Research Project: University Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University
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- Stough, Laura
- Orsag
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Abstract or Project Summary
The Center on Disability and Development (CDD) at Texas A&M University is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), one of 67 UCEDDs in the country. The CDD is applying for a five-year core grant award for the period from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020. To meet the purpose of the Developmental Disabilities Act, the CDD utilized a comprehensive and need oriented approach in identifying its goals, objectives, and activities for the five-year plan, which is also based on the CDD mission and the needs of Texans with disabilities and their families. The mission of the CDD is to support the self-determination, community integration, and quality of life people with developmental disabilities and their families. This mission will be implemented through a five-year action plan that addresses two emphasis areas (Education and Early Intervention and Community Quality of Life) and four overarching goals which correspond to the four core functions: Goal 1: Interdisciplinary Pre-service Training; Goal 2: Community Services, Training, and Technical Assistance;
Goal 3: Research and Evaluation; and Goal 4: Information Dissemination.
The CDD’s Interdisciplinary Pre-service Training efforts will be accomplished through six major objectives. These include partnerships with the TAMU Special Education Program to offer a Master’s degree in Special Education, to provide Board Certified Behavior Analyst training to Master’s level students, and to
provide specialized and advanced training to doctoral students. The CDD will also provide postsecondary education training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The CDD’s efforts in the Community Services, Training, and Technical Assistance area will be accomplished through ten major objectives. Through these objectives, the CDD will provide various training to thousands of individuals with disabilities, family members, and professionals across the states. These trainings will cover the following topics: (a) best practices in transition services, (b) leadership and advocacy skills, (c) support for high school completion and pursuing postsecondary education, (d) independent living skills, (e) best practices in supporting students with behavioral challenges, (f) person centered planning, (g) direct support professionals, (h)accommodations and adaptations in farming, and (i) positive behavioral support in rural healthcare services.
The CDD’s research and evaluation efforts will be accomplished through six major objectives. One line of research examines effective practices for teaching literacy skills to young children and adolescents with or at risk of reading difficulties, with an emphasis on identifying evidence-based practices for young children from ethnically/linguistically diverse backgrounds. Another line of research identifies effective practices to improve academic, socio-behavioral, and postsecondary outcomes for students with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities. The CDD’s information dissemination efforts will be accomplished through three major objectives. These include engagement in an array of strategies to disseminate the CDD’s work broadly to constituents locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. The CDD will also partner with Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s Career and Technical Special Populations Training and Resource Center to provide resources and training for educators and parents in order to increase access, retention, and success in career and
technical education programs for students with disabilities and other special needs. In addition, the CDD will engage in specific activities to educate and disseminate information to state legislators and
members of Congress.
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Grant