The Multi-Disciplinary UCEDD

1
The Multi-Disciplinary UCEDD

• David T. Mitchell, Executive Director
• Institute on Disabilities
• Temple University

2
Future development of UCEDDs

• Under-development of pre-service educational
  training initiative within universities
• Need to transform universities as well as
  communities
• Disability Studies as expertise for
  disability-based professionals

3
Cross-Disciplinary Expertise

• Cross-disciplinary expertise of UCEDDs allow them
  to function like interdisciplinary departments
• Exert influence across every discipline
• Course infusions course hosting
• Disability into diversity missions of university

4
Professionalization

• Professionalization of students with disabilities
  at highest level of academy
• Professions that traditionally oversee pwds
  should be actively seeking to train those who
  form the base of clientele
• Transformation of devalued experience into
  scholarly contribution (site of knowledge
  production vs. object of intervention)

5
Systemic Accessibility

• Need to implement systemic accessibility (design,
  operations, supports) parallel to ILCs
• UCEDDs must become proactive employers of pwds
  particularly at the highest levels of management
• On-Site PAs travel-related assistance
• Accessible tech for all UCEDD operations
• Proactive employment staff should reflect
  clientele
• Current directors stepping down need to turn
  network into less exclusive club (move to
  identity-based network for future generations of
  leaders)