Community Advisory Board

The Munroe-Meyer Institute receives federal funding for and is designated as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities by the Administration on Disabilities. Because of this designation, the Developmental Disabilities Act requires MMI's UCEDD to have a Community Advisory Board.

Learn more about the Developmental Disabilities Act (or DD Act).

Structure

The Developmental Disabilities Act specifies that the Community Advisory Board must be a majority of people with developmental disabilities and family members of such individuals and that the committee must reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the state. Additionally, it is encouraged that board members include representatives from the following areas.

• Individuals with developmental and related disabilities.
• Family members of individuals with developmental disabilities.
• A representative of:
  • A self-advocacy organization.
  • The State protection and advocacy system.
  • The State Council on Developmental Disabilities.
  • Organizations that may include parent training and information, centers, entities carrying out the Assistive Technology Act, and other community groups concerned with the welfare of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

General Purpose, Mission and Goals

The Community Advisory Board serves in an advisory role, assisting the UCEDD director and staff with the mission and activities of the UCEDD.

In order to understand the needs of the local disability community and positively impact their lives through our work, it is essential to listen to those who are most affected. The Community Advisory Board is designed so that individuals with disabilities and their family members are actively involved in the decisions that affect them.

MMI’s services, interdisciplinary education, research, outreach and technical assistance programs have been developed with the support and guidance of individuals with disabilities and family members. This helps to ensure the promotion of independence, inclusion and productivity of individuals with disabilities.

Board Meetings

The Community Advisory Board meets quarterly or as otherwise necessary. The board is staffed by a family coordinator to the UCEDD, whose primary position objective is to support the consumer-related concerns of the center and institute.

Board Activities

• Assist in setting priorities for UCEDD activities.
• Review and recommend revisions to the UCEDD’s mission statement.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the UCEDD’s programmatic activities.
• Assist in UCEDD policy development as it relates to UCEDD activities and services.
• Provide input and assistance in developing proposals for specific initiatives.
• Provide linkages with other relevant programs, organizations or networks to facilitate collaborative activities.
• Advocate for and on behalf of the UCEDD.