialty clinics. http://www.cpd.usu.edu/divisions/biomedical.php http://www.cpd.usu.edu/division.php?id=2

Research & Evaluation Division (Early Intervention Research Institute ) Researchers at the Early Intervention Research Institute (EIRI) investigate the effectiveness and associated costs of early intervention and supports for families, infants and children who have disabilities or may be at developmental risk. EIRI staff provide technical assistance, facilitate the development of service systems, and disseminate information. EIRI also focuses on the family's role in intervention and on understanding this role from both practice and impact perspectives. The Division provides leadership education to state teams to promote coordinated services for children with special health care needs. http://eiri.usu.edu/

Exemplary Services Division The Exemplary Services Division serves a wide range of individuals of all ages. Their goal is to improve the quality of life by working in partnership with individuals with disabilities and their families. The Division provides early intervention services to families in northern Utah and assists individuals with disabilities and their families through clinical evaluation and in identifying effective interventions. Additionally, the Exemplary Services Division provides interdisciplinary training to both undergraduate and graduate students from various academic departments. Their programs offer students the opportunity to experience service delivery under the supervision of mentors from various fields http://www.cpd.usu.edu/division.php?id=3

Interdisciplinary Training (IDT) IDT offers preservice and continuing education for graduate and undergraduate students, professionals, paraprofessionals and family members. IDT programs prepare tomorrow's leaders by providing unique opportunities for individuals from many disciplines to interact and learn in seminars, workshops, and clinical settings. On teams with faculty mentors, students participate in interactive seminars to learn about the complex relationship between society and individuals with disabilities. Teams also provide services and supports to children and adults with disabilities and their families and participate in research activities. IDT projects offer opportunities to gain experience in disability-related research, teaching, service delivery, policy development, and advocacy. The Division also conducts training, research and evaluation to improve community supports for people with disabilities. http://www.cpd.usu.edu/division.php?id=4

Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center (MPRRC) The MPRRC staff provides technical assistance to state education agencies in developing quality programs and services for children with disabilities. The MPRRC staff identifies and analyzes persisting issues associated with the provision of special education services, links education agencies across locales to develop procedures to address issues, and supports them in their efforts to adopt new technologies and effective practices. The MPRRC serves Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs http://www.usu.edu/mprrc/

Outreach Division The Outreach Division disseminates information about the CPD. Print, video, and software materials are made available to assist people with disabilities and their families through a lending library. The Division publishes and disseminates periodic publications free of charge. Staff also operate the Bear River Adult Skill Center, an adult training and rehabilitation program and conduct evaluation and training projects in areas such as prevention of violence against women with disabilities http://www.cpd.usu.edu/division.php?id=5

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What do we do?

EDUCATION

The CPD offers educational opportunities for students, community members, and professionals in fields ranging from business to heath care. Representing more than 14 disciplines, our specialized staff offer mentoring through the interdisciplinary training program and courses offered in academic departments. We offer unique opportunities to participate in supervised research and clinical experiences. Research addresses issues that cross fields ranging from biomedicine to education. In clinical experiences, learners join teams of professionals, family members, and individuals with disabilities to deliver services and supports. Stipends and assistantships are available.

Education also includes outreach to the public and private sectors nationally and internationally. Training is offered on the internet and through videoconferencing as well as in traditional formats such as workshop and on site technical assistance. Topics vary widely. Programs and projects provide technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, families, professionals and paraprofessionals, policymakers and students.

RESEARCH

Research at the CPD is both basic and applied. Basic research is conducted on topics such as physiological causes of specific disabilities. Applied research is aimed at discovery of effective intervention strategies, evaluation of services and supports, and development of technology tools such as software and assistive devices. Research in areas such as autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and early intervention is ongoing. Participatory action research is employed across divisions. This involves those who are intended to benefit from the research in its planning, implementation, and evaluation.

SERVICES

The CPD provides a variety of community services. These include:
  - Early intervention with families of children aged birth to three who
    have developmental disabilities or are at risk for disability
  - Rehabilitation and education in life skills for adults with significant disabilities
  - Interdisciplinary clinical diagnostic and evalution
  - Medical services
  - Family supports directed to link individuals from diverse cultures to community-based services

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Who Works at the CPD?

The CPD employs over 250 staff members. If you know someone's name, and would like to reach them, you can click on "Staff List" to locate their telephone number and e-mail address. If you need assistance locating someone, please contact us:

Center for Persons with Disabilities
6800 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-6800

Phone:(435) 797-1981
Toll-free 1-866-284-2821
Fax 435-797-3944

Contact page

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It's About People Video

It's About People Video

CPD Logos

Logos are available for screen and print.
If you would like them please contact Kelleen Smith

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