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Generating knowledge to support the independence and inclusion of people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in all aspects of community life

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Disability Exchange (DX) Podcast

The DX podcast is produced and presented by Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (Iowa’s UCEDD) at the Center for Disabilities and Development. Join UCEDD staff and podcast co-hosts—Mike Hoenig, Laury Scheidler, and Judy Warth—for the series.

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UCEDD Spotlight

2024 Healy Award Winners

The Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) is very proud to announce that the 2024 recipients of the Alfred Healy Leadership Award in Developmental Disabilities are Ashley Augustine, MSW, and Rohit Nair, BDS, MDS. The Alfred Healy Leadership Award seeks to nurture in recipients a life-long commitment to leadership in developmental disabilities to carry on Dr. Healy’s legacy for future generations.

Dr. Healy was a world-renowned pediatrician and educator who devoted his life to caring for children with developmental disabilities. He served as the director of CDD, Iowa’s nationally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, from 1977 until he retired in 1998.

The Time to be Awesome is NOW!

Thirteen youth and young adults, ranging in age from 14 to 21, recently graduated from Iowa’s Youth Leadership Academy (YLA). Meeting virtually, the trainees spent a week developing leadership, communication, and networking skills to use as they advocate for themselves, and for others in their communities.

Program coordinator Mike Hoenig and self-advocacy coordinator Ed Esbeck led participants through the training again this year.

The graduation ceremony took place at the State
Historical Society Museum and virtually. Graduates received diplomas and wore t-shirts that said, "THE TIME TO BE AWESOME IS NOW.”