Welcome
We hope you find our website informative, inspiring and illustrative of our long-standing commitment to improving health and quality of life for Oregonians with disabilities, and their families, across the lifespan.
We listen to our community and encourage you to contact us with any comments, questions or concerns you might have related to the UCEDD or people experiencing disabilities in our state.
and Melanie Fried-Oken, Ph.D., C.C.C./Sp. (left)
Who we are
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities are organizations, located at universities across the nation, that focus on improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Through education, service, research and outreach activities, they work to be instrumental in changing policy, providing training, and educating the public about disability issues.
The OHSU UCEDD was one of the first UCEDDs created, and celebrates a nearly 50-year history in Oregon. We are instrumental in developing and leading disability research and outreach efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families across the State of Oregon.
What's happening - current news
UCEDD joins community leaders united against hate
The UCEDD's Director signed on to a joint statement by elected officials and civil society groups to condemn white nationalism and other movements that use bigotry to build political power. We call on our colleagues in government, in the business community, in faith communities, in organized labor and nonprofits across Oregon to join us. When we all come together, there is no room for hate or violence.
DD Network addresses Governor Brown
The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, alongside our DD network partners Disability Rights Oregon, the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the University of Oregon Center on Human Development, wrote a letter to Governor Brown regarding Oregon’s COVID-19 response and planning for people with disabilities and their families. Read the letter to Governor Brown here
Bloomberg News produced a video about Dr. Melanie Fried-Oken's Brain Computer Interface work
Recent quarterly newsletters:
DD Awareness Month OHSU Week podcast
Summer Internship Program featured in OHSU Week Podcast:
National network newsletters featuring our center:
COVID-19 resources for people with disabilities
Click here for more information specific to people with disabilities or click the banner at the top of the page for OHSU COVID-19 information
Check out our new Telehealth and You video resources
COVID-19 Vaccine Information in Plain Language from Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)
Connect with us
Subscribe to email announcements
Click below to sign up for our quarterly newsletter and more.
Four Wheeling Through Life
Jan Staehely - UCEDD Staff, Communication Consultant and Blogger, writes about her life in her blog Four Wheeling Through Life. "I have a disability called Cerebral Palsy. Since all four of my limbs, plus my speech is affected by the disability, doctors say that I am severely disabled. However, if you ask me, I will tell you that there are people living with more complex disabilities than me."
Events and announcements
Celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act turns 30!
The UCEDD, in partnership with our DD Network including the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and Disability Rights Oregon celebrated the 30th birthday of the ADA during the week of July 20-24th sharing video interviews with Oregon legislators, self-advocates, and the renowned Liz Weintraub from “Tuesdays with Liz.” Then on Friday we held an ADA Roundtable on voting rights including presentations and discussion.
Watch all the videos:
Interview with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden