At the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), we work together so that Iowans with disabilities and their families enjoy healthy, independent lives in the community.

CDD is home to Iowa's tertiary level evaluation and diagnosis center and clinics, Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Iowa's Leadership Education in Developmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program, and Iowa's Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (Hawk-IDDRC). 

Main entrance to the Center for Disabilities and Development

CDD Clinical Services

The Center for Disabilities and Development Clinical Services are delivered at a variety of clinics based at CDD. Clinicians interact to provide patients and families the benefits of multidisciplinary care. 

Taking Charge of My Health webinar session

Iowa's UCEDD

Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) provides services and supports, training and information, for Iowans with disabilities, their families and providers.

ILEND trainee cohort 2024-2025

Iowa's LEND

The interdisciplinary LEND program improves the lives of people with disabilities across the lifespan by training pre-service professionals to assume leadership roles in their disciplines.

Girl's profile over an colorful puzzled background used for webinar promotion

Hawk-IDDRC

Based at CDD, Iowa's Hawkeye Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, the Hawk-IDDRC, is one of only 15 IDDRCs in the country. 

Top of Mind at CDD

Every day at the Center for Disabilities and Development, we focus on our far-reaching vision of all people with disabilities living healthy and independent lives. But throughout each day, we focus on the many things we can do to bring that vision to life. We keep these things “top of mind” to guide us in our work. As we work together in 2025, CDD is keeping “accessibility” top of mind. We are prioritizing accessibility awareness and practice in our work each day. 

Accessibility Tip Sharing for Your Practice

Different document formats pose different accessibility challenges and opportunities. Check out these UI articles that showcase tips and techniques for accessibility across a spectrum of document formats, tools, and technologies.

Accessibility@IOWA - Document Accessibility

Main entrance to the Center for Disabilities and Development

23 %

of Iowans have a disability

Campers from Iowa's 2023 National Summer Transportation Institute explore bridges in Kent State Park

75

CDD is celebrating 75 years of service to Iowans with disabilities

Mike Hoenig demonstrates Braille to school children

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Iowa's UCEDD manages federal, state and community contracts

Have you seen us lately? CDD celebrates seven decades!

CDD Spotlight

The CDD Spotlight highlights unique services and programs, trending topics, policymaking at the state and federal levels, and disability issues we emphasize in our daily work.

We built a CDD Spotlight Archive where you can find previously spotlighted features, revisit news about services and programs, and find updated information.

Visit the Spotlight again soon to see what's new!

UI Staff Excellence Awards Are Announced in Spring 2025

Judy Warth Receives Staff Council Award

Following 30 years of service to people with disabilities, CDD program manager Judy Warth has been honored with the 2025 Board of Regents Staff Excellence Award.

Hawk IDDRC pilot grant researcher looks in microscope

IDDRC Announces 2025 Winners!

Our Hawk-IDDRC has identified two innovative research projects to receive funding as pilot grant projects. One could become the next Hawk-IDDRC Research Project.

Events

Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival promotional image

Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival

Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27, 2025 (all day)
Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building
The Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival (ICDOCS) is an annual event run by students at the University of Iowa. Our mission is to engage local audiences with the exhibition of recent short films that explore the boundaries of nonfiction filmmaking. We seek innovative new works of 30 minutes or less that both complicate and expand upon conventional approaches to nonfiction and documentary.The festival runs from April 25 at 3 p.m. to April 27 at 9 p.m. with 7 different competitive...
Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival promotional image

Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival

Saturday, April 26 to Sunday, April 27, 2025 (all day)
Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building
The Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival (ICDOCS) is an annual event run by students at the University of Iowa. Our mission is to engage local audiences with the exhibition of recent short films that explore the boundaries of nonfiction filmmaking. We seek innovative new works of 30 minutes or less that both complicate and expand upon conventional approaches to nonfiction and documentary.The festival runs from April 25 at 3 p.m. to April 27 at 9 p.m. with 7 different competitive...
Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival promotional image

Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival

Sunday, April 27, 2025 (all day)
Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building
The Iowa City International Documentary Film Festival (ICDOCS) is an annual event run by students at the University of Iowa. Our mission is to engage local audiences with the exhibition of recent short films that explore the boundaries of nonfiction filmmaking. We seek innovative new works of 30 minutes or less that both complicate and expand upon conventional approaches to nonfiction and documentary.The festival runs from April 25 at 3 p.m. to April 27 at 9 p.m. with 7 different competitive...

Learn about us!

CDD serves patients and families, community members, pre-service trainees, and researchers.