The purpose of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) (42 U.S.C. 15001) is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion in all facets of community life, through culturally competent programs. To achieve this purpose, Section 151(b) of the DD Act authorizes grants to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs) to carry out national training initiatives on critical and emerging needs for people with developmental disabilities. Subject to the availability of appropriations following the awarding of UCEDD core grant awards, the Administration for Community Living will make one or more grants to UCEDDs to pay for the Federal share of the cost of training initiatives related to the unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families
