Welcome to the Center for Disabilities Studies
The mission of the Center for Disabilities Studies is to enhance the lives of individuals and families in Delaware through education, prevention, service, and research related to disabilities. We promote independence and productivity so individuals and families can fully participate in the life of the community.
As a research and public service center at the University of Delaware, the Center for Disabilities Studies relies on public and private support from individuals, corporations, foundations and state and federal entities to operate its programs. All gifts to the Center for Disabilities Studies are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Our activities are separated into initiatives by age group: Early Childhood, School Age, and Adults. We also provide Community Education, University Education, and Research and Evaluation crossing the three main initiative areas. More about CDS >>
News from CDS
Agencies section of Connecting the Dots is Updated
The Center for Disabilities Studies has updated the information included in the "agencies" section of Connect the Dots.. This guide to finding services for people with disabilities in Delaware originally was published in October 2006. Both the original Connecting the Dots and a new document with information about agencies, correct as of February 2009, are available in the publications section of this website.
Martha Buell Appointed Director of Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood
Martha J. Buell, professor of human development and family studies, has been appointed director of the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood. The institute will operate as part of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy and will address training, technical assistance, and quality programming for the early care and education system in Delaware.
The Institute was begun by the Center for Disabilities (CDS) through funding from the Delaware Department of Education. New Directions Early Head Start director Heidi Beck and Debbie Amsden, CDS project leader of early childhood initiatives at CDS, worked with staff from Family & Workplace Connection (FWC), a division of Children and Families First, to fully establish the Institute in HDFS. Debbie Amsden will serve as coordinator and Evelyn Keating, formerly of FWC, will manage professional development initiatives for the institute. Moneick Hancock will continue to manage some CDS projects that are funded by the Delaware Department of Education and are now part of the institute, including full-day kindergarten evaluation and the Delaware early childhood longitudinal study.
The institute will work closely with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Early Care and Education Council, and private and nonprofit entities such as Nemours Health and Prevention Services. Designed to support the workforce and programming services for children aged six weeks to twelve years of age in early care and education settings, the institute will also work with federal agencies and private foundations.
"Darius Goes West" Screening a Success
Close to 100 people viewed the award-winning documentary "Darius Goes West" on March 16 in Gore Recital Hall at the Roselle Center for the Arts. Following the screening, they had the opportunity to meet Darius Weems and several members of the "crew" that made the cross-county journey with him. Their journey took place over three weeks in to summer of 2005 to create more awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the disease that 18-year-old Darius has, with the goal of getting his wheelchair customized on MTV's “Pimp My Ride.” Now the crew is back on the road to raise money for DMD research through sales of the "Darius Goes West" DVD.
If you missed the screening, you can see the film and help find a cure for DMD by purchasing a DVD. You'll help the crew reach the goal of selling 1 million copies in a year. Visit http://www.dariusgoeswest.org to learn more. Read the UDaily story about the visit by Darius and his crew.
Funding Awarded for Delaware Lifespan Respite Network
Delaware Caregivers Support Coalition, a coalition of consumers, service providers, and advocates, has received $292,000 in funding for the Delaware Lifespan Respite Information Network. Grants from three Delaware Foundations - Longwood, Welfare, and the Delaware Community Foundation - will help the coalition implement this plan for a statewide system to provide respite across the lifespan. Approximately 130,000 adults in Delaware provide unpaid support and care for a relative or a friend.
The Center for Disabilities Studies developed plans for the respite care information network in a 2007 report issued after receiving a contract from the Commission on Community-Based Alternatives for Persons with Disabilities for this purpose. The recommendations in the report included a three-year operational plan to make it easier for caregivers to engage respite services.
Subsequently, CDS worked with Easter Seals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Family & Workplace Connection (now a division of Children & Families First), and other coalition members to secure funding for the network.
Easter Seals is the lead agency for the project.
CDS begins Mammography Accessibility Project
The Healthy Delawareans with Disabilities: Bridging the Gap Project (HDWD:BtG) is partnering with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) on the Mammography Accessibility Project, through funding from a grant awarded to DBCC by the Avon Foundation. HDWD:BtG will conduct a needs assessment of women with disabilities to identify areas of concern around mammography access. Thirty-one mammography facilities in Delaware will be surveyed to assess their accessibility. At the conclusion of the study, an online directory of mammography facilities will be created to assist women with locating a facility that will meet their needs.
What’s Next?
Summer Transition Education Program (STEP)
July 12 - 17, 2009
Commission on Community-Based Alternatives for Persons with Disabilities
