Center for Disabilities Studies : About Us
Located at the University of Delaware in the College of Education and Public Policy 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; and representatives from state agencies. Meetings of the CAC are held a minimum of three times a year.
The CAC for the 2009 Fiscal Year include:
Executive Committee
Laurie Nicoli, Chairperson, parent
Bob Valihura, First Vice Chairperson, advocate
Linda Heller, Second Vice Chairperson, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
Judy Brimer, Secretary, advocate
Elizabeth Nolan, At-large, self-advocate
Members
Marie-Anne Aghazadian, Parent Information Center of Delaware
Lisa Carnley, parent
Ernest Cole, Freedom Center for Independent Living
Ruth Coughlan, Special Olympics Delaware
Aaron Deede, self-advocate
Deborah Dunlap, parent
Russ Dynes, Division of Public Health
Micki Edelsohn, parent
Caitlin Gamel-McCormick, DFRC
Judy Govatos, The Arc of Delaware
Andrea Guest, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Brian Hartman, Delaware Disabilities Law Program
Kyle Hodges, State Council for Persons with Disabilities
Kevin Huckshorn, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
Yolanda Jenkins, Division of Child Mental Health Services
Dan Keating, Bancroft NeuroHealth
Pat Maichle, Developmental Disabilities Council
Karen Mancini, University
of Delaware Office of Disabilities Support Services
Melissa Tice Martin, Lower Delaware Autism Foundation
Raetta McCall, advocate
Maria Mendoza, parent
Daniese McMullin-Powell, self-advocate, State Council for Persons with Disabilities
David Michalik, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
Cory Nourie, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Terry Olson, Mosaic, Inc.
Monika Shafi, parent
Karen Smith, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
Martha Toomey, Department of Education
Rocio Viscarra, advocate
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.
