Disability Resources

The ACL is the federal agency that works with UCEDDs across the country to provide resources and services to people with disabilities. It evolved out of the movement to deinstitutionalize children and adults with disabilities with the desire to keep people support and integrated into their communities. The Trump Administration will be closing the ACL and says they will move its programs to other parts of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

"Since 1963, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) have worked towards a shared vision that foresees a nation in which all Americans, including Americans with disabilities, participate fully in their communities. Independence, productivity, and community inclusion are key components of this vision." - About UCEDDs

There are 68 UCEDDs, at least one in every US state and terriority. 

In early May, it was leaked that the Trump administration desires to completely eliminate all federal funding for UCEDDs across the country. 

"Savings come from eliminating radical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory programs, which weaponized large swaths of the Federal Government against the American people and moving programs that are better suited for States and localities to provide. The budget eliminates funding for the LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program, Community Services Block Grant programs, Transitional Medical Services for refugees, Refugee Social Services, Chronic Disease Self-Management Education, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Limb Loss Resource, Paralysis Resource Center, Voting Access for People with Disabilities, and the White House Conference on Aging." - 2026 HHS President's Budget rationale for ending all funding for UCEDDs. 

Plain Language Summary

"The Administration announced the President’s budget for 2026. The President’s budget is a suggestion to Congress for how they spend money in agencies and programs, including those that help people with disabilities. AUCD is worried about the budget that came out because the budget would not give any money to the University Centers of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs). The UCEDDs do a lot of important work for people with disabilities and their families and have had support from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Now, it is up to Congress how they give money to important programs like UCEDDs. AUCD does not want Congress to follow this budget suggestion because it will be extremely harmful to people with disabilities in lots of ways, including getting rid of UCEDDs."