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.

2025 Iowa LEND trainees - group photo taken outside CDD during orientation

Iowa's LEND

Iowa's 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. 

lizeth deleon uses distractions with a patient getting a vaccine.

CDD Autism Center

At the Center for Disabilities and Development, a team of specialists from a variety of disciplines works with patients and families to diagnose and treat autism. They help families find answers to their questions about autism, and address the many aspects of life touched by the disorder.

What's New at Iowa's UCEDD?

Iowa's University Center of Excellence for Development Disabilities (UCEDD) currently manages 12 contracts and grants that provide services and support for people with disabilities throughout the state. Visit our UCEDD webpages to catch up with our programs and projects.

INSTI camp kids at UIHC helipad

Accessibility is 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 welcome you to join us in prioritizing accessibility awareness and practice. 

CDD aligns with the University of Iowa’s commitment to ensuring the accessibility of electronic, information technology resources, and facilities used by members of the university community and general public.

Learn more: Understanding Accessibility

Main entrance to the Center for Disabilities and Development

400,000+

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

78

CDD is celebrating 78 years of service to Iowans with disabilities
Mike Hoenig demonstrates Braille to school children

12

Iowa's UCEDD manages federal, state and community contracts

CDD is Iowa's hub for interdisciplinary excellence in disabilities!

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 get updated information.

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

Michael "Mikey" Howell smiles as he sits outside on a metal bench

How Does Money Follows the Person Measure Success?

Iowa’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) program has been helping people make the transition from facilities to community living since 2008!

2025 Iowa LEND trainees - group photo taken outside CDD during orientation

Iowa LEND Trainees Close Out Their Academic Year

The 2025-2026 Iowa LEND trainees participated in the annual LEND Research Poster Symposium at the Center for Disabilities and Development. 

News

College Education Partners Develop Mental Health Training for First Responders

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Ted Abel appointed president and provost distinguished fellow

Monday, April 20, 2026

Events

Application Deadline: Obermann International Fellowships (Spring 2027) promotional image

Application Deadline: Obermann International Fellowships (Spring 2027)

Friday, September 18, 2026 11:59pm
111 Church Street

The UI Obermann Center for Advanced studies is accepting applications for Spring 2027 Obermann International Fellowships. This program offers dedicated space, time, and funding for interdisciplinary scholars to collaborate on innovative research at the University of Iowa. Up to eight international fellowships will be granted every academic year. Applicants must be active researchers at an accredited institution of higher learning outside of the United States or independent researchers/artists...

Application Deadline: Book Ends, Obermann Book Completion Workshop promotional image

Application Deadline: Book Ends, Obermann Book Completion Workshop

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 5:00pm
Virtual

Books Ends supports University of Iowa faculty from disciplines in which publishing a monograph is required for tenure and promotion. The award is designed to assist UI faculty members with significant research responsibilities turn promising manuscripts into important, field-changing, published books.

Book Ends brings together a panel of senior scholars for a candid, constructive three-hour workshop on a faculty member’s book manuscript. The award provides a $500 honorarium for two external...

Application Deadline: Obermann Interdisciplinary Research Grants (Summer 2027) promotional image

Application Deadline: Obermann Interdisciplinary Research Grants (Summer 2027)

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 5:00pm
111 Church Street

Obermann Interdisciplinary Research Grants (IDRG) foster collaborative scholarship and creative work by offering recipients time and space to exchange new ideas leading to invention, creation, and publication. IDRG groups work at the Obermann Center for two weeks, usually in July and/or August. Applicants propose work on a project with colleagues from across the University, across disciplines within their own department, or with colleagues from other parts of the country or the world. Projects...

Learn about us!

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