Center for Disabilities Studies : About Us
Located at the University of Delaware in the College of Education and Human Development, the Center for Disabilities Studies is one of over sixty University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in the country.
Community Advisory Council
The Center for Disabilities Studies is supported with its work through the contribution of their Community Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC is composed of individuals with developmental disabilities and related disabilities; family members of individuals with developmental disabilities; representatives from disability-related training, service, and advocacy organizations; representatives from state agencies; and other disabilities advocates. Meetings of the CAC are held a four times a year.
Current CAC members are:
Executive Committee
Bob Valihura, Chairperson, Advocate
Cory Ellen Nourie, First Vice Chairperson, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Linda Heller, Second Vice Chairperson, Self-advocate
Deborah Dunlap, Secretary, Parent
Rocio Viscarra, At-large Representative, Self-advocate
Members
Marie-Anne Aghazadian, Parent Information Center of Delaware
Deborah Bradl, Parent
Tim Brooks, Parent
Linda Bruner, Self-advocate
Lisa Carnley, Parent
Anthony Carter, JEVS Human Services
Ernest Cole, Freedom Center for Independent Living
Ruth Coughlan, Special Olympics Delaware
Bobbie Jo DeHaven, Self-advocate
Robert Doyle, Division for the Visually Impaired
Micki Edelsohn, Parent
Caitlin Gamel-McCormick, DFRC
Martha Gregor,
Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services
Brian Hartman, Delaware Disabilities Law Program
Kyle Hodges, State Council for Persons with Disabilities
Kathy Hughes, Advocate
Laura Kelly, Self-advocate
Jane Luke, Parent
Daniel Madrid, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Patricia Maichle, Developmental Disabilities Council
Karen Mancini, Parent
Susan Mateja, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
Mary Ann Mieczkowski, Exceptional Children Resources, Department of Education
Laurie Nicoli, Parent
Dara Schumaier, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Pamela Scott, The Arc of Delaware
Monika Shafi, Parent
Della Thomas, Delaware School for the Deaf
Martha Toomey, Parent
Janet Villarreal, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
Carl Wexler, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
If you would like more information on the CAC, please contact Michele Sands at 302-831-3038.
Our partners
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
CDS is a member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). AUCD is a national network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice through research, education, leadership and services for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families and communities.
Administration on Developmental Disabilities
The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is the U.S. Government organization responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, known as the DD Act. ADD, its staff and programs, are part of the Administration for Children and Families, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
